Device, Beverage Maker, And Method For Dosing Solid And/Or Liquid Substances
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensers struggle to reliably detect an empty signal from the container, leading to incomplete dispensing of beverages due to residual substances at the bottom, and require an emitter for detection, increasing cost and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A sensor is positioned above the container's base wall and opposite a transparent part of the side wall to detect electromagnetic radiation, eliminating the need for an emitter and enhancing detection reliability by using ambient light, with optional additional sensors for precise filling level quantification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor is arranged on the container's base wall or at a location not at a distance from the base wall, then the detection structure is simpler, but the beverage cannot be fully dispensed even upon receiving an empty signal due to residual substances
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is moved from a two-dimensional position on the base wall to a three-dimensional position at a distance above the base wall, allowing detection through the transparent side wall. This spatial repositioning enables the sensor to detect the empty signal reliably while avoiding interference from residual substances that accumulate on the base wall.
2Reliability
If an emitter is used for detection, then the detection function is complete, but the cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses ambient light sources already present in the environment (such as room lighting) as the radiation source for detection. The sensor detects the absence or presence of this ambient light passing through the transparent side wall to determine the empty signal, eliminating the need for a dedicated emitter and reducing both cost and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent side wall serves multiple functions: it contains the beverage substrate while also acting as an optical window that allows ambient light to pass through for sensor detection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components and reduces system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor is positioned close to the container, then the detection is more direct, but the sensor is more susceptible to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent side wall acts as an intermediary medium between the sensor and the container interior. It allows optical signals to pass through while providing physical separation and protection for the sensor, enabling the sensor to be positioned at a safe distance from the container while maintaining effective detection 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
Ensures complete dispensing of beverages even when empty, reduces power consumption, and minimizes sensor damage by decoupling the sensor from the container, thus increasing device stability and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor (7) which is configured to detect electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 2
said part of the container's side wall being transparent to the electromagnetic radiation which the sensor is configured to detect
Data Source
AI summary
A device for dosing solid and/or liquid substances includes a container to hold solid and/or liquid substances in an interior space of the container. The container has at least one side wall, at least one base wall, and at least one outlet opening. The device also includes a dosing unit to dose solid and/or liquid substances contained in the container from the outlet opening, and a sensor arranged in the exterior space to detect electromagnetic radiation. The sensor is located in a region above the base wall and opposite a transparent part of the side wall. The device is configured to enable an empty signal from the device's container to be detected more reliably and a drink to be completely dosed, even upon receiving an empty signal. A beverage maker and a method are additionally provided.