Automatic beverage preparation device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drinks machines require complex and space-consuming arrangements of contact switches and fill level sensors to detect the presence and fill level of care product containers, complicating installation and maintenance processes.
Innovation Solution
The use of two reed switches arranged parallel on a circuit board, interacting with magnets on a removable container, allows for contactless detection of container presence and fill level, simplifying installation and reducing space requirements by enabling detection of both conditions through a single plug connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If contact switches and fill level sensors are arranged at different locations in the housing with complex wiring, then detection of container presence and fill level is achieved, but device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection functions (container presence detection and fill level detection) into a single sensor arrangement. The first sensor serves dual purposes: detecting both the presence of the container and the fill level of the care product, eliminating the need for separate sensors and complex wiring connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed with multi-functionality, where a single sensor arrangement performs multiple detection tasks. The sensor can detect both the presence/absence of the container and the fill level of the care product within the container, making one component serve universal detection purposes.
2Measurement precision
If multiple separate sensors are used for container presence and fill level detection, then detection functionality is complete, but installation ease is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple separate sensors into a single integrated sensor arrangement. This single sensor performs both container presence detection and fill level detection, significantly simplifying the installation process by reducing the number of components to be installed and wired.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor arrangement is designed to detect different parameters (container presence and fill level) through a single unified structure. The sensor system segments the detection space or signal processing to distinguish between different detection targets while maintaining a single physical component.
3Device complexity
If reed switches are arranged together on a circuit board, then installation simplicity and space efficiency improve, but detection precision for different conditions must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs magnets with different orientations (orthogonal pole pairs) to create distinct magnetic field patterns in different spatial dimensions. This allows the single sensor arrangement to distinguish between container presence and fill level conditions by detecting magnetic field variations along different axes, maintaining detection precision despite the compact sensor arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor arrangement detects different local magnetic field characteristics corresponding to different detection conditions. The first magnet's pole pair orientation creates a specific local magnetic field pattern for container presence detection, while the second magnet's orthogonal pole pair creates a different local pattern for fill level detection, allowing precise differentiation.
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
This solution enables efficient and automated detection of care product presence and fill levels, facilitating easy installation and reducing production costs while ensuring effective maintenance processes in drinks machines.
Implementation Method 1
a first magnet with a first pair of magnetic poles and a second magnet with a second pair of magnetic poles aligned orthogonally to the first pair of magnetic poles, with the first magnet interacting with the first reed switch on the circuit board
Implementation Method 2
a first magnet with a first pair of magnetic poles and a second magnet with a second pair of magnetic poles aligned orthogonally to the first pair of magnetic poles, with the first magnet interacting with the first reed switch on the circuit board and the second magnet interacting with the second reed switch on the circuit board
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a beverage dispenser (1) with a removable container (2) for holding, in particular, a liquid, and with a printed circuit board (3) arranged on the beverage dispenser (1), on which a first reed switch (4) and a second reed switch (5) arranged in parallel are arranged. A first magnet (6) with a first pair of magnetic poles and a second magnet (7) with a second pair of magnetic poles oriented orthogonally thereto are arranged on the container (2), wherein the first magnet (6) interacts with the first reed switch (4) and the second magnet (7) interacts with the second reed switch (5). This allows for space-saving and cost-effective detection of the presence of the container (2) and of the required quantity of care product for a care process.