Beverage Machine Container Volume Detection for Flavor Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage vending machines struggle to accurately calculate the volume of asymmetrically shaped containers and adjust beverage flavor intensity accordingly, leading to inconsistent beverage dispensing.
Innovation Solution
A method and control unit that detect the outer and inner heights of containers using sensors, dispense a controlled liquid quantity, and calculate volume, allowing for precise adjustment of beverage flavor intensity based on container shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed beverage quantity is dispensed into all containers, then the dispensing process is simple and fast, but the flavor intensity becomes inconsistent across different container sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the beverage dispensing quantity based on the detected container volume and shape. Instead of using a fixed quantity, the control unit calculates the optimal volume for each container and adjusts the dispensing parameters accordingly, ensuring consistent flavor intensity across different container types while maintaining operational simplicity through automated adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensor feedback to detect container characteristics (outer height, inner height, volume) and feeds this information back to the control unit. The control unit then uses this feedback to calculate and adjust the appropriate beverage quantity and flavor intensity settings, creating a closed-loop system that ensures consistent beverage quality across varying container configurations.
2Reliability
If the beverage quantity is adjusted for each container, then flavor intensity consistency is improved, but the dispensing time increases due to individual calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and calculation of container volume and characteristics before the actual dispensing process. By detecting the outer height, calculating inner height, and determining the optimal beverage quantity in advance, the system prepares all necessary parameters beforehand, allowing for rapid dispensing without compromising flavor consistency or requiring time-consuming adjustments during the dispensing process itself.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standard container shapes are used, then the system operation is simple, but the versatility for different container types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a universal detection and calculation approach that can handle various container types (cylindrical, conical, asymmetric) using the same sensor and calculation methodology. The control unit calculates inner height and volume based on detected outer dimensions and liquid level feedback, applying a unified algorithm that adapts to different geometries without requiring container-specific programming or multiple specialized sensors, thus achieving high versatility with moderate system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate volume calculation and flavor adjustment for both symmetric and asymmetric containers, ensuring consistent beverage quality and reducing the need for time-consuming recalibration.
Implementation Method 1
detecting, via an interface to a sensor device (120) of the beverage vending machine (100), the outer height of the container (105)
Implementation Method 2
The liquid quantity can be controlled by a flow sensor in the vending machine
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for calculating the volume of a vessel (105) for a beverage vending machine (100), wherein the method comprises a step of detecting the outer height (210) of the vessel (105) via an interface to a sensor device (120) of the beverage vending machine (100), a step of dispensing a specific quantity of liquid into the vessel (105) via a spout (110) of the beverage vending machine (100), and a step of determining at least a residual inner height of the vessel (105). The residual inner height represents a residual distance between the liquid surface of the dispensed quantity of liquid in the vessel (105) and a vessel rim (212). Furthermore, the method comprises a step of calculating the vessel volume using the determined quantity of liquid and the residual inner height.