Dual purpose temperature and conductive probe for beverage machine
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage machines face issues with temperature sensors providing erroneous information when the liquid supply line is emptied, leading to incorrect temperature readings due to detection of air instead of liquid.
Innovation Solution
A sensor is designed to detect both temperature and the presence/absence of liquid, allowing it to provide accurate temperature information even when the supply line may be empty, by incorporating a conductive probe to detect liquid presence and a temperature component insulated from the liquid to measure temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the temperature sensor is positioned upstream of the heater to detect incoming water temperature, then the controller can control the heater output and pump flow rate more effectively, but the sensor may provide erroneous temperature information when the supply line is emptied of water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a temperature sensor and a liquid presence sensor into a single integrated sensor assembly positioned upstream of the heater. The temperature sensor detects water temperature while the liquid presence sensor simultaneously detects whether water is present in the supply line. This merged design allows the controller to receive both temperature and presence signals from the same location, enabling effective heater control while preventing erroneous temperature readings when the line is empty.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by using the liquid presence sensor signal to validate the temperature sensor signal. When the presence sensor detects no liquid, it sends a signal to the controller indicating that the temperature reading should be ignored. This feedback mechanism ensures that the controller only acts on temperature information when liquid is actually present, preventing erroneous control actions based on air temperature readings.
2Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is positioned in contact with liquid in the heater tank to ensure accurate liquid temperature detection, then the temperature signal reliably represents liquid temperature, but the sensor cannot detect temperature at locations where liquid may be absent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal sensor assembly that can reliably detect temperature at positions where liquid may or may not be present. By integrating both temperature sensing and liquid presence detection capabilities into a single device, the system gains versatility in sensor positioning while maintaining measurement reliability. The sensor assembly can be placed upstream of the heater where liquid presence is not guaranteed, and the dual-function design ensures accurate temperature measurement only when liquid is present.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid presence sensor acts as an intermediary that validates the temperature measurement. Before the temperature reading is used for control purposes, the presence sensor confirms that liquid is actually present at the sensor location. This intermediary check ensures that temperature measurements are only taken when liquid is present, maintaining measurement precision while allowing flexible sensor positioning.
3Reliability
If a single sensor is used to detect both temperature and liquid presence, then the system can provide accurate temperature information even when the supply line is empty, but the sensor design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the temperature sensor and liquid presence sensor into a single integrated assembly, which reduces overall system complexity compared to using separate sensors at different locations. The combined design allows both functions to be performed from a single sensor position upstream of the heater, simplifying the control logic while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly is designed as a multi-functional unit that performs both temperature detection and liquid presence detection. This universal design consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate sensors and control logic elements, achieving improved reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
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
Enables the beverage machine controller to accurately control heating and pumping operations based on liquid presence and temperature, preventing errors caused by empty supply lines and ensuring reliable beverage formation.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor arranged to detect two different physical characteristics of the liquid
Implementation Method 2
a temperature component insulated from the liquid to measure temperature
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for employing a sensor to detect two physical characteristics of a liquid in a beverage machine. A sensor may have a conductive probe portion to contact liquid, e.g., to detect a liquid level in a removable water tank, and a thermistor portion to detect a temperature of the liquid.