Drinks machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fully automatic coffee machines rely on rough estimates or complex and expensive sensors to determine the remaining cleaning/descaling agent in storage containers, leading to inefficiencies and potential overuse or underuse of the agent.
Innovation Solution
A method using differential water measurement with a pump and flow meter to calculate the volume of cleaning/descaling agent by filling and draining water from the container, allowing for precise and cost-effective determination without the need for additional sensors, and optionally incorporating a heating device to accelerate chemical reactions and prevent clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are used to detect the exact fill level of cleaning/descaling agent, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex sensor-based detection systems with a simple differential water measurement method using a pump and flow meter. The control unit calculates the cleaning agent quantity by measuring the difference between water pumped in and water drained, substituting mechanical measurement with a computational approach that uses existing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces water as an intermediary substance to indirectly measure the cleaning agent quantity. Instead of directly sensing the cleaning agent level, the system uses water displacement measurement - the difference between pumped-in and drained water volumes reveals the cleaning agent volume, providing accurate measurement without direct contact sensors.
2Measurement precision
If complex sensors are used to determine cleaning/descaling agent level, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive sensor hardware with a computational measurement approach using existing pump and flow meter components. The control unit performs calculations based on water volume differences, eliminating the need for specialized sensors and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its existing water circulation components (pump and flow meter) to perform the measurement function, making the existing hardware serve dual purposes - both water circulation and cleaning agent level detection. This self-service approach eliminates additional sensor purchases and reduces overall system cost.
3Device complexity
If cleaning/descaling agent is stored in container without precise measurement, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of substance increases due to overuse or underuse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors the cleaning agent quantity through differential water measurement and can provide status information to the user. This feedback enables precise tracking of agent consumption, allowing users to refill at optimal times and avoid both overuse and underuse scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary measurement of the cleaning agent quantity before depletion occurs. By calculating the remaining amount based on water displacement, the system provides advance information about agent levels, enabling timely refilling and preventing operational disruptions or waste from improper usage.
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
Enables accurate, quick, and cost-effective estimation of the cleaning/descaling agent level, reducing the need for sensors and hardware, while ensuring reliable refilling and maintaining the agent's effectiveness by accelerating chemical reactions and preventing clogging.
Implementation Method 1
A pump and a flow meter are arranged in the area of the line, the pump being used to fill and empty the container with water
Implementation Method 2
the flow meter can be used to record the amount of water pumped into the container and the water drained from it
Implementation Method 3
a heating device is provided for heating the container, in particular for heating the cleaning/descaling agent present in the container. A chemical reaction of the tablets can be positively influenced by means of such a heating device, which can be arranged for example as surface heating, in particular in the form of a warming plate below the container or below the cleaning/descaling agent, since the reaction speed is significantly accelerated during the formation of the solution
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a beverage vending machine (1), in particular a fully automatic coffee machine (2), with a container (3) for storing a cleaning/descaling agent (4), which has a connection (5) to a line (9) in a lower area and an overflow (6) in an upper area, wherein water can be filled into the container (3) via the line (9) and the connection (5) and can be drained from the container (3) via the connection (5), wherein a pump (10) and a flow meter (11) are arranged in the area of the line (9), with a control device (12) which is designed such that it determines a quantity of the cleaning/descaling agent (4) present in the container (3) from the difference between the quantity of water pumped into the container (3) via the flow meter (11) and corresponding to the empty volume of the container and the quantity of water subsequently completely drained from the container (3) via the flow meter (11).This allows the amount of cleaning/descaling agent (4) present in the container (3) to be determined relatively easily, cost-effectively and reliably.