Drip coffee machine with electric water level sensor
By using an electric water level sensor and a processor to control the heating of the water boiler in the drip coffee machine, the steam, pressure and noise generated by the traditional drip coffee machine when the water tank is exhausted is solved, and the safety of the equipment and user experience are improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380063020.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-01-09
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-11
AI Technical Summary
Traditional drip coffee machines use high-powered water boilers when the tank runs out of water can generate a lot of undesirable steam, pressure and noise, resulting in equipment damage and noise external bursts.
The electric water level sensor is used to accurately detect the water level at the junction of the water tank and the drip coffee machine, and control the heating element of the water burner through the processor to ensure that the heating element is quickly closed when the water level is low, preventing excessive steam and pressure from occurring.
Effectively prevent excessive steam and pressure from dripping coffee machines, reduce the risk of equipment damage, and reduce external noise explosions to improve user experience.
Smart Images
Figure CN119816229A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Background Art
[0001] Conventional drip coffee makers include elements such as a heating tube that heats the water as it passes through the tube for application to the ground coffee beans. Such conventional drip coffee makers are typically characterized by a brew cycle that runs continuously until the water tank is completely emptied. Conventional drip coffee makers also typically utilize a thermal probe to determine when water is no longer present in the drip coffee maker based on the temperature of the heating tube. Typically, when water is no longer present in the machine, the temperature of the heating tube increases significantly, thereby signaling a lack of water. An increase in the temperature of the heating tube may cause the heating tube to generate undesirable steam and pressure within the system, which may damage components of the drip coffee maker, as well as generate undesirable noise and external steam bursts that may affect the user.
[0002] In contrast to traditional drip coffee makers, "pod-style" single-cup coffee makers meter out limited volumes of water (e.g., 8, 10, or 12 ounces at a time) and do not use a brew cycle that runs continuously until the water tank is completely empty. As a result, such single-cup coffee makers generally do not have the same steam, pressure, and noise issues as traditional drip coffee makers. Summary of the invention
[0003] When different types of heating sources are used in a drip coffee maker, the potential for undesirable steam, pressure, and noise can increase significantly. For example, in the embodiments of the drip coffee maker described in the present disclosure, a high-wattage boiler is utilized to quickly heat a relatively large amount of water (compared to the heating tube of a conventional drip coffee maker) to quickly brew a pot of coffee. However, the use of a high-powered boiler in a drip coffee maker may also generate a large amount of undesirable steam, pressure, and noise near the end of a brewing cycle when there is no more water in the boiler, particularly when the water tank of the drip coffee maker runs out of water.
[0004] Therefore, it is desirable to have a drip coffee maker with the ability to accurately determine the water level within the drip coffee maker and quickly reduce the likelihood of the drip coffee maker producing undesirable steam, pressure and / or noise when no water is present in the system and / or when the water level is nearly low. The present disclosure solves this problem by providing a drip coffee maker with an electric water level sensor.
[0005] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a drip coffee maker, which includes a water level sensor, a boiler, and a processor. The water level sensor is positioned at a joint where a water tank in the drip coffee maker is connected to the drip coffee maker, the water level sensor defines an internal area configured to receive water flowing from the water tank, and the water level sensor includes a pair of electrodes positioned in the internal area, wherein the resistance between the pair of electrodes indicates whether water is present in the water tank.
[0006] The water boiler includes a heating element surrounding at least a portion of an exterior of the water boiler, wherein the water boiler is configured to receive water flowing from the water level sensor and heat the received water using the heating element.
[0007] The processor is in communication with the water level sensor and the water boiler. The processor is configured to turn on a heating element of the water boiler and turn off the heating element of the water boiler based in part on the resistance between the pair of electrodes of the water level sensor.
[0008] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides another drip coffee machine, which includes a water tank connector, a water level sensor, a heating source and a processor. The water tank connector is configured to be coupled with a water tank and receive water from the water tank.
