Image acquisition device and apparatus for making a beverage, comprising said image acquisition device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage-making apparatuses face issues with optical capsule recognition due to poor lighting and contamination, leading to errors in code reading, as the lighting elements produce reflections and the reading device can become dirty and clogged with residues.
Innovation Solution
An image acquisition device with a box-shaped casing featuring a transparent front wall and lateral light guides to protect and clean the optical sensor, providing side lighting that minimizes reflections and prevents dirt accumulation, while the light guide reduces light dispersion and maintains the device's cleanliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If lighting elements are positioned to illuminate the capsule during reading, then the capsule is adequately lit for optical recognition, but reflections are produced on the shiny plastic lid that interfere with the optical reading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning lighting elements at specific locations (laterally adjacent to the reading device) rather than uniformly illuminating the capsule. This localized lighting approach directs light from the side, illuminating the capsule surface while minimizing direct reflections into the optical sensor, thus resolving the contradiction between adequate illumination and reflection interference.
2Ease of operation
If the reading device is positioned inside the apparatus near the infusion chamber, then capsule reading can be performed, but the reading device becomes subject to contamination from coffee powder, vapours, and beverage drops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reading device from the contaminated environment by positioning it laterally adjacent to the infusion chamber rather than inside it. The reading device remains in a clean zone while still being able to read capsules as they pass by, separating the sensitive optical component from the harmful contaminants (coffee powder, vapours, beverage drops) that would otherwise accumulate on it.
3Measurement precision
If the optical sensor is exposed to the image capture zone for direct capsule reading, then capsule recognition can be performed, but the optical sensor is vulnerable to dirt and vapour deposition that interferes with operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transparent window as an intermediary barrier between the optical sensor and the image capture zone. This window allows optical signals to pass through for capsule reading while physically blocking dirt, vapours, and other contaminants from reaching and depositing on the optical sensor, thus maintaining both reading accuracy and sensor cleanliness.
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
The solution enhances the accuracy of capsule recognition by reducing reflections and contamination, ensuring reliable operation and easy maintenance, thus improving the overall performance of the beverage-making apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
at least one lateral wall of the box-shaped casing is coupled to a light emitting element and has a lighting surface region that is outside the inner chamber and is facing the image capture zone. The lateral wall is a light guide designed to transmit, inside it, the light emitted by the light emitting element to said lighting surface region.
Implementation Method 2
The box-shaped casing comprises a front wall that is made of transparent material and is interposed between the optical sensor and the image capture zone.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
An image acquisition device (4) for a capsule, usable in an apparatus (1) for making a beverage that uses the capsule. The device (4) comprises an optical sensor (42) facing an image capture zone (40) in which said capsule is located or passes, at least one light emitting element (44) for lighting the image capture zone (40), a box-shaped casing (5) surrounding an inner chamber (50) in which the optical sensor (42) is housed. The box-shaped casing (5) comprises a front wall (51), that is made of transparent material and is interposed between the optical sensor (42) and the image capture zone (40), and lateral walls (52, 53, 54, 55) that are connected to the front wall (51) and laterally delimit the inner chamber (50). At least one lateral wall (52) of the box-shaped casing (5) is coupled to the light emitting element (44) and has a lighting surface region (521) that is outside the inner chamber (5) and is facing the image capture zone (40), the lateral wall (52) being a light guide designed to transmit, inside it, the light emitted by the light emitting element (44) to said lighting surface region (521). The image capture zone (40) is lit by light projected from the lighting surface region (521) of the light-guide lateral wall (52).