Coffee Machine Pressure Setting via LED Keyboard Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional coffee machines face challenges in controlling operation parameters, particularly boiler pressure, due to the need for a display unit that is sensitive to temperature and humidity, requiring additional memory for language support, leading to higher design and manufacturing costs, as well as potential malfunction risks.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus using light-emitting elements and a microprocessor to regulate operation parameters, such as boiler pressure, by actuating LEDs to indicate parameter settings, eliminating the need for a display unit and reducing memory requirements, allowing operators to adjust settings through a keyboard without a display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a display unit is used to show operation parameters, then information visualization is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the display function from the traditional display unit and implements it through light-emitting elements integrated into the keyboard keys. Each key has light-emitting elements that can be selectively activated to display information, eliminating the need for a separate display unit and reducing device complexity while maintaining information visualization capability.
2Loss of information
If a display unit is used to show operation parameters, then information visualization is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the display function with the keyboard structure by integrating light-emitting elements into the keys. This combination eliminates the need for separate display unit and reduces the number of components, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to visualize operation parameters.
3Area of stationary object
If a display unit is placed near heat sources for compact design, then space utilization is improved, but reliability decreases due to temperature sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The light-emitting elements are integrated directly into the keyboard keys, allowing them to be positioned anywhere on the keyboard structure without requiring a separate display unit placement. This self-integrated approach eliminates the need to protect the display from heat and humidity, as the light-emitting elements are inherently resistant to these environmental factors.
4Adaptability or versatility
If additional memory is added for multi-language support, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the language display function from the traditional display unit and implements it through light-emitting elements that can be selectively activated. The microprocessor controls which light-emitting elements are illuminated to display different language messages, eliminating the need for additional memory while maintaining multi-language support capability.
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 simplifies the design and reduces costs by allowing parameter adjustments through a keyboard and LEDs, eliminating display-related issues and enhancing operational reliability while maintaining user-friendly functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light emitting elements actuatable according to predetermined configurations corresponding each to an operation parameter chosen among a plurality of operation parameters
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus for the regulation of operation parameters, in particular pressure, in a coffee machine. The apparatus comprises a keyboard, arranged for activating the machine and setting operation parameters, and a plurality of light or sound emitting elements arranged to be selectively activated for highlight through a plurality of configurations the operation parameters of the machine set through the keyboard. 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.