A method for solving the problem of smudging in the overflow detection in a commercial turkish coffee machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial Turkish coffee machines face detection errors due to smudging of conductivity sensor probes, leading to inaccurate overflow detection, maintenance issues, and potential machine breakdowns from coffee overflow.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine with a conductivity sensor system that continuously monitors and compares conductivity values between probes, alerting users when a predetermined threshold is exceeded, and prompting cleaning when conductivity values indicate probe smudging, ensuring accurate overflow detection and preventing machine failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conductivity sensor probes are used for overflow detection, then overflow detection capability is improved, but probe smudging occurs over time leading to measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration before actual overflow detection by measuring conductivity with clean probes and establishing a reference value. This preliminary action ensures that subsequent measurements are compared against a known good baseline, compensating for the inevitable smudging that occurs during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors conductivity measurements and compares them against the reference value. When deviations exceed a threshold, the system generates alerts indicating probe smudging. This feedback mechanism enables ongoing verification of measurement accuracy and triggers maintenance actions before detection reliability is compromised.
2Measurement precision
If probes are continuously monitored for smudging, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing conductivity sensor probes to monitor their own condition. By measuring conductivity between the same probes used for overflow detection, the system self-diagnoses probe smudging without requiring separate monitoring sensors or additional measurement paths, thereby maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductivity measurement serves dual purposes: it detects coffee overflow during operation and simultaneously monitors probe cleanliness by comparing against reference values. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate monitoring systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents coffee overflow detection failures and reduces maintenance needs by continuously monitoring and adjusting for probe smudging, ensuring reliable operation and extending the lifespan of the machine.
Implementation Method 1
overflow is detected by a different method, i.e. by measuring conductivity in commercial Turkish coffee machines
Implementation Method 2
a heater for heating the cooking container
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method suitable to be executed in a coffee machine comprising a conductivity sensor having two probes for detecting whether coffee has overflown, and a control unit adapted to process the data from the conductivity sensor, and comprising in its most basic form the steps of: querying whether user command is received to start the cooking process; starting to measure conductivity value between two probes by the conductivity sensor; saving the first measured conductivity value as the reference value (Sref); comparing each read conductivity value (Sread) with the reference value (Sref) and if said the difference between these two values is lower than a predetermined threshold value (Sthreshold). continuing the cooking process, otherwise, terminating the cooking process; measuring by the conductivity sensor the conductivity value between two probes again; and comparing said measurement value (Sread) read by the control unit with a predetermined limit value (Slimit); if said read measurement value (Sread) is higher than the limit value (Slimit), alerting by the control unit for cleaning of the probes via the visual and/or audible alert unit.