Infrared Sensor Capsule for Beverage Ingredient Level Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Beverage dispensers face customer dissatisfaction due to diluted beverages resulting from concentrate ingredients falling below a certain level, leading to poor taste, as existing systems lack effective ingredient level detection.

Innovation Solution

A beverage dispenser ingredient level detection system utilizing infrared sensor assemblies with emitters and receivers, configured to transmit and detect infrared light rays to determine the presence of pre-determined amounts of ingredients, preventing the dispensing of substandard beverages by alerting when levels fall below a threshold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If infrared sensor assemblies are used to detect ingredient levels, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveingredient level detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The infrared emitter and receiver are nested within a shared capsule housing, with the emitter positioned in front of the receiver. This nested arrangement consolidates multiple sensing components into a single integrated assembly, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining detection precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor system is segmented into modular capsules, each containing an emitter and receiver pair. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each sensing unit while simplifying the overall system architecture and facilitating easier installation and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If multiple canisters are disposed close together, then space utilization is improved, but light interference between sensors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidlight interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Each capsule is designed with selective infrared transmission properties, allowing infrared light to pass through to the target canister while blocking light from adjacent canisters. This local optical filtering ensures that each sensor only detects reflections from its assigned canister, eliminating cross-interference even when canisters are tightly spaced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The capsule acts as an intermediary optical element between the sensor and multiple canisters. It transmits infrared light selectively to the intended target while absorbing or blocking light from other directions, thereby mediating the optical paths to prevent interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If infrared light rays are transmitted through capsules, then ingredient level detection is improved, but light absorption by capsules reduces signal strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveingredient level detectionVSAvoidinfrared light absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The capsule material and geometry are optimized to transmit infrared light at specific wavelengths while minimizing absorption. By selecting appropriate material parameters and capsule dimensions, the system achieves sufficient infrared transmission to maintain signal strength for accurate detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 consistent flavor by accurately detecting ingredient levels and preventing the dispensing of diluted beverages, enhancing customer satisfaction by maintaining optimal ingredient concentrations.

Implementation Method 1

a first infrared emitter disposed within the first capsule and configured to transmit infrared light rays

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a first infrared receiver disposed within the first capsule and configured to detect infrared light rays reflected by the first beverage ingredient in the first canister

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

The first capsule may absorb infrared light rays that are not indicative of whether the pre-determined amount of the first beverage ingredient is within the first canister

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS9945711B2Infrared sensor assembly for ingredient level detection in beverage dispensers

Publication Date: 2018.04.17 PEPSICO INC

AI summary

A beverage dispenser ingredient level detection system is disclosed. The system may include a container with a wall, a canister, a capsule, an infrared emitter, and an infrared receiver. The canister may be disposed within the container at a first distance from the wall and may be configured to hold a beverage ingredient. The capsule may be disposed on an interior surface of the wall. The infrared emitter and the infrared receiver may be disposed within the capsule and the infrared receiver may be configured to transmit infrared light rays and the infrared receiver may be configured to detect infrared light rays reflected by the beverage ingredient in the canister to determine whether a pre-determined amount of the beverage ingredient is within the canister. The capsule may absorb infrared light rays that are not indicative of whether the pre-determined amount of the beverage ingredient is within the canister.