Touchless Ice Dispensing With Proximity Sensing and Visual Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional beverage and ice dispensing systems rely on physical contact, leading to inaccuracies in dispensing start and stop, deformation of cups, and potential splashes, which are unpleasant and unsanitary, especially with the need for touchless interactions due to hygiene concerns.

Innovation Solution

A touchless ice dispensing system using a sensor to detect the proximity of a receptacle with a cone-shaped beam, initiating and ending the dispense based on object detection, and employing a controller to coordinate the electromechanical dispense component and visual feedback for accurate and contactless operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If physical contact dispensing is used, then the system is simple to operate, but it causes cup deformation and splashing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidcup deformation and splashing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based dispensing trigger with an optical sensing system. A sensor detects the presence and position of a cup without physical contact, and a controller activates the dispensing mechanism based on this detection. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact forces that cause cup deformation and prevents splashing by enabling precise control of dispensing initiation and termination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If touchless dispensing is implemented, then cup deformation and splashing are prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecup deformation and splashingVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a sensor as an intermediary between the user and the dispensing mechanism. The sensor detects cup presence and position optically without physical contact, transmitting this information to a controller that manages the dispensing process. This intermediary enables touchless operation while maintaining relatively simple system architecture through the use of standard sensing and control components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If physical contact dispensing is used, then the system structure is simple, but hygiene is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structureVSAvoidhygiene concerns

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact interfaces with optical sensing technology. The sensor detects cup presence and user intent through light fields rather than physical contact, eliminating surfaces that could harbor contaminants. This substitution maintains functional simplicity while significantly improving hygiene by removing contact points where bacteria and viruses could be transmitted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If touchless sensing is used, then hygiene is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovehygieneVSAvoidproximity detection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback-based sensing system where the sensor continuously monitors the optical field in the dispensing area. The controller receives real-time signals from the sensor and adjusts dispensing timing based on detected object proximity and position. This feedback mechanism enables the system to achieve the necessary measurement precision for accurate touchless operation by continuously adapting to the detected cup position and user presence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

The system ensures accurate and hygienic dispensing of ice by eliminating physical contact, preventing splashes, and enhancing user experience through precise control and visual feedback.

Implementation Method 1

A sensor is configured to produce a beam within the dispense area and to provide a signal indicative of a proximity of an object within the beam to the sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProximity detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11976869B2Systems and methods of accurate touchless dispensing

Publication Date: 2024.05.07 MARMON FOODSERVICE TECH INC

AI summary

An example of a system for touchlessly dispensing ice into a receptacle includes a dispense chute configured to direct dispensed ice therethrough to a dispense area. A visual feedback device is configured to present a visual indication of an operational status of the system. A sensor is configured to produce a beam within the dispense area and to provide a signal indicative of a proximity of an object within the beam to the sensor. A controller is configured to receive the signal and to determine the proximity of the object to the sensor from the signal. The controller is configured to operate the system to initiate a dispense of ice through the dispense chute based upon the determined proximity of the object. The controller is configured to operate the visual feedback device to present a visual indication of the initiated ice dispense.