[0009] The water level sensor is configured to couple with the water tank connector, wherein the water level sensor defines an interior region configured to receive water flowing from the water tank. The water level sensor includes a pair of electrodes located within the interior region, wherein a resistance between the pair of electrodes indicates whether water is present in the water tank.
[0010] The heating source is configured to receive water flowing from the water level sensor and heat the received water. The processor communicates with the water level sensor and the heating source and is configured to turn the heating source on and off based in part on the resistance between a pair of electrodes of the water level sensor, wherein the processor is configured to turn off the heating source and end the brewing cycle when the resistance between the pair of electrodes of the water level sensor indicates that water is not present in the water tank.
[0011] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for operating a drip coffee maker, wherein a processor of the drip coffee maker measures a resistance between two electrodes of a water level sensor during a brewing cycle of the drip coffee maker, the water level sensor being positioned at a junction where a water tank is connected to the drip coffee maker, wherein the resistance between the two electrodes of the water level sensor indicates whether water is present in the water tank.
[0012] The processor determines that water is not present in the water tank during the brew cycle based on the measured resistance between the two electrodes of the water level sensor. In addition, the processor shuts down a heating source of the drip coffee maker based on determining that water is not present in the water tank during the brew cycle, the heating source being configured to heat water from the water tank. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The embodiments and implementations of the present disclosure may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and descriptions. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but rather the focus is placed on illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. In addition, in the drawings, the same reference numerals represent corresponding components in different views.
[0014] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the exterior of a type of drip coffee machine.
[0015] Figure 2 is a first side view of internal components of one form of a drip coffee maker.
[0016] Figure 3 is a second side view of internal components of one form of a drip coffee maker.
[0017] Figure 4 A perspective view of the internal components of a form of drip coffee maker.
[0018] Figure 5 is a first side view of the internal components of a drip coffee maker with the water tank removed.
[0019] Figure 6 is a second side view of the internal components of a drip coffee maker with the water tank removed.
[0020] Figure 7 is a rear view of the internal components of a drip coffee maker with the water tank removed.
[0021] Figure 8 A top view of a type of electric water level sensor.
[0022] Fig. 9 It is a stereogram of a form of electric water level sensor.
[0023] Fig.10 It is a front view of a form of a water boiler for a drip coffee machine.
[0024] Fig.11 yes Fig.10 Cross-section of a water boiler.
[0025] Fig.12 is a flow chart of one form of a method for operating a drip coffee maker including a water level sensor and a heating source such as a boiler. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The present disclosure provides a drip coffee maker having a heating source such as a boiler and an electric water level sensor. The drip coffee maker can use the boiler to heat a large amount of water in a short time. As a result, the drip coffee maker can brew a pot of coffee quickly compared to a conventional drip coffee maker that uses a heating tube to heat water. However, the use of a boiler, especially a high-powered boiler, in a drip coffee maker may also generate a large amount of undesirable steam, pressure and / or noise near the end of a brewing cycle when water is no longer present in the boiler, especially when the water tank of the drip coffee maker runs out of water.
[0027] To address these issues, an electrical water level sensor is positioned at the junction of the water tank and the drip coffee maker to accurately determine when water is no longer present in the water tank. As a result, the drip coffee maker can quickly shut off the heating element of the boiler before excess steam and pressure build up within the brewing element of the drip coffee maker. Preventing excess steam and pressure within the brewing element of the drip coffee maker reduces the likelihood of damaging the brewing element of the drip coffee maker and reduces the likelihood of external bursts of steam and / or noise from the drip coffee maker that may cause concern to a user.
[0028] Figure 1 A perspective view of the exterior of a drip coffee machine; Figure 2 and 3 are first and second side views of internal components of one form of a drip coffee maker connected to a water tank; and Figure 4-7 Various views of the internal components of a form of drip coffee maker not connected to a water tank.
[0029] An embodiment of a drip coffee machine 100 may include a water tank 102, a water tank connector 104, a water level sensor 106, a water boiler 108, a three-way connector 110, a water dispenser 112, a funnel 114, a carafe 116, a warming plate 118, a control panel / display 120, and a printed circuit board 122, which includes at least a processor, a controller or other processing circuit, hereinafter collectively referred to as a processor, and a memory. In some embodiments, the processor is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to perform operations as described in the present disclosure.
