MULTIPLE JUICE DISPENSERS IN LOW-COST AUTOMATION

Abstract

ABSTRACT This concept proposes an innovative and distinctive automatic juice dispensing system over the old traditional juice dispensers which are less efficient and user-friendly for multi-port dispensing features. This system is based on a central rotating disc mechanism with multiple juice cup holder slots, which are controlled by a servo motor to precisely align the cups with juice dispenser outlet ports. Lightweight mild steel sheet material is used for designing the rotating disc, facilitating correct alignment and customer satisfaction. The system is designed with the intuitive feature of a multi-port juice dispenser with three dispensers for different types of juices, where each individual juice storage unit is controlled by individual solenoid-controlled valves for accurate dispensing of juice i11 the cup containers with c.orrect volumes and thus helps in minimizing spillage and wastage of JUICe. Various additional components are used for supporting the dispensing process such as flexible tubes that direct the juice flow from the dispensers to the cup containers in the circular rotating disc, maintaining low downtime and synchronized operation. An Automatic cup dispenser, which works on the methodology of screw mechanisms, ensures that cups are placed accurately in position in the disc slots. The whole system is controlled by an Arduino microcontroller, which helps in coordinating the sequence of operations, which includes cup placement, and juice selection with the help of a user-friendly LCD display and keypad. The microcontroller plays the major role of commanding the dispenser valves in the system. Proximity sensors and level sensors are used for accurate cup detection and continuous monitoring of juice levels in the dispenser container. Therefore, they alert the system in case of juice level for refilling, which directly eliminates the need for dismantling the assembly. The use of lightweight materials helps for easy transportation and highly precise components such as servo motors and solenoid valves help in the factor of energy-efficient control through the help of 4-channel relays and provide a compact and easy installation solution. Overall, this innovation offers a drastic improvement over traditional juice dispensers, providing enhanced automation technology, high accuracy, energy efficiency, low manufacturing, and operational cost, friendly user convenience, and customer satisfaction, which make it suitable for both commercial and domestic ~ environments with high working efficiency.

Specification

MULTIPLE .JUICE DISPENSERS IN LOW-COST AUTOMATION
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
DESCRIPTION
This project aims to develop and build a prototype of an autonomous and userfriendly
juice dispensing system with multiple juice dispensing units attached to a multi-slot
cup-holding disc platform combined as a single system. The proposed solution overcomes the
limitations of existing juice dispenser machines by offering significant improvements in
compact design, cost-effectiveness, space efficiency, and low power consumption. The
system encompasses a simple mechanism and also ensures highly efficient output. A mild
steel square tube is utilized to construct the outer body frame which ensures high strength,
ductility, weldability, and economical. A servo motor powers the system, precisely
positioning and aligning cups under the selected juice port via a circular disc platform
mounted on it. The servo motor otTers precise movement control, allowing fine-tuning angle,
speed, and acceleration. The key factors driving the selection of servo motors include high
efficiency, high accuracy, and rapid response. The disc is custom-fabricated from mild steel
sheets using laser cutting technology to create precise slots for securely holding cups in place.
The base frame acts as a support member for the rotating disc. A 12V DC solenoid valve is
utilized to precisely regulate fluid flow from the dispenser unit's outlet. It ensures secure,
leak-free opening and closing, providing precise timing control and high consistency,
significantly surpassing the performance of traditional machines. For seamless dispensing,
flexible food-grade tubes are integrated into the dispenser unit, emerging from the outlet to
facilitate hygienic and efficient fluid flow. Proximity sensors and level sensors are used for
accurate cup detection and continuous monitoring of juice levels in the dispenser container.
Therefore, they alert the system in case of juice level for refilling, which directly elimin~tes
the need for dismantling the assembly. Additionally, an automatic cup dispenser is
incorporated with the system, located near the rotating disc and mounted on the body frame.
