ELECTRICALLY OPERATED BEVERAGE MAKER (PREFERABLY: COFFEE MACHINE) WITH DYNAMIC MAINTENANCE PLAN GENERATION

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrically operated beverage maker, which is an electrically operated coffee machine, according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a method for operating such an electrically operated beverage maker.

[0002] According to the state of the art, maintenance-relevant parts or components of beverage makers are replaced after a running time or number of cycles determined for the respective component (the latter, for example, expressed in the number of brewing processes already completed by the respective component in the case of a coffee machine as a beverage maker). Based on the running time or number of cycles, maintenance appointments can be scheduled so that the beverage maker (hereinafter also generally referred to as the machine) is as reliable as possible while taking into account a reasonable amount of effort. Typical running times can be based on field evaluations or endurance test data and can be defined on the basis of a typical failure rate as a function of cycles or running time (for example: 2%). These cycles or running times of components are counted on the machine, and necessary maintenance is then displayed at a time x.Example: Maintenance of a coffee machine's brewer after a certain number of brewing cycles. "Smart" machines often allow a certain amount of time to "override" the indicator that a specific component requires maintenance. This means, for example, that a certain number of cycles or a certain runtime are still possible, even though a maintenance indicator has already been issued, before the system itself blocks this component and / or demands a mandatory component replacement. Documents DE 10 2013 101875 A1 and US 2012 / 245732 disclose devices that can determine maintenance dates for maintenance-relevant components.

[0003] Based on this prior art, the object of the present invention is to more flexibly assess the maintenance requirements of beverage maker components. Furthermore, the object is to calculate or predict optimal maintenance dates for the components based on such a more flexible assessment.

[0004] The starting point for the consideration of the present invention is that the relatively rigid system known from the prior art often does not take into account that components of the beverage maker are exposed to different actual loads depending on the location and / or operating conditions of the beverage maker, meaning that components could potentially be in operation longer than their running time or number of cycles alone indicates (or a customer might be willing to accept certain reductions in quality in order to save maintenance costs). Likewise, with the known rigid systems it is difficult to assess whether another component might possibly last until the next maintenance. The present invention is therefore also based on the idea that the best quality does not necessarily have to be the goal of maintenance, but that the goal of maintenance can also be to reliably ensure sufficient quality at optimized costs.

[0005] These objects are achieved by an electrically operated beverage maker according to claim 1 and by a method according to claim 6. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims.

[0006] The present invention will now be described in general terms and then in detail using an exemplary embodiment.

[0007] A beverage maker according to the invention can be found in claim 1. A method according to the invention can be found in claim 6.

[0008] In the following, the beverage maker is also referred to as a machine and is described in particular using the example of a coffee machine. The beverage maker according to the invention is a coffee machine.

[0009] The term "load characteristic" is alternatively referred to below as "load factor." This can be a single characteristic, but the load characteristic of a component can also comprise several individual characteristic numbers describing different aspects of the actual wear of the component in question (e.g., the wear due to the temperature profile and the wear due to the pressure profile to which a seal of the coffee machine is exposed over the course of the machine's operating life) or of different components (e.g., several sealing parts, each of which has such a temperature and / or pressure profile recorded over time). According to the invention, the load characteristic(s) of the maintenance-relevant component(s) can be determined based on one or more operating parameters recorded by the beverage maker and / or based on one or more sensors of the beverage maker.

[0010] The load characteristic can be determined in the form of one or more curve(s) and / or characteristic number(s) derived therefrom (for example, the current consumption and the voltage consumption over a defined period of time as two curves in order to determine or calculate the actual electrical work performed by the motor as a load characteristic or load factor of a motor of the grinder of a coffee machine from these curves using a central control unit of the machine designed as a microcontroller). A component according to claim 1 is generally a component of the beverage maker, but it can also be a component of a unit external to the beverage maker, which is connected to the beverage maker and cooperates with it to produce a desired beverage.

[0011] The reliability parameter is also referred to below as the "reliability or quality level." The reliability parameter is a parameter (in the form of a single key figure or a single numerical value, an n-tuple of numerical values, or in the form of one or more curves) that allows a statement to be made about the current reliability and / or the current quality of the component (or parts thereof) and / or about a predicted future reliability and / or quality of the component. The reliability parameter can thus describe the condition of a component with regard to its service life. The reliability parameter or the reliability or quality level can also be divided into a plurality of phases (e.g., 1 to x).

[0012] The reliability parameter can also be represented as a numerical value, for example the currently given failure probability per time interval (or the failure probability up to a calculated point in time, e.g. a point in time at which maintenance is required). The reliability parameter can also take the form of a failure probability curve over time (in particular: how a (predicted) failure probability per unit of time changes over time, i.e. increases). The reliability parameter can therefore also take the form of a trend curve that characterizes a maintenance effort that increases over time (expressed, for example, in the number of parts of a component that need to be replaced). Just like the load parameter, the reliability parameter can also contain several individual key figures.For example, several key performance indicators that take into account different reasons for a component's failure (e.g., related to different components of a component, such as the brewing group, that can fail). The calculation of the reliability indicator of a maintenance-relevant component can also include one or more specific load indicators of one or more other maintenance-relevant components.

