Drinks machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drinks machines, such as fully automatic coffee machines, face challenges in reliably detecting the absence of a water tank, leading to potential water damage due to unreliable detection by capacitive switches and software errors.
Innovation Solution
A purely mechanical safety device is implemented, using a float in an overflow pan to actuate a mechanical switch and close the water inlet valve, ensuring reliable shutdown of the water supply regardless of software or electronic component functionality, with a spring-loaded pivotable line section or pivoting water inlet to connect the overflow pan to the water inlet when the tank is removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If capacitive switches or mechanical switches are used to detect water tank presence, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of water tank detection deteriorates due to software errors and unreliable detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic detection systems (capacitive switches, mechanical switches, software) with a purely mechanical overflow-based detection system. The mechanical switch is positioned to detect the presence of the water tank through direct mechanical contact or proximity, eliminating software dependencies and electronic failure modes. This substitution maintains simplicity while significantly improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements an overflow pan and float mechanism that provides a safety buffer before water damage can occur. The overflow pan captures excess water, and the float mechanism preemptively activates the mechanical switch to close the valve before water can escape the machine, cushioning against potential failures in the primary water level sensing system.
2Reliability
If a mechanical safety device with overflow pan and float is implemented, then the reliability of water inlet valve closure is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The overflow pan and float mechanism is designed to automatically activate the mechanical switch without external control or power supply. When water reaches a certain level in the overflow pan, the float rises mechanically triggering the switch to close the valve. This self-activating system improves reliability through passive mechanical operation while keeping complexity manageable through straightforward mechanical design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple safety functions into a single integrated mechanical system. The overflow pan serves both as a water containment structure and as the medium for the float mechanism. The float, switch, and valve form an integrated safety circuit that operates autonomously. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining high reliability.
3Measurement precision
If the float actuates the mechanical switch at predefined water level, then the water level control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the float and mechanical switch at a specific critical location - the overflow point of the water tank. This localized detection at the precise moment when water reaches maximum safe level provides accurate water level control without requiring complex sensing throughout the entire water tank volume. The mechanical switch is positioned to detect the float's position at this critical threshold.
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 guarantees protection against water damage by ensuring the water inlet valve is closed both when the water tank is inserted and removed, providing a completely mechanical and software-independent safety mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a float (7), which actuates a mechanical switch (8) at a predefined water level in the overflow pan
Implementation Method 2
the safety device (9) has a spring-loaded, pivotable line section (10) which, when the water tank (2) is removed, pivots under the water inlet (4) due to the spring
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a drinks machine (1) with a water tank (2) and a water inlet (4) which can be controlled via a valve (3) and via which the water tank (2) can be filled with water from a mains (5). It is essential to the invention that an overflow trough (6) connected to the water tank (2) is provided, in which a float (7) is arranged, which actuates a mechanical switch (8) at a predefined water level in the overflow trough (6) and that The valve (3) closes, a safety device (9) being provided which is designed in such a way that when the water tank (2) is removed it fluidly connects the overflow pan (6) to the water inlet (4). This makes it possible to create a purely mechanical safety concept against water damage.