[0030] As will be explained in more detail below, during operation, when a water tank 102 holding water is connected to the water tank connector 104, water flows from the water tank 102, through the water tank connector 104, and into the water level sensor 106. When the water level sensor 106 detects water, the water level sensor 106 indicates to the processor of the printed circuit board 122 that water is present in the water tank 102. As a result, the processor allows the user to initiate a brew cycle, which typically runs continuously until water is no longer present in the water tank 102.
[0031] When a user initiates a brew cycle by interacting with the control panel / display 118, water flows from the water tank 102 to the boiler 108 through the water tank connector 104, the water level sensor 106, and the pipe connecting the water level sensor 106 and the boiler 108. When the user initiates a brew cycle, the processor turns on the boiler 108 to heat the water as it flows into the boiler 108.
[0032] The heated water flows from the boiler 108 to the tee connector 110 through a pipe and is directed to a water dispenser 112. In some embodiments, the water dispenser 112 can be, for example, a shower head, an outlet of a pipe, or a nozzle. The heated water flows out of the water dispenser 112 and flows into the coffee grounds located in the funnel 114. When the coffee leaves the funnel 114, it is directed to the carafe 116, where the warming plate 118 can warm the coffee in the carafe 116.
[0033] During a brew cycle, a water level sensor 106 coupled to the water tank connector 104 indicates whether water is present in the water tank 102. In some embodiments, the water level sensor 106 is positioned in the brewing path within the drip coffee maker 100 at a height above the height of the boiler 108. In such embodiments, this spatial separation between the water level sensor 106 and the boiler 108 ensures that a residual amount of water in the path between the water level sensor 106 and the boiler 108 can be fed to the boiler 108 when the boiler 108 is cool and after it is deactivated or powered off.
[0034] Figure 8 is a top view of one form of the water level sensor 106, and Fig. 9 8 is a perspective view of one form of the water level sensor 106. The water level sensor 106 includes a body 821 defining an interior region 822 into which water from the water tank 102 can flow via the water tank connector 104. The water level sensor 106 includes a pair of electrodes, such as a first electrode 824 and a second electrode 826 located within the interior region 822 of the water level sensor 106. The water level sensor 106 further defines a hole 828 at the bottom of the interior region 822 to provide a path for water leaving the water tank 102 to flow through a pipe to the water boiler 108. In some embodiments, the first electrode 824 and the second electrode 826 are positioned on opposite sides of the hole 828 where water flows out of the interior region 822 of the water level sensor 106.
[0035] During operation, the amount of resistance is measured between the first electrode 824 and the second electrode 826. When water from the water tank 102 is present inside the water level sensor 822, the resistance level measured between the first electrode 824 and the second electrode 826 is low, and current may flow between the two electrodes. However, when water from the water tank 102 is not present inside the water level sensor 822, the resistance level measured between the first electrode 824 and the second electrode 826 is high, and current may not flow between the two electrodes.
[0036] As a result, when water from the water tank 102 is present in the interior area 822, a first level of current flows between the first electrode 824 and the second electrode 826, and the water level sensor 106 indicates that water is present in the water tank 102. Alternatively, when water in the water tank 102 is not in the interior area 822, a second level of current flows between the first electrode 824 and the second electrode 826, and the water level sensor 106 indicates that water is not present in the water tank 102.
[0037] It should be understood that because the water level sensor 106 is located at the junction of the water tank 102 and the water tank connector 104 rather than downstream in the brewing path, the water level sensor 106 is able to accurately detect whether water is present in the water tank 102. It should also be understood that in embodiments of the drip coffee maker 100 in which the water tank 102 is not removable from the drip coffee maker, the water level sensor 106 may still be positioned at the junction of the water tank 102 and the brewing element of the drip coffee maker 100, or even in the lower portion of the water tank 102 itself, to accurately detect whether water is present in the water tank 102.
