Laser Fill Level Measurement for Coffee Machine Water Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot beverage preparation devices, such as fully automatic coffee machines, face errors in determining liquid levels and additional information due to the use of floats and software estimation, leading to late notifications of empty containers and increased susceptibility to incorrect information.
Innovation Solution
A hot beverage preparation device equipped with a laser filling level measuring device that emits and receives laser radiation to measure the fill level and determine additional information, such as the presence of a water filter or decalcifying agent, without the need for additional sensors, thereby reducing errors and providing precise, stepless liquid level determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a float is used to detect the filling level, then the filling level can be detected, but the system becomes error-prone due to float mutations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical float-based filling level detection system with an optical laser measurement system. The laser level gauge emits laser radiation that reflects off the liquid surface, providing contactless and mutation-free measurement. This eliminates the reliability issues associated with mechanical floats while maintaining accurate filling level detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces laser radiation as an intermediary medium between the measurement device and the liquid. Instead of direct mechanical contact with a float, the laser beam serves as a non-contact intermediary that reflects off the liquid surface, enabling accurate measurement without physical interaction that could cause errors.
2Device complexity
If software estimation is used to determine water amount, then no additional hardware is needed, but the estimation is error-prone and cannot detect partial filling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based estimation with an optical laser measurement system that directly measures the actual liquid level. This substitution provides precise, real-time detection of partial filling conditions without requiring complex estimation algorithms or additional sensors, achieving both accuracy and simplicity.
3Loss of information
If multiple separate measuring devices are used to determine fill level and additional information, then each parameter can be detected, but the device complexity and error susceptibility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the laser level gauge a multi-functional device that simultaneously determines filling level, detects liquid presence, and identifies additional information such as water quality parameters. By integrating multiple detection capabilities into a single optical system, the patent eliminates the need for separate sensors while maintaining complete information acquisition and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions into a single laser level gauge system. The device integrates fill level measurement, liquid detection, and additional parameter identification capabilities into one unified optical measurement system, reducing the number of components while enhancing information completeness.
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
The laser fill level measuring device reduces the risk of erroneous information by simultaneously measuring fill levels and additional information, eliminating the need for extra sensors and enhancing the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of the evaluation process.
Implementation Method 1
a laser fill level measuring device for measuring the fill level in the liquid container, wherein the laser fill level measuring device is suitable for emitting and receiving at least one laser radiation
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
AI summary
A hot beverage preparation device (1), in particular a fully automatic coffee machine, is specified, which has at least one liquid container (2) and a laser level gauge (3) for measuring the level (7a) in the liquid container (2). The laser fill level measuring device (3) is suitable for emitting and receiving at least one laser beam (4), the laser fill level measuring device (3) being suitable for determining at least one additional item of information in addition to measuring the fill level (7a).