[0013] From such a reliability parameter, further parameters related to the need for maintenance of the affected component can then be determined. An example of this is determining the time for urgent maintenance of said component when the failure probability per time interval for this component exceeds a first predefined value, or the time for recommended maintenance of said component when the failure probability per time unit of this component exceeds a second predefined value (where the first predefined value is greater than the second predefined value). See also the following examples.

[0014] The term "maintenance relevance" is understood according to the invention to mean that the corresponding component (usually after it has been dismantled or removed from the machine) is to be repaired or replaced with a new part of the corresponding component in order to restore the full functionality or at least a certain minimum functionality of the beverage maker. The beverage maker can have a microprocessor-based, central control unit by means of which the load characteristics and the reliability characteristics of the maintenance-relevant components can be calculated. Maintenance relevance also includes maintenance work that can be carried out by the operator to care for the machine, such as system cleaning or cleaning of individual components.According to the invention, maintenance relevance is understood to mean everything that is necessary or helpful to restore or maintain the correct function of the corresponding component.

[0015] The actual operating time (hereinafter also referred to as runtime) is the accumulated period of time that indicates how long the component in question was actually in operation (e.g. the period of time a motor was actually in operation, regardless of its actual current and voltage consumption during operation, or the period of time pressure was applied to a seal, regardless of the specific level of the applied pressure). An operating time indicator can, for example, be understood as the number of brewing cycles of an electric coffee machine as a beverage maker (this number is also referred to below as the number of cycles) that the component in question has actually completed to date.

[0016] In contrast to the load characteristic, the operating time or the operating time index or the running time or the number of cycles do not indicate the actual wear of such a component, but only the period of time over which the said component was actually in operation (so that only a simplified, rough estimate of the actual wear of the said component would be possible).

[0017] Further advantageously realizable features of the invention can be found in claim 2.

[0018] The predefined properties (hereinafter also referred to as "component setup") can, in particular, be measurable technical properties, e.g., mechanical, electrical, or electronic. Examples include the quality of grinding discs in a coffee machine's grinder, expressed, for example, in the grinding disc material used and / or the hardness of the grinding discs. Such predefined properties can also be fixed, but not measurable, technical properties, such as the quality level of a seal used or a type (type or functional principle) of a water filter, etc.

[0019] Operating parameters can be parameters that are determined during machine operation (and, for example, recorded with their time-dependent progression in a data memory of the machine). Examples of this are the current consumption and voltage consumption of a motor in the grinder of a coffee machine: From this, as already described, the actual electrical work performed by the motor can be calculated and used to calculate the reliability parameter of this motor. Likewise, the (current) brightness of a display on the beverage maker can be recorded using a photo sensor, whereby the degree of wear (for example due to soiling and / or a decrease in brightness) of the display's background lighting can be determined. Pressure or force sensors can record mechanical loads (or load progressions over time) on components or parts thereof, whereby their actual degree of wear can be determined, for example.in the form of increasing fracture probability over time.

[0020] Further advantageously realizable features can be found in claim 3.

[0021] According to claim 1, a maintenance instruction can be (or include) a maintenance time, a maintenance recommendation, and / or a maintenance command directed to the beverage maker itself. A maintenance time can be, in particular, a time at which the reliability parameter calculated as a predicted failure probability curve for the component will assume a predefined value or exceed or fall below it. For example, the associated maintenance recommendation can then be displayed on a display of the beverage maker: "Component ... [name of the component] is expected to fail within the next ... [= calculated maintenance time] operating hours. Replacing this component is recommended urgently / soon / ... [depending on the calculated time]."

[0022] For example, a command such as "Lock the beverage maker [or the affected component] after another ... [predefined number of still permitted beverages]" can be generated or coded as a maintenance command, which can also be displayed as a maintenance recommendation: In such a case, the number of remaining beverage cycles is counted and, once this number is reached, the machine (or the affected component) is automatically locked until the corresponding component has been replaced, repaired, maintained, or cleaned.

[0023] "Warning points" can also be calculated as maintenance points, and corresponding maintenance recommendations can be displayed at these times (e.g., "Component ... [affected component] will soon be used up") without generating or codifying specific maintenance commands. This allows the component to be overrun, meaning it can continue to be used for a certain period of time or number of cycles, even though it is actually already used up. Thus, the reliability and quality of a component decrease (and thus the probability of failure increases) the longer a component has been overrun.

[0024] According to the invention, the term "need for maintenance" can be understood as a defined condition in which a reliability parameter or a reliability or quality level of this component is no longer achieved.

