Coffee Machine Pressure Setting Without a Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional coffee machines require a display and additional memory for operation parameter control, leading to design and manufacturing challenges, such as high costs, malfunction risks, and complexity in positioning the display away from heat sources and humidity, as well as the need for multilingual support.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus using light emitting elements to regulate operation parameters, such as boiler pressure, through a keyboard and LEDs, allowing operators to set and display parameters without a traditional display, using a microprocessor to manage the pressure and eliminate the need for additional memory and display devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a display device is used to show operation parameters, then parameter information can be visualized to the operator, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses LED light emitting elements that can be seen in the dark to copy the function of a display device. The LEDs provide visual feedback about operation parameters (such as pressure levels) without requiring a complex electronic display, thereby achieving information visualization while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the essential visual feedback function from a complete display device. Instead of implementing a full display system with screen, backlight, and control circuitry, the patent uses simple LED indicators that provide sufficient information for operator awareness, thereby eliminating unnecessary complexity
2Volume of moving object
If a display device is installed near the boiler, then space is saved in the machine design, but the display is exposed to high temperatures and humidity causing malfunction risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs LED light emitting elements that are inherently resistant to high temperatures and humidity. LEDs are solid-state components with no fragile parts, making them suitable for placement near the boiler without risk of malfunction from thermal or humidity exposure, thus solving the reliability issue while maintaining space efficiency
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional memory is added to support multilingual display, then the device can display information in multiple languages, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential visual indication function from a multilingual display system. By using LED patterns and positions to convey parameter information universally, the patent eliminates the need for text-based multilingual support, thereby removing the requirement for additional memory while maintaining effective communication with operators
4Measurement precision
If a traditional display is used to show parameter values, then precise parameter information can be displayed, but the design and positioning become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the parameter information display into discrete LED indicators positioned at specific locations. Each LED represents a specific parameter state (such as pressure levels), providing precise information through spatial arrangement rather than continuous text display, thereby achieving measurement precision without requiring complex positioning of a traditional display device
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
Simplifies the design and operation of coffee machines by allowing parameter setting through a keyboard and LEDs, reducing manufacturing costs and eliminating display-related issues, while maintaining effective control over operation parameters like boiler pressure.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light emitting element actuatable according to predetermined configurations corresponding each to an operation parameter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus for the regulation of operation parameters, in particular pressure, in a coffee machine. The apparatus (10) comprises a keyboard (15), arranged for activating the machine and setting operation parameters, and a plurality of light or sound emitting elements (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e) arranged to be selectively activated for highlight through a plurality of configurations the operation parameters of the machine set through the keyboard (15). Thanks to the invention it is possible to avoid on the machine the presence of a display that makes more complex and less reliable the machine. The invention relates also to a machine that comprises the apparatus and to the operating method of the apparatus.