Coffee machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machines lack an efficient and cost-effective method for determining when the waste bin and drip tray are full, leading to potential messes and inconvenient cleaning times for users.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine with a sensor system that detects manual removal of the waste bin and drip tray, and a controller that displays the number of brews or fraction of brews since the last removal, allowing users to estimate when these components need to be emptied.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the waste bin and drip tray are emptied periodically based on estimated capacity, then the device complexity is reduced by avoiding additional sensors, but the measurement precision of the fill level is insufficient leading to potential overfilling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary weighing mechanism that indirectly measures the fill level of the waste bin and drip tray. Instead of directly sensing the fill level, the system weighs the waste bin assembly and calculates the waste volume based on the weight difference between full and empty states. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by providing accurate measurement without requiring complex direct level sensors for solid waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical level sensing mechanisms (such as float devices) with an electronic weighing system. The load cell or force sensor-based weighing mechanism provides more precise and reliable measurement of waste bin fill level compared to traditional mechanical float indicators, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
2Measurement precision
If a mechanical float device or level sensor is used to detect when the drip tray is full, then the measurement precision of the liquid level is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the detection of waste bin fill level and drip tray liquid level into a single integrated weighing system. The same load cell or force sensor that measures waste bin weight is also used to detect drip tray fill level by weighing the entire assembly. This merging approach reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate level sensors while maintaining measurement precision through the high accuracy of electronic weighing.
Solution Approach 2:
The weighing mechanism serves multiple functions: it detects both the waste bin fill level (by weighing the waste bin assembly) and the drip tray liquid level (by weighing the entire machine or drip tray assembly). This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by providing accurate level detection for both components using a single sensor system, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
3Productivity
If the waste bin size is increased to hold more brews, then the productivity of the coffee machine is improved by reducing emptying frequency, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic waste bin capacity management system that provides real-time feedback to users about the remaining capacity through the user interface. The controller calculates and displays the number of remaining brews based on the current weight measurement. This dynamic information allows users to plan waste bin emptying proactively, effectively increasing the usable capacity without physically enlarging the bin, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback to users about the waste bin fill level through the user interface, displaying the number of brews performed and remaining capacity. This feedback mechanism allows users to monitor and manage waste bin usage efficiently, maximizing the utilization of the existing bin capacity without requiring a larger physical bin, thus maintaining compact design while improving productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A coffee machine is for brewing coffee in a brewing chamber and has a waste bin for collecting coffee grinds after brewing and a drip tray for collecting waste water. A sensor system is provided for detecting manual removal of the waste bin and/or the drip tray and a count is made of the number of brews since the last removal of the waste bin and/or drip tray. Information is then displayed showing the number of brews, or the fraction of brews compared to a nominal maximum number of brews, since the last removal.