[0025] Maintenance-relevant components can, in particular, be components, individual parts, or functional groups of the beverage maker that require regular maintenance to ensure the reliability and quality of the beverage maker. Examples include water filters, grinders, pumps, fans, seals, display elements, operating elements, outlets, etc. According to the invention, maintenance can be understood as an intervention by a service technician (or even an operator) to maintain machine safety and quality.

[0026] Further advantageously realizable features can be found in claim 4.

[0027] Environmental conditions are parameters that characterize the actual or planned installation location of the beverage maker. These can be physical parameters (e.g., humidity or temperature, which can be included in the calculation of a reliability parameter for the seals, valves, fans, or dispensers, or ambient brightness, which can be included in a minimum display brightness as a reliability parameter that the machine's display must meet) or chemical parameters (e.g., use of the machine in commercial kitchens or canteens with greasy and humid environments, or use of the machine in areas with low-mineral water, which is very aggressive and can attack seals and other materials).

[0028] The beverage maker can have appropriate sensors to record such parameters (e.g. ambient temperature sensor or pressure sensor).

[0029] The external computing device is alternatively referred to below as an outsourced system, (external) computer, or (external) server. Further advantageously implementable features can be found in claim 5.

[0030] Preferably, a load characteristic and the calculation of a reliability characteristic are carried out for each of the maintenance-relevant components mentioned in this claim (a coffee machine as a beverage maker).

[0031] The present invention will be explained below using an embodiment according to the following Figures 1 to 8b described in detail.

[0032] Showing: Figure 1 the basic structure of a coffee machine according to the invention. Figure 2the procedure of the invention in determining reliability parameters. Figure 3 an example of the inventive assessment of the need for maintenance of components with phase division. Figure 4 an example of a reliability parameter according to the invention in the form of a failure probability per unit of time as a function of the operating time of the corresponding component. Figure 5a an example of maintenance possible according to the invention with fixed time intervals of the maintenance intervals and variable maintenance scope per maintenance process. Figure 5b another example in which the maintenance or the scope of maintenance is fixed for each maintenance process, but the time intervals between the individual maintenance processes are calculated differently according to the invention depending on the maintenance requirement (based on the specific load parameter(s)) (dynamic maintenance). Figure 5can example for calculating the next maintenance time after evaluating the first, fixed time period from Figure 5b . Figure 5d an inventive calculation of maintenance processes in which both the time intervals of the individual maintenance processes and their maintenance scope are calculated or varied. Figure 6 : Examples of failure probabilities per time interval as a function of the operating time for various components, which can be taken into account according to the invention when calculating the reliability parameters of the components. Figures 7a and 7b Examples of basic indicators for maintenance-relevant components that can be taken into account when calculating component reliability parameters. Figures 8a and 8b Examples of reliability parameters calculated according to the invention and user- or device-specific parameters derived therefrom.

[0033] Figure 1shows the structure of a coffee machine 1 according to the invention in a simplified diagram. The basic elements of the coffee machine 1 according to the invention that do not relate to the present invention are described on pages 9 to 11 inclusive of WO 2013 / 117362 A1, so that these three description pages, with their entire disclosure content, are incorporated into the exemplary embodiment of the present application.The maintenance-relevant components subject to wear according to the present invention, which are considered in the present exemplary embodiment, are the grinder 2a (corresponds to the grinder 21 in WO 2013 / 117362 A1), the drive motor 2b of the grinder 2a (reference number 22 in WO 2013 / 117362 A1), the pump 2c (corresponding to reference number 31 in WO 2013 / 117362 A1) to the boiler 28 of the coffee machine 1, the optical display 2d (corresponds to the display 27 in WO 2013 / 117362 A1) and the operating unit with push buttons 2e of the coffee machine 1 (corresponds to the operating unit 26 in WO 2013 / 117362 A1). The maintenance-relevant component 2d or the display is provided with the reference numeral 6 here, since it is itself a maintenance-relevant component, but also serves to output maintenance instructions for all maintenance-relevant components 2a to 2e. The unit consisting of the display 2d or6 and control unit 2e is marked with the reference number 25.

[0034] The components not relevant to the present invention (cf. pages 9 to 11 of WO 2013 / 117362 A1) are as follows: portafilter 11, portafilter holder 12, handle 13 of portafilter 11, outlet opening 14 of portafilter 11, brewing chamber 15, ground coffee 16 (in portafilter 11), portafilter lock 18, bean container 20, coffee grinder 19 (comprising grinder 2a, drive motor 2b thereof and bean container 20), chute 23 from grinder 2a into portafilter 11, distributor sieve element in the manner of a piston 33, drive unit 32 of element 33, hot water heater 28 and cold water connection of machine 1 with reference number 29.

