Contactless Beverage Dispenser Sensor Placement for Splash Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensers require user interaction with potentially contaminated surfaces, leading to hygiene concerns and operational inefficiencies, especially in high-traffic settings, and existing contactless solutions are inadequate for multi-product dispensers due to sensor contamination and malfunction risks.
Innovation Solution
A beverage dispenser equipped with contactless acquisition elements positioned to avoid splash contamination, using optical proximity sensors to select beverages intuitively and safely, with a control unit managing nozzle activation based on sensor inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If contactless sensors are positioned under the delivery nozzle for beverage selection, then contactless operation is achieved, but the sensors become contaminated by beverage splashes causing malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The sensors are extracted from the contaminated zone under the nozzle and repositioned to a safe location above the nozzle where they cannot be reached by beverage splashes, thus maintaining contactless operation while preventing contamination
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that receives signals from repositioned sensors and activates the appropriate nozzle, enabling indirect detection that avoids direct exposure to contamination while maintaining system functionality
2Adaptability or versatility
If push-button panels are used for beverage selection, then multiple beverage options can be selected, but direct contact with the panel is required creating hygiene risks
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical push-button system is replaced with an optical sensing system that detects the presence of a glass or container without requiring physical contact, thereby maintaining multi-beverage selection capability while eliminating contamination risks
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring direct contact with the selection interface, the system creates an optical copy or representation of the user's intent through sensor detection, allowing indirect selection that preserves versatility while avoiding contamination
3Ease of operation
If sensors are positioned to detect user presence for automatic delivery, then contactless operation is enabled, but the sensors cannot distinguish between different beverage selection intentions
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent sensors positioned at different locations, each associated with a specific beverage nozzle, allowing the system to distinguish which beverage the user intends to select based on which sensor is activated
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-dimension presence detection to a multi-dimensional spatial detection system where sensors are distributed in space around different nozzles, enabling the system to capture which specific beverage the user wants by detecting the spatial position of the glass
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
Ensures hygienic and efficient beverage selection and delivery without direct contact, reducing contamination risks and enhancing user safety and operational reliability in multi-product dispensing scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
at least a first contactless acquisition element 9 configured to intercept the presence or absence of a user's finger
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a dispenser for the delivery of beverages having at least a contactless acquisition element arranged according to well-defined positions so as not to be reached by any splashes during the delivery of the beverage.