Beverage Maker Power Management for Adaptive Auto Shut-Off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation devices with electric heaters consume significant energy when left on after use, leading to inefficiency and environmental waste, as existing automatic shut-off systems rely on timers that do not adapt to user behavior or predict when the device will be inactive for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
A user-programmable power management system that allows automatic shut-down of beverage preparation devices after the last beverage batch is prepared, with customizable conditions such as number of batches, maintenance needs, or ingredient shortages, and optional timer-based modes for added flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If automatic timer-based shut-off systems are used, then energy saving is improved, but the device remains on longer than necessary due to inability to detect actual user needs
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from button press detections and beverage preparation cycle completions to dynamically determine when to shut off the device. Each button press or cycle completion resets the counter, allowing the system to adapt to actual user behavior patterns rather than relying on fixed timers.
Solution Approach 2:
The device automatically monitors its own usage through embedded sensors that detect button presses and cycle completions, eliminating the need for user intervention to set timers or notify the system of usage patterns. The system self-adjusts based on detected usage.
2Ease of operation
If the device is left switched on to avoid lengthy start-up periods, then convenience is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The shut-off timing is dynamic rather than fixed, adjusting based on detected usage patterns. The system learns when the device is actually needed versus when it is left on unnecessarily, optimizing the balance between convenience and energy savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of device power state from a static predetermined timer-based state to a dynamic state that responds to real-time usage detection, allowing optimization of both convenience and energy consumption.
3Loss of energy
If fixed timer shut-off is used, then device complexity is reduced, but energy saving effectiveness is compromised due to inability to detect last beverage preparation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical timer mechanisms with electronic detection systems that monitor button presses and beverage preparation cycles. This substitution uses software-based counting and detection logic rather than mechanical timing devices, achieving better energy savings with comparable or reduced complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically powered device for preparing beverages, in particular hot beverages, that includes means for conditioning a liquid to prepare one or more batches of beverage after such a beverage preparation device has been switched on; and a power management arrangement for shutting down the beverage preparation device automatically.