[0035] According to the invention, in addition to the maintenance-relevant components 2a to 2e, the features 3 to 7 of the coffee machine 1, which are described below, as well as the coffee machine-external computing device 8 and the bidirectional data line 8a, which connects this external computing device 8 to the central control unit 7 of the coffee machine 1 (the connection can be made via the Internet), are crucial. The central control unit 7 corresponds to the central control unit 24 from WO 2013 / 117362 A1, expanded by corresponding hardware elements and programs according to the present invention. Reference numeral 3 designates the load parameters characterizing the actual wear of the components 2a to 2e. Reference numeral 4 designates the reliability parameters of the components 2a to 2e calculated by the control unit 7, taking into account the respective load parameters 3 of the maintenance-relevant components 2a to 2e.Reference numeral 5 denotes the actual operating times of the maintenance-relevant components 2a to 2e (characterizing operating time indicators 5 of the components 2a to 2e expressed in the respective operating time of the component under consideration). The load parameters 3, reliability parameters 4, and operating time indicators 5 are recorded or calculated by the control unit 7 and stored in a data memory (not shown) of the control unit 7.

[0036] According to the invention, the actual electrical work performed by the motor 2b, calculated from the actual current consumption and the actual voltage consumption over the operating time of the motor 2b, is used as load characteristic 3 of the drive motor 2b, for example. The current consumption and the voltage consumption are used as operating data continuously recorded in the memory of the control unit 7 during the operation of the machine 1. The electrical work is then calculated from the motor running time, the current consumption during this running time, and the voltage consumption during this running time. According to the invention, the (time-dependent) failure probability per unit of time of the motor 2b is continuously calculated as reliability characteristic 4 of the motor 2b, for example, from the aforementioned load characteristic 3 of the motor 2b over the running time of the motor 2b using the control unit 7.As soon as this failure probability per unit of time exceeds a predefined value, a corresponding warning can be displayed in display 6 (e.g. "Grinder drive motor worn out. Please contact maintenance service.").

[0037] Another example is the display 2d, which decreases in brightness over time. Here, the luminosity of the backlight of the display 2d is measured using a photodiode (not shown) and is referred to as load parameter 3 of the display 2d. Alternatively, this luminosity can also be calculated from the switch-on time and the brightness value set by the user. This load parameter characterizes the aging process of the display 2d. The load parameter 3 of the display 2d can be used directly as the reliability parameter 4 of the display 2d: In general terms, for a maintenance-relevant component, the reliability parameter 4 can therefore be identical to the load parameter 3 of the maintenance-relevant component in question. As soon as the said load parameter 3 or reliability parameter 4 of the display 2d falls below a predefined value (minimum brightness), a warning message can be displayed on the display 2d or6 as maintenance recommendation "Display unit worn out, please replace component."

[0038] Likewise, using suitable sensors (not shown) of the coffee machine 1, the wear and tear of the buttons on the control unit 2e (e.g., using a noise sensor) and of the pump 2c (e.g., using a pressure sensor) can be measured in order to determine suitable load parameters 3 for these components 2c, 2e, from which suitable reliability parameters 4 for these two components 2c, 2e can then be calculated. The same applies to the grinder 2a, which can be measured, for example, with regard to the condition of its grinding discs using an optical sensor (not shown). In the case of the grinder 2a, in addition to the recorded measured values, the quality (e.g., material quality) of the grinding discs can be included in the load parameter 3 of the grinder 2a. Likewise, the brewing pressure and brewing time can be measured: If these increase, the fine dust content of the coffee grounds has increased, which is an indicator of wear and tear on the grinding discs.

[0039] Figure 2shows how in the machine according to Figure 1 According to the invention, maintenance plans, failure forecasts, quality levels for identifying the current component quality, etc. can be drawn up on the basis of the determined load parameters 3 and the reliability parameters 4 calculated from them for the maintenance-relevant components 2a to 2e ( Figure 2 , middle column). The actual operating times or actually completed work cycles of the individual components can also be included in the preparation of the maintenance plans, forecasts and / or quality levels (via corresponding counter readings recorded in the control unit 7) (dashed arrow in Figure 2 ). According to Figure 2 It would also be possible, in a simplified manner, to take into account only the actual operating time of a component when drawing up a maintenance plan ( Figure 2 , left column): This corresponds to what is already known from the state of the art.

[0040] According to the invention, an electric beverage maker is thus enabled that is capable of planning and forecasting maintenance appointments or of implementing a method for planning and forecasting maintenance appointments. All calculations (e.g., the load parameters 3 and the reliability parameters 4, also taking into account the operating time parameters 5 of the components 2a to 2e) can be performed in the control unit 7 of the machine 1 itself. However, it is also possible for only basic data to be recorded by the machine 1 itself and sent to a remote system (central server) 8 via the bidirectional data line 8a (e.g., via the Internet).The corresponding calculations are then performed in system 8, and the calculation results, in particular the maintenance instructions determined from the calculated reliability parameters, can be transmitted back to machine 1 via the bidirectional data line 8a for display on its display 6. This has the advantage that the calculation of the reliability parameters or the maintenance information or maintenance forecasts derived from them can be adapted on the external server 8 according to the latest findings, without the programming of the central control unit 7 of machine 1 having to be changed accordingly at the installation site of machine 1. (Of course, it is also possible to change this programming via remote maintenance via the bidirectional data line 8a in machine 1.)