[0038] In some embodiments, the water level sensor 106 can utilize a circuit such that when water is present in the interior region 822 of the water level sensor 106, current flows between the first electrode 824 and the second electrode 826, such that the electrodes act as a closed circuit, causing the circuit to output a first value, such as +5 volts. However, when water is not present in the interior region 822 of the water level sensor 106, current is generally prevented from flowing between the first electrode 824 and the second electrode 826, causing the electrodes to act as an open circuit, causing the circuit to output a second value, such as 0 volts. Thus, the processor will know whether water is present in the water tank 102 based on the voltage output by the circuit of the water level sensor 102. In some embodiments, the circuit can be positioned on the printed circuit board 122 and communicate with the first electrode 824 and the second electrode 826 positioned within the interior region 822 of the water level sensor 106.
[0039] In other embodiments, the processor can operate in conjunction with the water level sensor 106 to determine whether water is present in the water tank 102 by measuring the resistance between the two electrodes 824, 826 of the water level sensor 106 and comparing the measured resistance to a threshold value. In some embodiments, when the measured resistance exceeds the threshold value, the water level sensor 106 indicates that water is not present in the water tank 102. Alternatively, when the measured resistance does not exceed the threshold value, the water level sensor 106 indicates that water is present in the water tank 102. It should be understood that any threshold value can be used that accurately indicates whether water is present in the interior area 822 of the water level sensor 106, and thus also indicates whether water is present in the water tank 102.
[0040] In some embodiments, the water level sensor 106 may include one or more vent tubes 830 that vent bubbles that enter the interior area 822 from the water tank 102. The bubbles may interfere with the resistance between the measuring electrodes 824, 826 and cause the water level sensor 106 to provide a false positive that the water tank 102 is empty. In some embodiments, the vent tube 830 may include a first tube positioned above the first electrode 824 and a second tube positioned above the second electrode 826 to better vent bubbles from around the electrodes.
[0041] In some embodiments, the vent tube 830 leads from the water level sensor 106 to the three-way connector 110, as described below. However, in other embodiments, the vent tube 830 can vent bubbles to the ambient air. In these embodiments, the end of the vent tube 830 that leads to the ambient air is positioned above the water level of the water tank 102 so that water does not flow out of the vent tube 830.
[0042] In some embodiments, the shape of the water level sensor 106, alone or when coupled to the tank connector 104, is used to direct air bubbles within the interior region 822 of the water level sensor 106 upwardly through the tank connector 104 back into the tank 102. For example, the shape forming the top of the interior region 822 of the water level sensor 106 coupled to the tank connector 104 can be sloped to encourage air bubbles to move toward the tank 102.
[0043] Reference again Figure 2-7 , water from the water tank 102 flows to the boiler 108 through the water tank connector 104 and the water level sensor 106. When the user initiates a brew cycle and the water level sensor 106 indicates that water is present in the water tank 102, the processor of the printed circuit board 122 initiates heating of the boiler 108. It will be appreciated that, in an alternative, when the user attempts to initiate a brew cycle and the water level sensor 106 indicates that water is not present in the water tank 102, the processor of the printed circuit board 122 will prevent initiation of a brew cycle and will not initiate heating of the boiler 108.
[0044] Fig.10 is a front view of a form of a water boiler 108 of a drip coffee machine 100, Fig.11 yes Fig.10 Cross-sectional view of a water boiler. Fig.10 and 11As shown, in some embodiments, the boiler 108 includes a heating element 1032, such as a resistance wire, which at least partially surrounds the exterior of the boiler 108 to heat water within the interior cavity 1034 of the boiler 108. During a brewing cycle, water flows into the interior cavity 1034 from a bottom orifice 1036 located at the bottom of the interior cavity 1034. As the water is heated within the interior cavity 1034 of the boiler, the water percolates, rises, and exits the interior cavity 1034 at a top orifice 1038 located at the top of the interior cavity 1034.
