Turkish Coffee Machine with TOF Sensor for Overflow Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machines using infrared or conductivity sensors struggle to achieve consistent and precise Turkish coffee cooking, as they require calibration for different coffee types, are prone to dirt-related issues, and have limited operational ranges, leading to inconsistent taste and labor costs.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine equipped with a time of flight sensor that directly measures distances, minimizing calibration needs and providing a wider operational range, along with a shield glass protection and specific wavelength operation to maintain precision and cleanliness, preventing overflow and ensuring consistent cooking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If infrared sensors are used to detect coffee cooking status, then consistent taste and consistency can be achieved, but the sensor surface becomes dirty requiring manual cleaning and separate calibration for each sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a TOF sensor that is less sensitive to dirt accumulation compared to infrared sensors. While the shield glass may become dirty, the sensor can continue to function with reduced precision, and the system can detect and compensate for this through the shield glass position detection mechanism, eliminating the need for frequent manual cleaning and calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a shield glass as an intermediary element between the TOF sensor and the cooking chamber. The shield glass protects the sensor from direct exposure to coffee grounds and steam, reducing dirt accumulation. The system detects the shield glass position to compensate for any measurement deviations caused by the shield glass presence.
2Measurement precision
If infrared sensors are used, then cooking can be detected, but the operational range is narrow restricting the depth of cooking chambers and amount of coffee that can be cooked simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a TOF sensor that operates based on light travel time measurement rather than infrared reflection intensity. This fundamental parameter change in detection methodology allows for a significantly extended operational range, enabling the sensor to accurately measure distances in deeper cooking chambers and detect larger volumes of coffee simultaneously while maintaining measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If infrared sensors are used, then distance can be determined, but separate calibration is required for each sensor increasing labor costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal TOF sensor system with integrated shield glass position detection that functions consistently across different coffee types and cooking configurations. The system automatically adapts to various scenarios through the shield glass position feedback mechanism, eliminating the need for separate manual calibration of each sensor during production and enabling plug-and-play deployment.
4Measurement precision
If infrared sensors are used, then cooking can be detected, but different coffee colors produce different reflected light intensities leading to incorrect distance readings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the infrared reflection intensity-based measurement system with a TOF (Time of Flight) measurement system. Instead of measuring the intensity of reflected infrared light which varies with coffee color, the system measures the time it takes for light to travel to the coffee surface and back. This substitution of measurement mechanism makes the detection independent of coffee color, enabling accurate foam height measurement across different coffee types without requiring separate calibrations.
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 coffee machine achieves consistent taste and volume control for various coffee types, reducing labor costs and preventing overflow, while maintaining high precision and cleanliness.
Implementation Method 1
a time of flight sensor enabling measuring distances directly
Implementation Method 2
a shield glass protecting the time of flight sensor from dirt particles
Implementation Method 3
the time of flight sensor operates in wave length in the range of 900-1000 nm, particularly in the range of 930-950 nm, and more particularly of 940 nm
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a coffee machine (1 ) comprising a body (2), a cooking compartment (3) provided in the body (2), a cooking chamber (4) in which the cooking process is performed, placed in the cooking compartment (3), a heater (5) provided on the base of the cooking compartment (3), and a control unit (6) starting the cooking process by activating the heater (5), terminating the cooking process by turning the heater (5) off, and enabling controlling the cooking process.