[0041] According to the invention, the maintenance requirement of components 2a to 2e can thus be calculated based on their respective actual load, e.g., in the form of wear functions. The maintenance requirement of a maintenance-relevant component can be individually planned using one or more reliability parameters assigned to the component. Maintenance scopes and / or maintenance frequencies can be determined by target specifications for maintenance costs and / or reliability requirements (e.g., cumulative reliability or quality levels of machine 1). Suitable curve functions can be used to calculate reliability parameters of components.

[0042] According to the invention, the calculation of failure forecasts and / or maintenance times is possible on the machine 1 itself or with the aid of an external system 8. Calculated maintenance times and maintenance scopes can be used to plan service intervals and to plan a service network for sold coffee machines 1. Past operating data can also be included in future maintenance planning via interpolation. Changes in usage behavior can also be taken into account when creating a forecast (e.g., different operation of coffee machines in the summer and winter half-year). Different maintenance instructions can be generated based on the calculated reliability parameters of different maintenance-relevant components: For example,For a control unit of a coffee machine installed indoors within a building, different maintenance instructions may be generated than for a coffee machine installed outdoors. Calculations of reliability parameters or reliability or quality levels of different components (or of the entire device 1) can be performed for an assumed maintenance schedule. In particular, sensors (e.g., noise sensors, pressure sensors, etc.) can be used to record the actual wear and tear of maintenance-relevant components.

[0043] For example, according to the invention, maintenance of the grinder 2a can be carried out taking into account the actual load on this grinder (which may be different from that on other components of the machine 1): For example, the load on a grinder or its mill depends on how often the grinder is used (often several grinders 2a are installed in the machine 1, which then have different running times depending on the beverage distribution), but also on the actual power (current consumption x voltage consumption) with which the grinder is operated and for what time (specified, for example, in Wh). Another key figure that is included in the load characteristic of the grinder is, for example, the type of bean used (hard, foreign matter content, bean quality), since this also influences the wear of the grinding disc.

[0044] According to the invention, the reliability parameters of maintenance-relevant components of a beverage maker can thus be determined based on load factors of the components (which can be determined, for example, via sensors or read from machine operating data). In addition, the pure counter readings or cycle numbers can also be taken into account: e.g., number of brewing cycles, number of grinder dosings, valve cycle rates, motor running times, beverage counter readings, or the like. Fixed values ​​(such as the quality of grinding discs, the type of water filters used, etc.) can also be taken into account when determining the load parameters or calculating the reliability parameters. Such fixed values ​​can also be referred to as the machine setup.

[0045] According to the invention, load parameters (load factors) that characterize the actual wear of maintenance-relevant components are taken into account when calculating the reliability parameters of the components (e.g., quality level). For example, a seal ages significantly faster with increasing temperature. Using the (measured or indirectly determined) temperature profile at the seal over time, this factor or load parameter can be taken into account when calculating the reliability parameter of the seal as a maintenance-relevant component. As a further factor that is included in the load parameter of the seal, the actual pressure prevailing at the seal over time can be taken into account when calculating the reliability parameter. Alkalis or acids (e.g., during cleaning) also damage a seal.Considering the duration and frequency of cleaning as an additional factor in the seal's load characteristic can also be incorporated into the calculation of the seal's reliability characteristic. For a motor (e.g., of the grinder 2a), current monitoring and voltage monitoring are useful in addition to the pure on-time (running time): This allows conclusions to be drawn about the actual electrical work performed by the motor. Furthermore, the motor's starting current can also be included as a further factor in the calculation of the motor's reliability characteristic, for example, in order to optimally evaluate the motor's condition.

[0046] Such factors of load parameters or the load parameters can often be read out from the operating data of the machine 1 (e.g. from a suitable data memory of the central control unit 7) and can in particular also relate to measured values ​​(example: grinder running time multiplied by current and voltage). As described above, various factors of the load parameter(s) of the component can be included in the calculation formula for the reliability parameter of a component. For example, the load parameter for the grinding discs of a grinder 2a can take into account not only the number of operating cycles 5 that the grinding discs have actually completed during brewing, but also the proportion (grinder running time) per beverage, the type of bean (hard / soft / contaminated with foreign matter) and the quality of the grinding discs (inexpensive, high-quality). Load parameters or factors thereof can be read out just like curve functions (time courses) of load parameters orFactors thereof can be flexibly adapted according to the latest findings: It is advantageous to carry out the data processing on the external server 8 (e.g. to calculate the reliability parameters from the load parameters on the server 8) and then to display the conclusions from the calculated reliability parameters (in particular: corresponding maintenance instructions) on the display 6 of the machine 1.

