Turkish Coffee Machine Level Sensing for Foam Overflow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic coffee machines struggle to maintain consistency and prevent overflowing when preparing Turkish coffee, as they require users to manually input the number of cups and adjust the boiling process based on the mixture's initial level and froth height, which can lead to inconsistent results.
Innovation Solution
The coffee machine uses a level sensor to measure the mixture height at intervals during boiling and compares it to prerecorded reference values to determine the actual number of cups prepared, adjusting the cooking program to ensure the correct quantity and prevent overflowing by terminating the boiling process before it reaches a critical froth height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the user manually inputs the number of cups and the machine pumps water according to this quantity, then the initial mixture level can be controlled, but the user must remember to input the correct quantity and the process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The level sensor automatically detects the initial mixture level in the boiling pot without requiring user input. The control unit independently determines the number of cups based on the detected level, eliminating the need for manual quantity selection and making the machine self-sufficient in determining cooking parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical button-pressing interface for quantity selection is replaced with an automatic optical or electromagnetic level sensing system. The level sensor continuously monitors the mixture level and provides data to the control unit, which automatically adjusts the boiling process based on detected levels.
2Quantity of substance
If the boiling process is extended to ensure complete cooking for multiple cups, then more coffee can be prepared, but the foam may overflow the pot
Solution Approach 1:
The boiling process parameters are dynamically adjusted based on real-time mixture level detection. The control unit modifies heating power and boiling duration according to the detected initial mixture level and current foam height, enabling flexible adaptation to different coffee quantities while preventing overflow through continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The level sensor provides continuous feedback on the mixture and foam height during the boiling process. The control unit uses this feedback to monitor foam rise and automatically terminate the boiling process when the foam approaches the overflow level, ensuring safe operation regardless of the initial coffee quantity.
3Device complexity
If the machine uses a fixed boiling time for all quantities, then the control process is simple, but the coffee quality becomes inconsistent for different numbers of cups
Solution Approach 1:
The boiling time and heating parameters are dynamically determined based on the detected initial mixture level. The control unit selects appropriate cooking parameters from predefined ranges or calculates optimal values based on the detected quantity, ensuring consistent coffee quality whether preparing one cup or multiple cups without requiring complex manual programming.
4Reliability
If the level sensor continuously monitors the mixture during boiling, then the foam height can be controlled to prevent overflow, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The level sensor performs periodic measurements of the mixture and foam height during the boiling process rather than continuous monitoring. The control unit terminates the boiling process at predetermined intervals based on these periodic measurements, achieving reliable overflow prevention while minimizing energy consumption by reducing the frequency of sensor activation and processing.
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 allows for the preparation of varying coffee quantities while maintaining traditional taste and consistency, as the machine automatically adjusts the boiling process based on real-time mixture height measurements, preventing overflow and ensuring each serving meets the expected quality.
Implementation Method 1
a level sensor (4) for example of the infrared or ultrasonic type that measures the height of the mixture in the boiling pot (2) during boiling
Implementation Method 2
a heater (3) for heating the boiling pot (2) for a determined period of boiling time
Implementation Method 3
implementing the boiling process of this liquid therein
Implementation Method 4
Turkish coffee has the characteristic of overflowing by quickly foaming during boiling
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a coffee machine (1) which is designed by inspiration from traditional preparation methods, that makes Turkish coffee in accordance with its traditional flavor and consistency in a short period of time and in desired amounts, which is suitable for use in households and particularly in crowded places such as hotels, restaurants or cafes, wherein one or more boiling pots (2) are heated by a heater (3), adjusting the adequate richness of the foam by the foam level sensor (4), thus preparing coffee for one or more cups maintaining the same quality and wherein overflowing is prevented.