Beverage supply apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage supply apparatuses face detection operation failures and damage due to condensation water from external air ingress when measuring devices, such as capacitance type sensors or weight scales, are installed within the storage chamber of cooling devices.
Innovation Solution
A beverage supply apparatus with a detection device that uses a multilayer partition wall and light guide bodies to project and receive light externally, preventing condensation water from adhering to the detection components and ensuring reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the measuring device is installed in the storage chamber of the cooling device, then the remaining amount of liquid beverage can be measured, but condensation water adheres to the measuring device due to ingress of external air, causing detection operation failure and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device is extracted from the storage chamber and relocated to the exterior. The light projection unit and light receiving unit are positioned outside the storage chamber, with light guides penetrating through the partition wall to transmit light through the liquid beverage container. This extraction eliminates the harmful effect of condensation water while preserving the measurement function.
Solution Approach 2:
Light guides serve as intermediaries between the exterior detection device and the interior liquid beverage container. The light guides penetrate the partition wall and transmit light through the container, enabling indirect measurement from the exterior without direct contact between the detection device and the condensation-prone interior environment.
2Reliability
If the detection device is placed outside the storage chamber, then condensation water cannot adhere to it, but the structure becomes more complex with light guides penetrating the partition wall
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall serves multiple functions: it provides thermal insulation for the storage chamber, structural support for the cooling device, and a transmission path for light guides. By utilizing the existing partition wall for light transmission, the patent avoids adding separate complex structures while achieving the detection function from the exterior.
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
Prevents detection operation failures and damage by keeping the light projection and receiving units outside the storage chamber, maintaining detection accuracy and extending the lifespan of the detection device.
Implementation Method 1
the light projection unit projects light toward the liquid beverage container via the first light guide body; the light receiving unit can receive the light transmitted through the liquid beverage container via the second light guide body
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage supply apparatus includes cooling device 6, milk tank 5 in storage chamber 6a of cooling device 6, and detection device 7 that detects the milk. Detection device 7 has first light guide body 7c to penetrate partition wall 12 having a multilayer box body that partitions storage chamber 6a, second light guide body 7d to penetrate partition wall 12 which faces first light guide body 7c, light projection unit 7a attached to partition-wall outer-surface-side end of first light guide body 7c to project light via the body 7c, and light receiving unit 7b attached to the partition-wall outer-surface-side end of second light guide body 7d to receive light transmitted through milk tank 5 via second light guide body 7d. The detection device detects the presence or absence of or the remaining amount of milk based on a light reception state in the light receiving unit 7b.