A screw or gravity-based mechanism is used in this cup dispenser. It minimizes manual
intervention, enabling continuous and uninterrupted operation, while enhancing overall
efficiency and reliability. Microcontroller in the system is used to control the cup dispenser
by giving programmed commands which results in high accuracy and correct timing. This
device gives out the additional benefit of reduced manual intervention and increased
continuous functioning. The Arduino microcontroller acts as the brain of the operation,
.controlling and coordinating ever.y aspect of the system, and making sure. all :parts work
smoothly ... The .us·er-friendly interface, comprising an LCD .display and keypad, simplifies
juice selection for a flawless experience. The outer body is covered by plastic panels which
protect internal components from external factors. Thus, by offering low mainte.nancc and
advanced features, this system is ideal for high-traffic areas like malls, restaurants, and
events. Compared to traditional juice dispensers, it boasts enhanced features, user
satisfaction, aesthetic appeal, and overall experience making it a superior choice.
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present idea focuses on innovative design, technology, and automation of smart
juice dispensing systems to improve cost control, efficiency, and customer satisfac.tinn. The
ouain scope of this tield covers the design and development of smart beverage dispensing
systems that enhance the user experience and satisfy the customers. The system combines an
effective mechanical design structure with a smart electronic control system and a simple
interface device for the best user experience. Beverage dispensing systems are widely used in
restaurants, cafes, and entertainment venues. The automatic juice dispensing system is
designed to optimize drink distribution, reducing manual labor and enhancing the customer ·
experience. Existing traditional beverage dispenser machiues exhibit drawback factors like
bulkiness, complex mechanisms and assembly, and expensive manufacturing, and also result
in inconsistent dispensing juice volume and breakdowns due to continuous functioning. The
proposed concept solves these challenges by constructing a compact design structure with a
simple mechanism, lightweight, less expensive, easy to maintain, user-friendly, and efficient
working manner. A minimal thickness of mild steel sheet is processed by laser cutting to form
the rotating disc platform with multiple slots for placing and holding the cups. Utilizing a
servo motor for exact control motion of the disc and correct positioning of the cups for
accurate dispensing of juices. This automatically eradicates the use of conveyor systems or
the replacement of cups manually which reduces downtime. One of the significant features of
an automatic juice dispenser machine is the ability to control the volume of liquid at the
required time. The traditional dispenser machines give an inconsistent output because they
rely on simple mechanical valves which leads to spillage, wastage, and unreliable. As we use
solenoid-controlled valves this limitation is successfully overcome and achieved accuracy.
The automatic.juice dispenser machines are used in various areas like shopping malls and
food courts ;where it proV:ides a self-service option that reduces waiting time and labor costs.
In ·restaurants and offices, it can be.·used for continuous beverage supply which helps people
to focus on other tasks and enhance overall efficiency. In events and large gatherings, it plays.
a vital role in quick beverages. The innovative design has features of space adaptability and
compatibility. This feature helps in installation and easy transportation in different locations
like outdoor public events, and exhibitions. In summary, the proposed system relics on
accurate fluid control and an effective user interface. The innovative design overcomes the
limitations of traditional dispensers by addressing weight, compactness, and cost constraints,
resulting in a reliable, user-friendly product suitable for various settings, offering numerous
benefits.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
According to the literature research, there is a need for an alternate, efficient, and
cost-effective juice dispensing system, especially for small-scale vendors. Major drawbacks
of the existing system involve more expensive, high maintenance, high power
consumption, complex processes, and more space occupation. Conventional juice
dispensing machines come in various types, each with unique characteristics and
difficulties. Fresh juicers take the juice straight from the fruit, but they need to be refilled
regularly, which raises the expense of operation. Concentrate-based machines and powderbased
machines are used to make drinks by mixing water and powder, sometimes improper
mixing of ingredients takes place. Components like motors that drive the machine but can
overheat, mixing chambers that combine ingredients but are difficult to clean, and nozzles
that dispense juice but may clog with residue. However, regular cleaning is necessary to
ensure hygienic conditions. Over time, many systems have been added to juice vending
machines, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Old models like mechanical
coin-operated machines relied on mechanical components to validate coins without
electricity but were limited to specific coin sizes and often prone to jamming and
tampering. Lever-operated mechanisms, where customers pulled a lever to dispense
products, were popular but required manual effort, were slow, and prone to wear and tear.
