Capsule Machine Actuator for Contactless Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot beverage preparation devices with electrical contact interfaces are prone to contamination and mechanical damage, making data transmission unreliable and requiring additional components, which increases manufacturing effort and reduces reliability.
Innovation Solution
The device employs an actuator that generates sound emissions, vibrations, or electromagnetic emissions for contactless data transmission, utilizing its existing functionality to transmit data wirelessly, thereby eliminating the need for separate interfaces and reducing the risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical contact interfaces are used for data transmission, then data exchange is enabled, but the interface becomes vulnerable to contamination and mechanical damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical electrical contact interface with an acoustic data transmission system using the actuator as a speaker. Data is encoded into sound waves that are emitted by the actuator and received by an external microphone, eliminating physical contacts and their associated contamination and damage risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator serves dual functions: it performs its original mechanical actuation role and simultaneously functions as an acoustic emitter for data transmission. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate data interface components, reducing complexity while improving reliability.
2Reliability
If a separate data interface with electrical contacts is provided, then data transmission is enabled, but manufacturing effort increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is designed to perform both its original actuation function and serve as an acoustic emitter for data transmission. By making the actuator multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate data interface components, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing effort while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the data transmission function with the existing actuator component. Instead of adding a separate interface, the actuator's mechanical movements are utilized to generate acoustic signals for data communication, combining multiple functions into a single component.
3Loss of information
If electrical contacts are used for data exchange, then data can be transmitted, but the contacts can become inoperable due to contamination or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the electrical contact-based data transmission system with an acoustic system. Data is transmitted through sound waves generated by the actuator's movements, which are detected by an external microphone. This eliminates the electrical contacts that are susceptible to contamination and damage, ensuring sustained data transmission capability.
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 approach enhances data transmission reliability, simplifies manufacturing, and allows for real-time error detection and diagnosis without physical intervention, while maintaining the actuator's primary function and reducing energy consumption during data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator (3) that generates sound emissions and/or vibrations and/or electromagnetic emissions
Implementation Method 2
the actuator can be operated at least in a data transmission mode that generates sound emissions and/or vibrations and/or electromagnetic emissions
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a hot-beverage preparation apparatus, in particular a capsule machine (1), having an actuator which generates sound emissions and/or vibrations and/or electromagnetic emissions and which can be operated in a normal operating mode (I) for the purpose of preparing hot beverages, wherein the hot-beverage preparation apparatus is designed to transmit data to a receiving device (2). According to the invention, the actuator can be operated at least in a data transmission mode (II), which generates sound emissions and/or vibrations and/or electromagnetic emissions, for the purpose of transmitting data to a receiving device (2).