[0045] In some embodiments, the boiler 108 may be a high power 1400 watt boiler in which the interior cavity 1034 is cylindrical and holds approximately two to three ounces of water. However, in other embodiments, boilers of different wattages having interior cavities 1034 of other shapes and / or holding different volumes of water may be used.
[0046] Typically, once the heating element 1032 of a boiler 108 such as those described above is turned on, the boiler 108 can heat a sufficient amount of water in the drip coffee maker 100 to begin dispensing brewed coffee into the carafe 116 within 15-30 seconds. Additionally, once the heating element 1032 of a boiler 108 such as those described above is turned off, the boiler 108 can cool enough to stop generating undesirable steam and / or pressure within the drip coffee maker 100 within a few seconds.
[0047] When the brew cycle is complete, the processor of the printed circuit board 122 may turn off the heating element 1032 of the boiler 108 to prevent the generation of steam and pressure within the elements of the drip coffee maker 100. Similarly, during the brew cycle, if the water level sensor 106 indicates that there is no water in the water tank 102, the processor of the printed circuit board 122 may turn off the heating element 1032 of the boiler 108 and end the brew cycle to prevent the generation of steam and pressure within the elements of the drip coffee maker 100.
[0048] In some embodiments, when the water level sensor 106 indicates that there is no water in the water tank 102, the processor of the printed circuit board 122 can immediately turn off the heating element 1032 of the boiler 108. However, in other embodiments, when the water level sensor 106 indicates that there is no water in the water tank 102, the processor of the printed circuit board 122 can delay turning off the heating element 1032 of the boiler 108. In these embodiments, the processor of the printed circuit board 122 can delay turning off the heating element 1032 of the boiler 108 based on the amount of water known to be present in the brewing path between the water level sensor 106 and the boiler 108.
[0049] Reference again Figure 1-7When the hot water leaves the boiler 108, it flows via a pipe to the three-way connector 110. The three-way connector 108 connects the pipe from the boiler 108 and the exhaust pipe 830 from the water level sensor 106 with the pipe leading to the water dispenser 112. Therefore, the heated water from the boiler 108 and any water and / or bubbles from the water level sensor 106 are directed to the water dispenser 112, where the water is directed to the coffee grounds positioned in the funnel 114.
[0050] As the water passes through the coffee grounds, the coffee exits the funnel 114 and is directed into the carafe 116, where the warming plate 118 can warm the coffee within the carafe 116. In some embodiments, the warming plate is controlled by a processor of the printed circuit board 118 to turn on immediately after a brew cycle is initiated, at the end of a brew cycle, or a period of time after the end of a brew cycle, for example, when the water level sensor 106 indicates that no water is present in the water tank 102 during a brew cycle, or when a user interacts with the control panel / display 120 to turn on the warming plate 118.
[0051] Fig.12 is a flow chart of one form of a method for operating a drip coffee maker such as those described above, which includes a water level sensor and a heating source such as a boiler.
[0052] At step 1202, a user interacts with the control panel / display of the drip coffee maker to request initiation of a brew cycle.
[0053] At step 1204, a processor of the drip coffee maker in communication with the control panel / display receives the request.
[0054] At step 1206, the processor communicates with a water level sensor located at the junction where the water tank is connected to the drip coffee maker to determine whether water is present in the water tank. As described above, in some embodiments, this may include the processor measuring the resistance between two electrodes of the water level sensor and comparing the measured resistance to a threshold value to determine whether water is present in the water tank. In other embodiments, this may include the processor measuring a voltage output by the water level sensor, wherein the water level sensor outputs a first voltage when water is present in the water tank, and the water level sensor outputs a second voltage when water is not present in the water tank.
[0055] When the processor determines at step 1206 that water is not present in the water tank, at step 1208 the processor prevents the drip coffee maker from initiating a brew cycle and the method ends 1210 .
