Beverage Dispenser Portion Control Using Cup Mass Prediction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage dispensing systems require manual supervision for accurate portion control, especially when dealing with varying cup sizes and ice content, which hinders efficiency and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A beverage dispenser equipped with a mass sensor and advanced portion control system that predicts cup size and adjusts beverage dispensing accordingly, allowing unattended operation and precise volume control based on cup mass measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual supervision is used for portion control, then accuracy of beverage dispensing is improved, but operational efficiency and flexibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveportion control accuracyVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The beverage dispenser performs self-measurement of cup mass and self-regulation of dispensing volume without manual intervention. The system automatically detects cup placement, measures initial mass, determines target volume based on cup characteristics, and controls the dispensing process autonomously, eliminating the need for manual supervision while maintaining portion control accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors cup mass during dispensing and adjusts the dispensing rate and total volume accordingly. By comparing real-time mass measurements against target values and cup characteristics, the system provides closed-loop feedback control that ensures accurate portioning while operating automatically

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If fixed dispensing volume is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to varying cup sizes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing control simplicityVSAvoidcup size adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the dispensing volume parameter based on measured cup mass and detected cup characteristics. Instead of using a fixed volume, the controller adjusts the target dispensing volume as a variable parameter determined by the specific cup being used, enabling adaptation to various cup sizes while maintaining relatively simple dispensing mechanics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The dispensing system transitions from static fixed-volume control to dynamic adaptive control. The system continuously adjusts dispensing parameters during operation based on real-time mass measurements and cup identification, allowing the same device to handle varying cup sizes without manual reconfiguration or complex mechanical adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If unattended operation is implemented, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidcup mass measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary measurement of cup mass before dispensing begins and uses this initial measurement to determine the appropriate dispensing volume and control parameters. By establishing the baseline cup mass in advance, the system can accurately calculate the beverage volume needed without requiring continuous high-precision monitoring during the entire dispensing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system measures cup mass with high precision during the critical initial phase (before and during early dispensing) when the most information is needed, but can tolerate reduced measurement precision during later stages when the cup is already filled. This partial high-precision approach maintains accuracy where it matters most while reducing overall measurement demands

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 efficient and flexible beverage dispensing by accurately filling cups of varying sizes and ice content without manual supervision, enhancing operational efficiency and crew member flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

a mass sensor configured to measure a mass of the cup placed thereon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS12583731B2Beverage dispenser with advanced portion control and point-of-sale integration

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 THE COCA COLA CO

AI summary

A beverage dispensing system is configured to facilitate communication between a point-of-sale terminal and a beverage dispenser for receiving and fulfilling beverage orders. The dispensing system comprises a translation server that maps beverage orders between the point-of-sale entry data and beverage dispenser recipe data. An automatic portion control (APC) assembly comprises a mass sensor that is configured to determine a mass of a cup resting thereon. Using the mass of the cup, the dispenser makes a cup size prediction and performs portion control dispensing operations. Based on the cup size prediction, a user interface is modified to allow for quicker interactions. The APC assembly is positioned beneath a nozzle of the beverage dispenser and comprises a removable platform assembly magnetically coupled to a mass sensor assembly. The mass sensor assembly comprises a load cell or other mass sensor.