Beverage Spout Capacitive Cup Detection for Safe Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beverage makers lack effective detection of a cup under the spout, leading to potential user soiling or scalding, and existing solutions with multiple sensors can cause mechanical malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A beverage maker equipped with a capacitive sensor device at the front to detect the presence and type of vessel, ensuring safe operation by only releasing the tapping process when a suitable vessel is present, and optionally including a second sensor for vessel height detection to adjust dispensing height and flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional devices are used without detection mechanisms, then the device is simple and inexpensive, but the user may be soiled or scalded due to undetected absence of cup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical detection systems (such as mechanical switches or contact-based sensors) with a capacitive sensor that detects the presence of a cup through electrical field changes. This substitution maintains safety functionality while reducing mechanical complexity and potential mechanical failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive sensor acts as an intermediary between the user's cup placement and the beverage dispensing system. It detects the dielectric changes caused by the cup's presence and translates them into control signals, enabling safe operation without direct mechanical contact or complex mechanical linkages.
2Reliability
If mechanical switches are used to detect vessel presence, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases and mechanical malfunctions may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent explicitly replaces mechanical switches with a capacitive sensing system that detects vessel presence through changes in electrical field capacitance. This eliminates moving parts, mechanical contact wear, and potential mechanical malfunctions while maintaining reliable detection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical detection system with an electrical field-based capacitive sensor that measures changes in capacitance caused by the dielectric properties of different vessel materials, eliminating mechanical components entirely.
3Adaptability or versatility
If ultrasonic sensor devices are used for height detection, then vessel detection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple sensors and mechanical connections
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive sensor is designed to detect multiple types of vessels (glass, ceramic, plastic, metal) by measuring changes in dielectric constant, making it a universal detection solution that replaces the need for multiple specialized sensors while maintaining adaptability across different vessel materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the detection of vessel presence, vessel type identification, and height measurement into a single capacitive sensor system, eliminating the need for separate ultrasonic sensors and mechanical height-adjustment mechanisms, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
4Ease of manufacture
If the sensor device is placed on the front wall panel, then cleaning accessibility is improved, but the exterior appearance may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive sensor is integrated into a specific local area of the front wall panel, allowing the majority of the exterior surface to maintain its aesthetic design while providing a dedicated zone for sensor functionality that remains accessible for cleaning and maintenance.
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 safe and flexible operation by preventing liquid spillage and scalding, allowing only correct vessel use, with simplified assembly and maintenance, and precise control of the dispensing process.
Implementation Method 1
A capacitive sensor device (6) is provided at the front (5), which is designed to detect the presence of a vessel (7) positioned under the outlet (3)
Implementation Method 2
the sensor device is designed in such a way to detect vessels of different types positioned under the outlet. This ensures flexible use of the beverage maker since the user can use different vessels, with the sensor device only detecting the presence of a vessel
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a beverage maker (1) with a main body (2) having a front (5) on which a spout (3) for dispensing a beverage and an operating device of the beverage maker (1) is arranged, wherein a capacitive sensor device (6) is further provided on the front (5) which is designed to detect the presence of a vessel (7) positioned under the spout.