Beverage Preparation Machine Pre-Piercing for Capsule Code Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage preparation machines face challenges in accurately reading machine-readable codes on deformable capsules due to inflation caused by altitude differences, leading to incorrect code reading and potential damage during the process.
Innovation Solution
A beverage preparation machine with a pre-piercing arrangement that deflates the capsule before code reading, ensuring optimal contact between the code reader and the capsule, while maintaining the integrity of the capsule and its contents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a beverage preparation machine is integrated into a refrigerator or freezer compartment, then the beverage can be kept cold, but the machine becomes inoperable when the compartment door is opened due to temperature fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage preparation machine is divided into separate functional modules: a temperature maintenance unit that keeps the beverage cold and a heating unit that can rapidly heat the beverage when needed. This segmentation allows the machine to maintain cooling continuously while enabling on-demand heating without being affected by door opening temperature fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The beverage is pre-cooled to the desired temperature before the user requests preparation. When the user initiates a beverage preparation, the system rapidly heats the pre-cooled beverage to the target temperature. This preliminary cooling action ensures the beverage is ready for quick heating, reducing the impact of temperature fluctuations from door openings.
2Productivity
If the beverage is pre-cooled in the refrigerator compartment, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the beverage temperature may drop below the desired range and require longer heating time
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates temperature sensors that continuously monitor the beverage temperature during pre-cooling. When the beverage reaches the optimal temperature range for rapid heating, the system automatically stops the pre-cooling process and prepares for heating. This feedback control prevents over-cooling and optimizes the heating time by stopping pre-cooling at the ideal temperature point.
3Speed
If the machine uses rapid heating to compensate for temperature fluctuations, then the beverage can be prepared quickly, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system uses dynamic power control that adjusts the heating power based on the temperature difference between the current beverage temperature and the target temperature. When the beverage is close to the target temperature, the system reduces heating power to minimize energy consumption. This dynamic adjustment enables rapid heating when needed while reducing energy waste when the beverage is already near the desired temperature.
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
Ensures accurate reading of machine-readable codes on deformable capsules by preventing deformation-induced errors and maintaining capsule integrity, facilitating efficient beverage extraction.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element arranged to heat the beverage in the beverage receptacle to a target temperature
Implementation Method 2
a sensor in the form of a thermistor arranged to detect a beverage temperature of the beverage in the beverage receptacle
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~3
AI summary
The invention concerns a a beverage preparation machine and a pod containing a beverage ingredient, wherein a machine-readable code (34) storing preparation information is arranged on the surface of at least one of the enclosing walls, wherein the beverage preparation machine comprises : - an extraction device for extracting a beverage from the pod, and - a code reading system to read the code of the pod, and wherein the code reading system includes a code reader (9) and a positioning mechanism to move the pod and the code reader relative to each other :. from a holding position, in which the pod is separated from a reading head (91) of the code reader,. to a reading position, in which the code of the pod is in contact with the reading head, and wherein the beverage preparation machine comprises a pre-piercing arrangement (28) configured to pierce the pod before the code of the pod is read in the reading position.