[0056] When the processor determines at step 1206 that water is present in the water tank, at step 1212 the processor turns on a heating source, such as a heating element of a boiler, and initiates a brew cycle. As previously described, in some embodiments, the brew cycle may be configured to run until the water tank is emptied. In other embodiments, the brew cycle may be configured to run for a set amount of time, or to brew a set volume of coffee, to brew a volume of coffee that is less than the total volume of water in the water tank. In some embodiments, a user may selectively control whether the brew cycle runs until the water tank is emptied, or for a set amount of time, or for a set volume of coffee.
[0057] During the brew cycle, at step 1214, the processor communicates with the water level sensor to monitor whether water is present in the water tank. As described above, in some embodiments, this may include the processor measuring the resistance between two electrodes of the water level sensor and comparing the measured resistance to a threshold value to determine whether water is present in the water tank. In other embodiments, this may include the processor measuring a voltage output by the water level sensor, wherein the water level sensor outputs a first voltage when water is present in the water tank, and the water level sensor outputs a second voltage when water is not present in the water tank.
[0058] At step 1216, the processor determines that water is not present in the water tank during the brewing cycle based on information from the water level sensor. In response, at step 1218, the processor turns off the heating source of the drip coffee maker, such as turning off the heating element of the boiler, and ends the brewing cycle.
[0059] In some implementations, at step 1220 , the processor may perform additional functions after turning off the heating source, such as turning on a warming plate of a drip coffee maker to warm a pot of coffee before the method ends at step 1210 .
[0060] As above combined Figure 1-12 As described, the present disclosure provides a drip coffee maker with an electric water level sensor. The electric water level sensor can be positioned at the junction of the water tank and the drip coffee maker to accurately determine when water is no longer present in the water tank. Based on the indication from the water level sensor, the drip coffee maker is able to shut off the heating source of the drip coffee maker, such as the heating element of a boiler, and end the brewing cycle before excessive steam, pressure and / or noise is generated in the brewing element of the drip coffee maker. Preventing excessive steam and pressure in the brewing element of the drip coffee maker protects the brewing element of the drip coffee maker from damage. Similarly, preventing the possibility of external bursts of steam and / or noise emitted by the drip coffee maker can improve the user experience.
[0061] The above disclosure is intended to illustrate the present invention rather than to limit the present invention. Since those skilled in the art may conceive of modifications to the disclosed forms and embodiments in combination with the spirit and substance of the present invention, the present invention should be interpreted as including all contents within the scope of the attached claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A drip coffee machine, comprising: a water level sensor positioned at a junction where a water tank within the drip coffee maker is connected to the drip coffee maker, the water level sensor defining an interior region configured to receive water flowing from the water tank, the water level sensor comprising a pair of electrodes positioned within the interior region, wherein a resistance between the pair of electrodes indicates whether water is present in the water tank; a water boiler including a heating element surrounding at least a portion of an exterior of the water boiler, the water boiler being configured to receive water flowing from the water level sensor and to heat the received water using the heating element; as well as A processor is in communication with the water level sensor and the boiler, the processor being configured to turn the heating element of the boiler on and off based in part on the resistance between the pair of electrodes of the water level sensor.
2. The drip coffee machine according to claim 1, wherein: The water tank is fixed to the drip coffee maker.
3. The drip coffee machine according to claim 1, wherein: The water tank is removable from the drip coffee maker; and The drip coffee maker further includes a water tank connector configured to couple with the water tank and receive water from the water tank; and The water level sensor is in communication with the water tank connector.
4. The drip coffee machine according to claim 1, wherein: The processor is configured to allow the boiler to continue to operate and heat water during a brew cycle until no water is present in the water tank.
5. The drip coffee machine according to claim 1, wherein: The water level sensor comprises a circuit configured to: outputting a first voltage when a first level of resistance exists between the first electrode and the second electrode, thereby indicating the presence of water in the water tank; as well as When a second level of resistance exists between the first electrode and the second electrode, a second voltage is output, indicating that no water is present in the water tank.
6. The drip coffee machine according to claim 1, wherein: The processor is configured to: measuring the resistance between the two electrodes; comparing the measured amount of resistance to a threshold value; and Whether water exists in the water tank is determined based on whether the measured resistance amount exceeds the threshold value.
