Beverage machine with water amount detecting means
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing water amount detecting means in beverage machines, such as coffee and juice machines, face complex processing procedures and high manufacturing costs due to intricate design and assembly requirements, making them difficult to repair and replace.
Innovation Solution
A water amount detecting system featuring a float with a cavity structure formed by two closedly connected magnetic parts, eliminating the need for injecting a magnetic object and simplifying the manufacturing process through direct injection molding, coupled with a magnetic sensor for position detection and an alarm prompt system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a float with injected magnetic iron is used for water level detection, then the detection function is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the magnetic object from the float structure and integrates it into the water tank body. The float becomes a simple hollow structure without embedded magnetic iron, while the water tank body contains the magnetic object that interacts with the sensor. This separation simplifies float manufacturing and allows independent optimization of each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the magnetic object with the water tank body structure. The magnetic object is integrated into the tank body rather than being a separate component, reducing the total number of parts and simplifying assembly. The tank body simultaneously serves as both the water container and the housing for the magnetic detection element.
2Measurement precision
If multiple processing steps are used to create float with magnetic iron, then the detection precision is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the magnetic object from the float and relocates it to the water tank body. This eliminates the complex injection and sealing processes required to embed magnetic iron in the float, while maintaining detection precision through the magnetic interaction between the tank-mounted magnetic object and the sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple hollow float structure without expensive embedded magnetic components. The float can be manufactured using basic molding techniques, reducing material and processing costs. The magnetic detection function is maintained through the separate magnetic object in the tank body rather than requiring expensive float construction.
3Reliability
If complex assembly steps are used for float manufacturing, then the detection reliability is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection system into independent components: a simple float and a magnetic object integrated with the tank body. This segmentation allows the float to be easily removed and replaced without affecting the magnetic detection components, significantly improving repairability while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
By extracting the magnetic object from the float and placing it in the tank body, the patent creates a modular system where the float is a standalone replaceable component. This eliminates the need to disassemble or repair complex internal float structures, allowing users to simply remove and replace the entire float assembly if needed.
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 reduces manufacturing costs, simplifies the production process, and facilitates easy repair and replacement of components, addressing the complexity and cost issues of prior systems.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor disposed in the body, wherein the sensor detects and determines a position of the float, and transmits a signal to the control means
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention discloses a beverage machine. The beverage machine (1) includes a body (2), a water tank (3), a control means (4) for controlling operating of the beverage machine, and a water amount detecting means (5). The water amount detecting means (5) includes: a float (7) that is disposed in the water tank (3) and has a cavity structure (6); and a sensor (8) disposed in the body (2), where the sensor (8) detects and determines a position of the float (7), and transmits a signal to the control means (4). The float (7) includes a first part (71) and a second part (72), the cavity structure (6) being constructed by closedly connecting the first part or the second part.