Machine for making beverages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation machines, such as coffee machines, have inefficient and complex water level monitoring systems, often limited to only two defined states, which can lead to undefined fill levels and incorrect operation.
Innovation Solution
A beverage preparation machine with a movable float in the water tank and overlapping detection areas for sensors, allowing for precise monitoring of multiple fill levels without increasing the number of sensors, and optionally using reed switches, Hall sensors, or capacitive/optical sensors for improved fill level detection and user feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple reed switches are arranged one above the other to detect multiple water levels, then the number of detectable fill level states increases, but the device complexity and manufacturing effort increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the detection capabilities of multiple sensors by arranging them such that their detection areas overlap along the float's path. This allows a single sensor to contribute to multiple fill level states when combined with other sensors, reducing the total number of sensors needed while maintaining the ability to detect multiple distinct fill levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a vertical stacking arrangement of sensors to a distributed arrangement where sensors are positioned at different locations with overlapping detection zones. This spatial reconfiguration allows the system to detect multiple fill levels using fewer sensors by utilizing the overlap in detection areas rather than requiring strictly sequential vertical placement.
2Device complexity
If only two reed switches are used to detect two water levels, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect intermediate fill levels and prevent undefined states is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the detection outputs of multiple sensors with overlapping areas to define multiple fill level states. The control unit processes signals from these sensors to determine which fill level state is active, ensuring that every possible float position corresponds to a defined state and eliminating undefined conditions that would occur with only two discrete sensors.
3Ease of manufacture
If sensors are arranged with non-overlapping detection areas, then the sensor design is simplified, but gaps between detection areas create undefined states where no detection occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the sensor arrangement in advance with overlapping detection areas to ensure continuous coverage of the entire float path. This preliminary design consideration prevents gaps in detection coverage, ensuring that every possible water level corresponds to at least one sensor being active and thus maintaining continuous information about the fill level.
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 efficient and structurally simple fill level monitoring, preventing undefined states and providing accurate feedback to the user, allowing for precise control over drink preparation and water tank management.
Implementation Method 1
a float (13) which is movably guided along a path (22) in the water tank (7) and has a lower density than the water has, so that its position along the path depends on a level in the water tank
Implementation Method 2
a floating magnet in a water tank for a coffee machine, which is guided in a tube and which interacts with reed switches which are arranged at different heights and are closed when the magnet is on their height
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a beverage preparation machine having a water tank (7) and a pump for pumping water out of the water tank in order to provide a beverage as well as a detection unit (11) which contains a float (13) that is movably guided in the water tank along a path and has a lower density than the water such that the position of the float along the path depends on the fill state in the water tank. The beverage preparation machine additionally has a control unit which is designed to output a signal and/or release the pumping process depending on the position of the float. The invention is characterized in that at least two sensors (15.1, 15.2) are provided which detect the presence of the float in a respective detection region along the path, wherein the detection regions of at least two of the sensors (15.1, 15.2) overlap.