7. The drip coffee machine according to claim 6, wherein: The processor is configured to prevent initiation of a brew cycle of the drip coffee maker upon determining that no water is present in the water tank.
8. The drip coffee machine according to claim 6, wherein: The processor is configured to turn on the heating element of the boiler upon determining that water is present in the water tank and a brewing cycle is to begin.
9. The drip coffee machine according to claim 6, wherein: The processor is configured to shut off the heating element of the boiler upon determining that no water is present in the water tank during a brew cycle.
10. The drip coffee machine according to claim 1, wherein: The water level sensor further includes a conduit in communication with the interior region of the water level sensor, the conduit being configured to exhaust air from the interior region of the water level sensor.
11. The drip coffee machine according to claim 10, wherein: The conduit includes a first tube positioned above the first electrode and a second tube positioned above the second electrode.
12. The drip coffee machine according to claim 10, wherein: The duct exhausts air into the brewing path of the drip coffee maker.
13. The drip coffee machine according to claim 12, further comprising: a water dispenser configured to receive water that has been heated by the boiler and direct the water to flow over ground coffee beans located in the drip coffee maker; as well as A three-way connector is configured to receive water from the boiler, receive at least one of air or water from the conduit of the water level sensor, and direct the water to the water dispenser.
14. A drip coffee machine, comprising: a water tank connector configured to couple with a water tank and receive water from the water tank; a water level sensor configured to couple with the water tank connector, the water level sensor defining an interior region configured to receive water flowing from the water tank, the water level sensor including a pair of electrodes positioned within the interior region, wherein a resistance between the pair of electrodes indicates whether water is present in the water tank; a heating source configured to receive water flowing from the water level sensor and heat the received water; as well as a processor in communication with the water level sensor and the heating source, the processor being configured to turn the heating source on and off based in part on a resistance between the pair of electrodes of the water level sensor, wherein the processor is configured to turn the heating source off and end a brewing cycle when the resistance between the pair of electrodes of the water level sensor indicates that water is not present in the water tank.
15. The drip coffee maker according to claim 14, wherein: The heating source is a water boiler including a heating element surrounding at least a portion of an exterior of the water boiler, the heating element being configured to heat water in the water boiler; as well as During a brew cycle, the boiler is configured to continue heating water until the processor turns off the heating element and ends the brew cycle when the resistance between the pair of electrodes of the water level sensor indicates that water is not present in the water tank.
16. The drip coffee machine according to claim 14, wherein: The water tank is removable.
17. A method of operating a drip coffee machine, the method comprising: measuring, with a processor of the drip coffee maker, a resistance between two electrodes of a water level sensor positioned at a junction where a water tank is connected to the drip coffee maker during a brew cycle of the drip coffee maker, wherein the resistance between the two electrodes of the water level sensor indicates whether water is present in the water tank; determining, with the processor, that no water is present in the water tank during the brew cycle based on a measured resistance between the two electrodes of the water level sensor; as well as A heating source of the drip coffee maker is shut off, with the processor, based on determining that no water is present in the water tank during the brew cycle, the heating source being configured to heat water from the water tank.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein: The heating source is a water boiler including a heating element at least partially surrounding an exterior of the water boiler, the heating element being configured to heat water in the water boiler; Turning off the heating source comprises turning off the heating element of the boiler using the processor; and The boiler continues to operate during the brew cycle to heat water within the boiler until the processor shuts off the heating source based on a determination that no water is present in the water tank.
19. The method according to claim 17, wherein: The water tank is removable.
20. The method of claim 17, further comprising: receiving, with the processor, a request to initiate the brew cycle; measuring, using the processor, a resistance between the two electrodes of the water level sensor before the brewing cycle begins; determining, with the processor, the presence of water in the water tank based on a measured resistance between the two electrodes of the water level sensor before the brew cycle begins; as well as After determining that water is present in the water tank, prior to initiating the brew cycle, the processor is used to turn on the heating source of the drip coffee maker and initiate the brew cycle.