Button-operated systems initially used simple push-button designs for product selection but
suffered from mechanical jamming and limited functionality. Some older machines used
innovative yet outdated designs, like punch card mechanisms, which required physical
cards to verify payment but lacked flexibility. Hand-pulled valve mechanisms allowed
customers to open a. valve manually to dispense juice, which was prone to leaks and
hygiene issues. Meanwhile, magnetic stripe card-based mechanisms used cards for payment
and activation but were easily damaged or demagnetized. These earlier designs paved the
way for the more advanced and efficient systems seen today. Current models with slightly
advanced versions like electronic coin-operated machines use sensors and microcontrollers
for accurate coin validation and automated dispensing but depend on a stable electricity
supply, are prone to sensor malfunctions over time, and also lack customization options.
Digital payment machines combine digital features like NFC and QR codes for digital
transactions, which adds convenience but raises manufacturing costs and requires frequent
software updates. The more sophisticated and effective systems of today were made
possible by these older innovations.
From these difficulties, conventional dispensers struggle to produce juices
efficiently. Regular usage of these systems requires frequent maintenance and component
replacement. This leads to high operational costs and downtime which affects the frequency
of high-demand services in restaurants and food courts. Also, it has a complex user
interface which escalates the situation for first-time users. Other constraints in traditional
dispensers are size, weight, and energy consumption. These constraints directly atlect the
working efficiency of the system. Therefore, the proposed solution overcomes these
contradictions of the traditional dispensers by constructing an innovative design usmg
modern technology and engineering aspects. Effective operation, reliability, lower
maintenance costs, and an intuitive user interface are the system's primary goals. Utilization
of highly efficient components like servo motors, solenoid valves, flexible tubes, plastic
sheets, and mild steel tubes enable features like lightweight, portability, flexibility, easy
setup, and power optimization. In summary, the present idea focuses on an efficient,
trustworthy, and user-friendly dispensing system. This development represents an
advantageous situation for beverage technology and provides a better expenence for
operators and customers ..
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Brief Description of the Drawings:
Fig. I -Assembled view of Multiple juice dispensers in low-cost automation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION/WORKING
This project developed an automatic juice dispensing system that is user-friendly
and suitable for dispensing various types of carbonated juices. The system includes
innovative design, structural materials, electronic components, and user interface control
systems with high-grade standards. This summary delivers detailed information about the
structure, operation, and other features of the system. The central rotating disc is the crucial
part of the system which is made with a customized design using laser cutting
manufacturing process. The design of the rotating disc has multiple slots for holding cups.
The rotating disc is mounted on the servo motor to allow the disc platform to move with
precision below the juice outlet ports and receive the juice. It is constructed using mild steel
by considering positive aspects like lightweight and withstand load. Three different
carbonated juice dispensing units are vertically mounted in the frame panel. The attachment
position of the dispenser units is strategically made to minimize space usage and results in
an easily manageable system. The dispenser unit outlet is governed by solenoid valves for
providing high accuracy in opening and closing the valves at the controlled timing and also
ensures the correct volume of juice is being dispensed in the cup, reducing the common
risks of spillage or wastage of juice in traditional dispenser machines. Supporting "the
dispensing process, we additionally use flexible tubes elongated from juice outlets to the
surface of the cups in the slots of the rotating disc. These flexible tubes direct the flow of
juice into the cups maintaining a clean and uninterrupted operation throughout the process.