[0047] According to the invention, in order to assess the need for maintenance of components, the conditions or reliability parameters of components can be divided into several phases. The criterion for when a component must be replaced can be selected differently. For certain components, reliable mechanical function may be the main focus (e.g. seals), so that only a small failure rate or probability of failure per unit of time can be accepted. Other components can gradually influence the beverage quality through signs of wear (e.g. grinding discs in grinder 2a), which, with a certain tolerance of the quality, does not initially represent a hard failure criterion. Other components (e.g. water filters) initially function relatively reliably over a long period of time and fail relatively precisely.

[0048] Thus, the ordinate (reliability parameter) over the abscissa (time), i.e. the reliability parameter curve for a component, can be divided into phases that can define different replacement criteria for the component. See the failure probability curve per time unit over time in Figure 4 with the corresponding phase division in Figure 3 (phase A, which is present in the time interval from 0 to z 1, transitions into phase B and finally into phase C). For example, at time z 1 during the expiration of phase A for a seal (line 3 in Fig. 3) an initial warning may be output as a maintenance recommendation on display 6 ("Seal is beginning to wear out."). At time z 2 , i.e., after phase B has ended, a more urgent maintenance recommendation may be output on display 6 ("Seal shows noticeable wear. Please replace."). At time z 3 , i.e., at a specific time in phase C or after phase C, an automated lockout of the machine may occur due to seal wear that is no longer tolerable: A corresponding maintenance command may be generated in control unit 7 that locks the function of machine 1, and the following may then be output simultaneously on display 6 as a maintenance "recommendation": "Seal worn out. Seal must be replaced before the machine can be put back into operation."

[0049] By finely structuring such phases or sections, maintenance can be easily adapted to customer needs. Figure 3shows a classification proposal for various phases with examples of maintenance-relevant components (left column from line 3). According to the invention, a cost-optimized maintenance plan (which comprises a few service appointments per time unit) can be generated. This can be done by extrapolating a date when the first of the maintenance-relevant components enters phase C. A suggestion for the follow-up date (for example, one year) can then be made. From this, it is now shown for such cost-optimized maintenance which components will enter phase B and which phase they would reach. Upon reaching phase C, the respective component is replaced; the components still in phase B can remain.

[0050] A maintenance plan with reliability-optimized maintenance can also be generated. This can extrapolate the date when the first maintenance-relevant component reaches Phase B. A suggested follow-up date (for example, one year) can then be made. This then shows which components will enter Phase B for reliability-optimized maintenance. Unlike with cost-optimized maintenance, these components are also replaced.

[0051] Figure 5a shows an example of fixed maintenance intervals: The time interval between the individual maintenance appointments is fixed, and the scope of maintenance is calculated according to the invention.

[0052] Figure 5bshows another example in which the initial maintenance is fixed, and the subsequent maintenance dates or intervals are dynamically calculated according to the invention. After evaluating the first (fixed) maintenance interval, the scope and timing of the next maintenance are calculated. See also the example in Figure 5c Accordingly, after evaluating the second maintenance interval ("dynamic" in Figure 5b ) the scope and the next maintenance time are calculated, etc.

[0053] Figure 5d shows a maintenance plan generation of the present invention, in which all maintenance intervals are set dynamically. At the start of use, a continuous projection can be made to determine the next maintenance time and scope.

[0054] Figure 6shows that a suitable curve function adapted to the component can be included in the calculation of the reliability parameter of a component (optimization for actual conditions). The background here is that not every maintenance-relevant component behaves linearly with regard to its quality (e.g. expressed as failure probability per unit of time on the ordinate). Thus, depending on the time (abscissa) or the number of cycles, a differently shaped curve function can be included in the calculation of the reliability parameter of a maintenance-relevant component. All factors already described, load parameter, operating data, operating time and sensors, can be part of the curve function. In addition to the Figure 6 In addition to the two-dimensional examples of curve functions shown, multidimensional curve functions of dimension ≥ 3 can also be taken into account. Figure 6shows examples of typical curve functions for various maintenance-relevant components of the coffee machine 1.

