Beverage Dispenser Pump Gas Exhaust Sensor for Sold-Out Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional post-mix beverage dispensing systems rely on expensive pressure switches to determine when a beverage concentrate is empty, leading to high maintenance costs and inefficiencies in managing inventory and user selection.
Innovation Solution
A cost-effective method using a sensing apparatus that monitors the behavior of a pump to differentiate between fluid displacement and air displacement, generating signals to determine if the beverage concentrate source is filled or empty, preventing users from selecting sold-out beverages through a user interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressure switches are used to detect empty beverage sources, then detection reliability is improved, but maintenance costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from complex pressure switch systems and implements it through a simplified sensor-based approach that monitors pump operation parameters directly, eliminating the need for separate pressure detection components
Solution Approach 2:
The pump motor serves multiple functions: it both dispenses the beverage and provides detection data through its operational parameters. The same motor that drives the pump also generates the electrical signals used to detect empty sources, eliminating the need for separate detection mechanisms
2Reliability
If pressure switches are used to detect empty beverage sources, then detection reliability is improved, but maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive pressure switches with more economical sensor components that can be easily replaced. The sensor-based system uses standard electrical sensors rather than specialized pressure detection equipment, reducing both initial cost and maintenance expenses
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-detection by monitoring its own operational parameters. The pump motor's electrical characteristics automatically indicate when the beverage source is empty, eliminating the need for separate detection systems that require external maintenance
3Device complexity
If pump behavior monitoring is used to detect empty sources, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors pump motor electrical parameters and uses feedback control to detect changes indicating empty sources. By monitoring current draw, voltage, or power consumption in real-time, the system achieves precise detection despite using simpler components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent detects empty sources by monitoring changes in electrical parameters of the pump motor rather than using dedicated mechanical sensors. Changes in current, voltage, or power consumption provide precise detection signals while maintaining system simplicity
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
This solution reduces maintenance costs and improves inventory management by accurately detecting empty beverage sources, ensuring users cannot select unavailable options, thus optimizing the dispensing system's operation and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
A sensing apparatus that monitors the pump gas exhaust behavior generates a signal based on the pump gas exhaust behavior and an algorithm can compare the generated signal to identify the supply condition of the pump
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method of determining a sold-out state of a beverage dispenser is provided. The method includes providing a beverage dispenser including a pump having a gas exhaust port, a dispensing valve, and a sensor disposed on the pump gas exhaust port. The method may include activating the beverage dispenser to dispense a beverage through the dispensing valve and during the activating, sensing a gas exhaust pattern of the pump. The method may also include generating a signal based on the sensed gas exhaust pattern and determining whether the beverage dispenser is in a normal-pour state or a sold-out state. The method may also include providing feedback about the sold-out state to a user interface of the beverage dispenser.