For the smooth receiving of juice, we usc an automatic cup dispenser in the system, which
is situated near the rotating disc. The automatic cup dispenser works on either one of the
two basic principles which is gravity or screw-based mechanism. The basic work of the
component is to release the cups in the correct location of the slots in the rotating disc. The
sequence of timely-controlled cup dispensing operations is controlled by the
microcontroller. This changeover of automation in the cup dispensing system reduces
manual intervention and helps the system work more efficiently. The operation of the cup
dispenser is additionally supported with proximity sensors which sense the presence of
cups in the slots of the rotating disc and dispense the cups into the empty slots. Also, with
the accurate control of the servo motor, this process is achieved. The process of dispensing
cups continues until all the slots of the circular disc platform arc filled. This system has a
simple and understandable user interface with LCD display and an operating keypad for
choosing the desired juice. The complete system is controlled by a single -Arduino
valve which helps to open and close the outlets in exact timings to ensure the correct
amount of juice is dispensed in the cup. This also helps to overcome the risk of overfilling
and underfilling and assures consistent and accurate serving of juice. It is mainly used for
its reliable and efficient features such as rapid response time, low power consumption,
remote operation, and safe external leakage block. Due to its remote operation capabilities,
the solenoid valve is an extremely versatile choice for· automated systems. Plastic sheets
were utilized to cover the overall setup. When compared with other materials plastic sheets,
especially acrylic sheets are lightweight, low cost, durable, impact resistant, flexible, and
can be replaced easily in ·case of damage and reduce the overall weight of the setup which
leads to easy transportation of the machine. Another advantage of the system is the rotating
disc which offers a continuous response automatically that fits in various places like malls,
hotels, and public events without any time delay for the customers. Thus, the product is
user-friendly, timely responsive, cost-effective, low maintenance, safe, and efficient.
NOVELTY CLAIMED IN THIS INVENTION
The proposed innovative automatic juice dispensing system involves several
distinctive features that are distinguished from the existing traditional beverage machines.
The system is simple, easy to use, and has high significance of affordability and less space
requirements. The central factor of the innovative design is a customized rotating disc
which is made up of mild steel sheet material which ensures reliability for cup holding
purposes. The accurate alignment of cup slots with individual dispensers is achieved with
the help of a servo motor which provides precise control motion. This system utilized a
multi-port juice dispenser which contains three individual dispenser units and contributes to
simultaneous dispensing at the same time. This is done with the help of a solenoidcontrolled
valve for controlling the function of opening and closing of flexible connecting
tubes which results in reduced wastage and correct filling of the required volume of juice in
cups. The flexible tubes are made in customized dimensions to fit with juice storage units
and are made up of food-grade material to ensure customer safety. The complete
automation of the system is achieved by integrating the automatic cup dispenser device
with the machine which works on a screw operating mechanism. This is controlled by an
Arduino microcontroller that reduces the need for manual intervention, eases the
programming of operations, and also helps the system to operate in a synchronized and
energy-efficient manner, activating components only when necessary to reduce overall
power consumption. All the operations in the system are supported with the help of various
sensors. Proximity sensors are used for the detection of cups in rotating discs in contact
with the individual dispenser for the juice dispensing process. Level sensors in the juice
containers alert the system when juice levels are low, facilitating easy refilling without the
need for disassembly. The use of lightweight mild steel material and plastic acrylic sheets
helps to achieve a compact, lightweight, easy transportation and rigid structural design of
the system. Another user-friendly feature is done with the help of a keypad, which allows
users to select their desired juice type with no possibility of any complication. So, this
system benefits both the customers and the retail shop owners with the combination of
automation technology at a low reliable cost. The system's design is simple, compact, and
friendly to the user in a way that traditional juice dispensers cannot match by offering
various advantages like operational efficiency, reduced maintenance, hygienic dispensing
process, and rigid design structure with high space efficiency.

CLAIMS
WE CLAIM
I. A method for minimizing the manual intervention and increasing the automatic
process of juice dispensing using a circular rotating <lise mechanism and sensors
such as proximity and level sensors.
2. A method for integrating an Arduino microcontroller with a servo motor, solenoid
valves, and cup dispenser unit helps in the proposed claim (I) for achieving
complete automation of the system.
3. A mcthuu for developing a compact and lightweight design structure of the juice
dispenser using mild ~teel material and plastic acrylic sheets for enhanced
portability and easy installation.
4. A method for juice dispensing system, where power consumption is minimized
through the use of relays controlled by Arduino microcontroller, where activation of
the system componeuts operates on command from the microcontroller when
required, reducing unnecessary energy consumption during idle periods.
5. A method for a modular juice dispensing system with less space requirements and
reduced downtime achieved with the help of effective design which consists of
multi-port dispensers, rotating discs, cup dispensers, and cup containers and has the
feature of continuous command for juice dispensing.
6. The similar method, materials, process, and design mentioned m claims I - 5
should be claimed.

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