[0055] The calculation of the reliability parameters (and any parameters derived therefrom, such as maintenance instructions) can take place not only in the processor of the central control unit 7 of the machine 1, but also externally (connection via the data line 8a) in an external, outsourced system 8. For example, the determination steps for the load parameters 3 of a method according to the invention can take place by means of the control unit 7 of the machine 1, while the calculation steps for the reliability parameters 4 and the generation steps for the maintenance instructions can take place on the external system 8. The generated maintenance instructions, such as maintenance times, maintenance recommendations to be displayed, or maintenance commands directed to the machine, can then be transmitted from the external system 8 to the central control unit 7 via the data line 8a. The system 8 can thus communicate with the machine 1 via suitable interfaces.For example, the essential steps of a method according to the invention can be implemented as an application on the central server 8, which is assigned to the maintenance of the machine 1 or of several machines 1. Data from the machine(s) 1 can be transferred to the server 8 via an RDA module, Ethernet, or other common network communication interfaces. Failure data, operating parameters, load characteristics, recorded wear data, etc. during maintenance of replaced components can be stored for a specific machine 1 (or a machine population comprising several such machines) in an external database on the server 8 and also statistically evaluated. This can serve to optimize and update data for future calculations (evaluations) of maintenance data for individual components. Planning and forecasting maintenance appointments can require certain knowledge of the usage behavior of a machine 1.Such data recorded for components from the past can be collected to determine the actual wear of maintenance-relevant components for each component (e.g. in a database on the server 8) and extrapolated into the future under the assumption that future loads on the machine 1 or its components 2a to 2e also follow the pattern from the past.

[0056] If the case arises that machine 1 is used in a significantly different way than in the past (example: an ice cream parlor had a high load in the summer months, but a low load is expected for the upcoming winter months after maintenance in September because the ice cream parlor is only open for registered visitors), this can also be taken into account: Extrapolated parameters (e.g. expected brewing cycles per month, coffee bean usage per month, etc.) can be manipulated or adjusted according to the expected change in load and taken into account when calculating the expected wear and tear of various components (future load) or the expected future load can be calculated accordingly.

[0057] In practice, this can be done by calculating the abscissa of the reliability parameters or the curve functions (cf. e.g. Figures 4 and 6) each maintenance-relevant component is assigned a meaningful basic indicator. An example of the assignment of such basic indicators is shown Figure 7a Such a base indicator can be recorded in the machine data and extrapolated into the future. Base indicators can advantageously be: operating days, brewing cycles, water consumption. The base indicators can be linearly related to each other, see the example in Figure 7b .

[0058] Now, by entering an expected basic indicator (e.g. operating days, water consumption, brewing cycles), an extrapolation of the reliability parameters of all components of machine 1 can be made, since the various basic indicators of the different components are in a known relationship.

[0059] Depending on the installation location or the owner of machine 1, different requirements may be placed on the maintenance-relevant components. For example, a first owner (Customer A) with a location in a very bright environment may require a much higher quality level regarding display brightness than a second owner (Customer B), who operates machine 1 in a dark nightclub. Compare Figure 8a .

[0060] Desired reliability parameters (or quality levels) for each component can be assigned device-specifically in a customer-specific table. See example in Figure 8b .

[0061] Given a planned maintenance date, a reliability or quality level of each individual component (and thus also a reliability parameter of the entire machine 1) in the future can be determined by interpolating data.

[0062] In addition to fixed operating data or operating data readable from machine 1, other wear indicators can determine the actual load on maintenance-relevant components or contribute to the calculation of component reliability parameters. For example, measuring the display brightness can be used to determine the actual state of the display's backlight. Force sensors can determine the load on components (example: strain gauges applied to components subject to bending loads).

Claims

1. Electrically operated beverage maker, which is an electrically operated coffee machine (1), having at least one component (2a, 2b, ...) which is subjected to wear and tear and hence maintenance-relevant, wherein at least one load parameter (3) which characterizes an actual wear and tear of the maintenance-relevant component (2a, 2b, ...) can be determined, wherein the load parameter(s) of the maintenance-relevant component(s) can be determined on the basis of one or more operational parameter(s) detected by the beverage maker and / or or one or more sensor(s) of the beverage maker, characterized in that, in addition to the load parameter(s) (3) of the maintenance-relevant component, also an actual operational duration of the maintenance-relevant component, or an operational duration characteristic number (5) which characterizes this actual operational duration, can be determined by means of the beverage maker, wherein at least one reliability parameter (4) of the maintenance-relevant component (2a, 2b, ...) can be calculated, taking into account i) the specific load parameter(s) of the maintenance-relevant component (2a, 2b, ...), and ii) also the determined actual operational duration, or the operational duration characteristic number (5), wherein the at least one reliability parameter (4) of the maintenance-relevant component (2a, 2b, ...) describes the state of the maintenance-relevant component (2a, 2b, ...) with respect to the state of use thereof, wherein the determination of the load parameter(s) (3) of one or more maintenance-relevant component(s) (2a, 2b, ...) is effected in a central control unit (7) of the beverage maker, and a) the calculation of the reliability parameter(s) (4) of one or more maintenance-relevant component(s) (2a, 2b, ...) is effected in the central control unit (7) of the beverage maker, wherein the central control unit (7) is configured to generate, for at least one of the maintenance-relevant components (2a, 2b, ...), at least one maintenance instruction for the maintenance-relevant component (2a, 2b, ...) based on the calculated reliability parameter(s) thereof, and to display it on a display (6) of the beverage maker; or b) the beverage maker comprises an external computing device (8) which is connected to the central control unit (7) of the beverage maker via a bidirectional data line (8a), wherein a transmission of data about i) the specific load parameter(s) of the maintenance-relevant component (2a, 2b, ...), and ii) also the determined actual operational duration, or the operational duration characteristic number (5), which is necessary for the calculation of the reliability parameter(s) (4) of one or more maintenance-relevant component(s) (2a, 2b, ...), to the external computing device (8) is effected, and after said transmission, the calculation of the reliability parameter(s) (4) of one or more maintenance-relevant component(s) (2a, 2b, ...) is effected in this external computing device (8) before a transmission of at least one maintenance instruction for the maintenance-relevant component (2a, 2b, ...), which has been generated from the calculated reliability parameter(s), to the central control unit (7) is effected, wherein the central control unit (7) of the beverage maker is configured to make the beverage maker display the maintenance instruction on a display (6) of the beverage maker.

