Coffee Maker Actuator Dual-Mode Operation for Acoustic Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fully automatic coffee machines lack effective acoustic and haptic feedback mechanisms, making it difficult for operators to confirm successful actuation of buttons or selectors, as existing solutions like LEDs, buzzers, and speakers can be delayed or annoying, and often require additional components.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing an existing actuator within the coffee machine, such as a grinder or pump, to operate in a special mode that generates noise emissions and vibrations for feedback, without the need for separate feedback generators, allowing for clear distinction between normal and special operating modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If additional feedback components (LEDs, buzzers, speakers) are added to provide acoustic and haptic feedback, then feedback effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is designed to perform dual functions: its primary function for beverage preparation and its secondary function for generating acoustic and haptic feedback. By making the actuator universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate feedback components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining feedback effectiveness. The control unit enables the actuator to switch between these functions based on operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator serves itself by generating feedback signals during its normal operation. Instead of requiring external feedback components, the actuator utilizes its own operational characteristics (vibrations, noise emissions) to provide feedback to the user. This self-service approach reduces the number of components needed while maintaining effective feedback communication.
2Loss of information
If separate feedback generators (buzzers, speakers) are used, then acoustic feedback is improved, but production costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is designed to perform dual functions: its primary function for beverage preparation and its secondary function for generating acoustic and haptic feedback. By making the actuator universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate feedback components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining feedback effectiveness. The control unit enables the actuator to switch between these functions based on operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator serves itself by generating feedback signals during its normal operation. Instead of requiring external feedback components, the actuator utilizes its own operational characteristics (vibrations, noise emissions) to provide feedback to the user. This self-service approach reduces the number of components needed while maintaining effective feedback communication.
3Loss of information
If the actuator is operated in special operating mode for feedback, then feedback clarity is improved, but energy consumption and mechanical stress increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator operates in periodic cycles, alternating between normal beverage preparation operation and special feedback-generating operation. The control unit activates the actuator in special operating mode only at specific moments when feedback is needed (e.g., upon button actuation), rather than continuously. This periodic activation pattern provides clear feedback to users while minimizing additional energy consumption and mechanical stress compared to continuous operation.
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
Provides improved acoustic and haptic feedback to operators without increasing production costs, reducing mechanical stress on components, and minimizing energy consumption, while ensuring the quality of the hot beverage preparation process.
Implementation Method 1
the actuator is operated in at least one special operating mode that generates noise emissions and/or vibrations
Implementation Method 2
the actuator is operated in at least one special operating mode that generates noise emissions and/or vibrations
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a hot beverage preparation device, in particular a fully automatic coffee maker (1), comprising at least one operating means (2) for operating the hot beverage preparation device, in particular for activating/deactivating the hot beverage preparation device and/or for selecting an operating program from a plurality of operating programs for preparing a hot beverage, comprising an actuator which generates sound emissions and/or vibrations and which can be operated in a normal operating mode (I) for preparing a hot beverage. According to the invention, the actuator can be operated at least in one special operating mode (II) generating sound emissions and/or vibrations when the operating means (2) is actuated.