Touchless Ice and Liquid Dispensing With Container Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice and liquid dispensers require physical contact to activate the dispensing lever, leading to user difficulty, continuous dispensing issues, and potential unsanitary conditions, while acoustic sensors struggle to detect objects at close proximity, increasing component count and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A touchless dispensing system utilizing ultrasonic sensors to detect containers without contact, generating signals to activate the dispenser and control the dispensing process, preventing spills by accurately determining container position and fill levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a conventional acoustic sensor is used to detect objects, then detection range is extended beyond 20 cm, but the acoustic pulse radiates in a conical pattern causing clutter and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the acoustic pulse directional rather than conical, concentrating the detection energy in a specific direction to reduce lateral clutter and noise while maintaining effective detection range
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional acoustic sensor with an optical sensor that uses light instead of sound waves, eliminating the conical radiation pattern problem and providing more precise directional detection without clutter and noise
2Reliability
If multiple acoustic sensors are used to detect objects beyond 20 cm, then detection capability is improved, but the number of components and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces multiple acoustic sensors with a single or fewer optical sensors, leveraging the superior directional properties of light to achieve the same or better detection capability with reduced component count and lower manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from acoustic waves to optical waves, utilizing the different physical properties of light to achieve improved detection performance with simpler system architecture
3Ease of operation
If a lever is used for dispensing activation, then simple mechanical operation is achieved, but physical contact is required leading to unsanitary conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical lever system with an optical detection and electronic actuation system, using light-based sensing to trigger dispensing without requiring physical contact, thereby maintaining ease of operation while eliminating unsanitary conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation where the dispensing is automatically activated by the detection of the user's presence or intent through optical sensing, eliminating the need for manual lever operation and physical contact
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 efficient, contact-free dispensing of ice and liquids to a desired fill level, reducing spills and maintaining hygiene, while minimizing component complexity and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
A detection device is positioned with respect to the recess. The detection device is configured to detect a container positioned within the recess without contacting the container
Implementation Method 2
detection device having an acoustic sensor that emits an acoustic pulse and receives an associated acoustic pulse as a result of an object reflecting the emitted acoustic pulse
Data Source
AI summary
A touchless dispensing system includes a dispenser configured to dispense at least one of ice and at least one liquid. A detection device is positioned with respect to the dispenser. The detection device is configured to detect a container positioned with respect to the dispenser without contacting the container. The detection device is further configured to generate a signal confirming a position of the container with respect to the dispenser. The dispenser is activated to dispense an amount of ice and/or an amount of the at least one liquid into the container in response to the signal generated by the detection device.