Smart Airpot Tilt and Level Sensing for Beverage Waste Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee brewing systems lack the ability to accurately track and control coffee quantity and quality, leading to inconsistent customer experiences and inefficient production, with inconsistencies often resulting in unconsumed coffee being discarded.
Innovation Solution
A smart brewing system comprising a smart brewer and smart airpot connected via wired or wireless connections, which track brewing cycles and dispose events, allowing for data review to improve future brewing processes and reduce waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional coffee brewing systems are used, then the brewing process is simple to operate, but the tracking and control of coffee quantity and quality is inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through sensors that continuously monitor coffee volume, temperature, and brewing cycle status. This data is fed back to the control system to automatically adjust brewing parameters, ensuring precise quantity and quality control without requiring complex manual intervention from the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual observation and handwritten tracking with electronic sensors and digital data processing. Optical sensors detect coffee volume, temperature sensors monitor brewing conditions, and microcontrollers automatically record and analyze data, substituting mechanical human operations with automated electronic systems that provide precise measurement while maintaining ease of use.
2Reliability
If manual tracking of coffee brewing is used, then the system is easy to operate, but the consistency of coffee quality is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The control system receives continuous feedback from sensors monitoring brewing parameters and automatically adjusts settings to maintain consistent coffee quality. The system compares actual measurements against target parameters and makes real-time corrections, ensuring reliable and repeatable brewing results without requiring operator expertise or attention.
Solution Approach 2:
The brewing system performs self-monitoring and self-adjustment through integrated sensors and control algorithms. The system automatically tracks brewing cycles, detects anomalies, and corrects parameters without human intervention, making operation simple while ensuring consistent quality through autonomous quality control mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If manual notes are used to track coffee brewing, then the system requires minimal equipment, but the accuracy of volume production tracking is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual note-taking with electronic data logging through sensors and microcontrollers. Optical and flow sensors automatically measure coffee volume produced in each brewing cycle, while temperature sensors record brewing conditions. All data is digitally stored and analyzed, eliminating human error in recording and providing accurate, reliable volume production tracking without requiring physical notes or spreadsheets.
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage dispenser and/or dispenser system including an airpot, a tilt sensor, and a controller are disclosed herein. In a representative example, the airpot includes a vessel used to contain coffee or another brewed/steeped beverage. The airpot can further include a liquid level sensor positioned to detect a liquid level within the vessel. The tilt sensor and the controller can be carried by the airpot. The controller is operably coupled with the liquid level sensor and the tilt sensor and has a computer-readable medium carrying instructions that, when executed, cause the controller to (i) receive, from the liquid level sensor, a first signal corresponding to a first liquid level, (ii) determine, in response to a signal from the tilt sensor, the occurrence of an inversion event, (iii) receive, from the liquid level sensor, a second signal corresponding to a second liquid level, and (iv) determine a liquid level change based on the first and the second signals. The change can be used to monitor dump events and reduce beverage waste.