Beverage apparatus with filling level measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation devices, such as fully automatic coffee machines, face challenges in efficiently detecting the presence and fill level of multiple containers without requiring separate detection devices, leading to increased complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A laser scanner unit is utilized to generate a fan beam that covers the full width of the cup storage area, with its remaining angular range used to detect additional containers and their fill levels, employing optical deflection means to direct the detection beam beyond the fan beam for comprehensive monitoring, including the use of floats for liquid detection and additional fan beams for solids containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate detection devices are used for each container (water tank, milk container, grounds container), then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The laser scanner unit is designed to perform multiple detection functions across different container types (beverage containers, water tank, milk container, grounds container) using a single device. The system generates beam fans in different angular ranges, with each angular range dedicated to detecting specific containers, thereby eliminating the need for separate detection devices while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The detection space is segmented into different angular ranges, with each range assigned to detect specific containers. The laser scanner unit generates beam fans in distinct angular sectors, allowing simultaneous monitoring of multiple containers without interference. This spatial segmentation enables one device to effectively perform the work of multiple separate detectors
2Adaptability or versatility
If the beam fan angular range is widened to cover all containers, then detection coverage is improved, but measurement precision for the primary cup platform may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The beam fan's angular range is segmented into distinct detection zones, with each zone optimized for specific container types. The evaluation unit processes data from different angular ranges separately, applying appropriate evaluation criteria for each container type. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high measurement precision for the cup platform while simultaneously achieving broad detection coverage for other containers
Solution Approach 2:
Different angular ranges of the beam fan are assigned different detection qualities and evaluation methods based on the specific requirements of each container type. The cup platform detection uses one evaluation criterion while other containers use different criteria, allowing each detection task to receive optimized attention despite the unified scanner design
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 approach allows for efficient detection of container presence and fill levels without the need for separate detection devices, simplifying the device structure, reducing costs, and enabling precise monitoring of various container types, including those that can be removed or filled by users.
Implementation Method 1
a laser scanner unit for detecting the presence and/or fill level of a container on the cup platform
Implementation Method 2
a transmitter that projects a straight line into the xy-plane of the mounting surface in a projection direction, with a receiver that is directed at the mounting surface at an angle to the projection direction and that detects reproduction segments of the same projected straight line
Implementation Method 3
the beverage device includes a float in a liquid container, which can be detected by the detection beam of the laser scanner unit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A beverage preparation device for household purposes, in particular a fully automatic coffee machine (1), with a cup support surface (2), with a laser scanner unit (3) for detecting the presence and/or the filling level of a container (4) on the cup support surface (2), is further developed by means for Detection of the filling level and/or the presence of several stationary containers (5 ... 9) of the preparation device (1) that can be operated by the user using the same laser scanner unit (3).