Capsule Identification Probes for Reliable Beverage Machine Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage production machines struggle to accurately read capsule identification members with varying numbers of holes or recesses, requiring different forces for detection, which can lead to sensing errors or folding of the identification member.
Innovation Solution
The capsule identification member features a structured surface with localized contact receivers of varying depths or heights, and a resilient support member with transversal deformation capabilities, allowing probes to apply significant force without folding the member, while ensuring accurate detection regardless of hole or recess configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a capsule identification member presents a surface with many holes or few recesses, then a weaker force is applied on this member, but the machine must be able to sense all these holes or absence of recesses even if the force is weaker, which leads to sensing errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the probe by introducing a magnetic field interaction mechanism. Instead of relying solely on mechanical contact force, the probe uses magnetic attraction to maintain consistent contact force with the identification member regardless of the number of holes or recesses. This allows the machine to accurately sense all holes or recesses even when the mechanical force would naturally be weaker.
2Measurement precision
If an important force is applied on the capsule identification member to ensure detection, then detection accuracy improves, but the identification member can fold up during the identification phase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the probe and the identification member. The magnetic field provides the necessary attractive force to ensure accurate detection of holes and recesses without requiring direct high mechanical force contact that would cause folding. The magnetic interaction allows force application while maintaining structural integrity.
3Loss of information
If the identification member has many holes or recesses, then more information can be encoded, but a variable and weaker force is needed which makes sensing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical sensing system with a hybrid system that uses magnetic field interaction. The probe incorporates magnetic elements that generate a magnetic field to interact with corresponding magnetic elements in the identification member. This substitution of mechanical force with magnetic interaction makes it easier to detect the presence or absence of holes and recesses, regardless of the number of such features encoded in the identification member.
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
Enables reliable detection of capsule information across different hole or recess configurations without folding the identification member, ensuring precise control of beverage production parameters like temperature and brewing time.
Implementation Method 1
The displaceable probes are resiliably positioned at a distance of a circuitry of the machine control means by a resilient support member associated to the circuitry for providing the elasticity to the probe to enable its return into a non-contact position
Implementation Method 2
The resilient support member can be an elastomeric, preferably silicone member... and the insulation of the circuitry from the humidity coming from the capsule
Implementation Method 3
The beverage production machine comprises displaceable probe that can penetrate, deform, displace the cover means at regions susceptible to present holes or recesses
Data Source
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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, wherein the part of the resilient support member in contact with the probe presents such a shape that it is able to deform itself when the probe applies a force on it, the deformation being partially transversal to the direction applied by the force.