Capsule Identification Contacts With Waterproof Circuit Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Humidity from beverage preparation processes can penetrate the resilient support member and affect the circuitry of beverage production machines, leading to incorrect identification of capsules after producing more than 2000 beverages.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a waterproof material layer between the resilient support member and the discrete conductive parts in the contact means of the beverage production machine, which includes displaceable probes and a resilient support member, effectively isolates the circuitry from humidity and allows for accurate identification of capsule information through a coded surface structure on the capsule.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a resilient support member is used to provide elasticity to the probe and insulate the circuitry, then the probe can return to a non-contact position and provide insulation, but humidity can penetrate the resilient support member after producing more than 2000 beverages, affecting the circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
A waterproof material layer is introduced as an intermediary between the resilient support member and the circuitry. This intermediate layer specifically blocks humidity penetration while allowing the resilient support member to maintain its insulating and elastic functions. The waterproof layer acts as a mediator that protects the circuitry from the harmful effect of humidity without interfering with the normal operation of the probe mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure becomes a composite system combining the resilient support member (providing elasticity and primary insulation) with a waterproof material layer (providing humidity barrier). This composite structure leverages the complementary properties of different materials to simultaneously achieve mechanical flexibility, electrical insulation, and humidity protection.
2Ease of operation
If the resilient support member is made of silicone material to provide elasticity and insulation, then the probe can function properly, but humidity can still pass through the resilient support member, leading to wrong identification
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof material layer serves as a protective intermediary between the silicone resilient support member and the circuitry. It allows the silicone member to maintain its elastic properties for probe operation while blocking humidity from reaching the circuitry, thus preserving both ease of operation and identification accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the probe is resiliably positioned at a distance from the circuitry to enable return to non-contact position, then the probe can be selectively moved into contact with the circuitry, but the circuitry remains vulnerable to humidity from the capsule
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof material layer acts as a continuous protective intermediary between the circuitry and the humid environment of the capsule. It allows the probe to maintain its selective contact capability through the resilient support member while the waterproof layer blocks humidity from reaching the circuitry regardless of the probe's position.
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 prevents humidity from reaching the circuitry, ensuring accurate capsule identification and operation of the beverage production machine for over 6000 beverages without issues, allowing for precise control of parameters like temperature and brewing time.
Implementation Method 1
a waterproof material layer between the resilient support member and the discrete conductive parts
Implementation Method 2
The displaceable probes are resiliably positioned at a distance of a circuitry of the machine control means and are selectively moved into contact with said circuitry depending on their contact with the recesses or the holes
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a beverage production system comprising beverage ingredient containing capsules (1) comprising an identification member (6) and a beverage production machine for receiving said capsules, said machine comprising:—contact means (8) for physically contacting the capsule identification member (6) in order to read information thereof and—control means connected to the contact means and designed to control the operation of the beverage production machine (11) in response to the read information, the contact means (8) comprising:—at least one displaceable probe (81) which mechanically contacts the capsule identification member (6),—a resilient support member (82) in contact with the probe on one side and associated to a circuitry (9) on its other side, the parts of said resilient support member in contact with the probe presenting a shape able to be deformed,—discrete conductive parts (121) between the resilient support member (82) and the circuitry (9), wherein the contact means (8) comprises a waterproof material layer (12) between the resilient support member (82) and the discrete conductive parts (121).