2. Beverage maker according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, when determining the load parameters (3) and / or when calculating the reliability parameter(s) (4) of the maintenance-relevant component(s), also one or more prescribed property / properties of the component(s) can be taken into account.

3. Beverage maker according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by a plurality of maintenance-relevant components (2a, 2b, ...), for which respectively one or more load parameter (3) which characterizes the respective component (2a, 2b, ...) can be determined, and for which respectively one or more reliability parameter(s) of the respective component (2a, 2b, ...) can be calculated from the determined load parameter(s) (3).

4. Beverage maker according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the calculation of the reliability parameter(s) (4) of at least one maintenance-relevant component (2a, 2b, ...) takes into account one or more environmental condition(s).

5. Beverage maker according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by one, several or all the maintenance-relevant component(s) (2a, 2b, ...) as follows: • one or more grinder(s) (2a), • one or more motor(s) (2b), • one or more pump(s) (2c), • one or more seal(s) • one or more valve(s), • one or more display element(s) (2d), • one or more operating element(s) (2e), • one or more water filter(s), • one or more cooling element(s), and / or • one or more outlet / outlets.

6. Method for operating a beverage maker according to one of the preceding claims, which is an electrically operated coffee machine (1) and has one or more component(s) (2a, 2b, ...) which are subjected to wear and tear and hence maintenance-relevant, wherein, for the one or more maintenance-relevant component(s) (2a, 2b, ...), respectively one or more load parameter(s) (3) which characterizes / characterize an actual wear and tear of the respective maintenance-relevant component (2a, 2b, ...) is / are determined, wherein the load parameter(s) of the maintenance-relevant component(s) can be determined on the basis of one or more operational parameter(s) detected by the beverage maker and / or or one or more sensor(s) of the beverage maker, wherein, in addition to the specific load parameter(s) (3) of the maintenance-relevant component, also an actual operational duration of the maintenance-relevant component, or an operational duration characteristic number (5) which characterizes this actual operational duration, is determined by means of the beverage maker, wherein, for the one or more maintenance-relevant component(s) (2a, 2b, ...), at least one reliability parameter (4) is calculated taking into account i) the specific load parameter(s) of the maintenance-relevant component(s) (2a, 2b, ...), and ii) also the determined actual operational duration, or the operational duration characteristic number (5), wherein the at least one reliability parameter (4) of the maintenance-relevant component (2a, 2b, ...) describes the state of the maintenance-relevant component (2a, 2b, ...) with respect to the state of use thereof, wherein the determination of the load parameter(s) (3) of one or more maintenance-relevant component(s) (2a, 2b, ...) is effected in a central control unit (7) of the beverage maker, and a) the calculation of the reliability parameter(s) (4) of one or more maintenance-relevant component(s) (2a, 2b, ...) is effected in the central control unit (7) of the beverage maker, wherein, for at least one of the maintenance-relevant components (2a, 2b, ...), based on the calculated reliability parameter(s) thereof, at least one maintenance instruction for the maintenance-relevant component (2a, 2b, ...) is generated by the central control unit (7) and is displayed on a display (6) of the beverage maker; or b) the beverage maker comprises an external computing device (8) which is connected to the central control unit (7) of the beverage maker via a bidirectional data line (8a), wherein a transmission of data about i) the specific load parameter(s) of the maintenance-relevant component (2a, 2b, ...), and ii) also the determined actual operational duration, or the operational duration characteristic number (5), which is necessary for the calculation of the reliability parameter(s) (4) of one or more maintenance-relevant component(s) (2a, 2b, ...), to the external computing device (8) is effected, and after said transmission, the calculation of the reliability parameter(s) (4) of one or more maintenance-relevant component(s) (2a, 2b, ...) is effected in this external computing device (8) before a transmission of at least one maintenance instruction for the maintenance-relevant component (2a, 2b, ...), which has been generated from the calculated reliability parameter(s), to the central control unit (7) is effected, wherein the at least one maintenance instruction is displayed by the beverage maker on a display (6) of the beverage maker.