Water Tank Overflow Collection with Float-Switch Aqua Stop Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water tank devices in fully automatic coffee machines rely on error-prone security software and sensors to detect leaks, which are not always reliable and require additional control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A water tank device utilizing a simple float switch to interrupt the water supply and control the aqua stop valve, eliminating the need for additional safety software and sensors like reed or capacitive sensors, with a design that includes an overflow leading into a collection tank and a water level sensor for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If security software and sensors (reed sensors or capacitive sensors) are used to detect leaks in vending machines, then leak detection capability is improved, but system complexity and error susceptibility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the leak detection function from complex software-based systems and implements it through a simple mechanical float switch in the collection tank. This removes the need for security software and electronic sensors, achieving reliable leak detection while significantly reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electronic sensors (reed sensors or capacitive sensors) and software-based detection with a mechanical float switch system. The float switch mechanically detects water level in the collection tank and directly controls the aqua stop valve, eliminating electronic complexity while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If float switch is used to control aqua stop valve, then system reliability is improved and software dependency is reduced, but device complexity changes
Solution Approach 1:
The float switch system is self-regulating and automatically controls the aqua stop valve based on water level in the collection tank. The system serves itself by using the weight of collected water to trigger the float switch, which then automatically closes the valve, eliminating the need for external software control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the water tank system into a main water tank and a separate collection tank with independent float switch control. This segmentation allows the safety mechanism to operate independently from the main water supply system, improving reliability while keeping each subsystem simple
3Object-affected harmful factors
If inlet is positioned above overflow with fall distance, then prevention of water suction back into mains connection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet is pre-positioned above the overflow level with a designed fall distance to create an air gap. This preliminary positioning prevents water from being suctioned back into the mains connection during vacuum conditions, addressing the harmful effect before it can occur
Solution Approach 2:
The air gap created by positioning the inlet above the overflow acts as an intermediary barrier between the collection tank and the mains water connection. This intermediate space prevents direct water contact and suction back while maintaining system functionality
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 solution provides a reliable and robust safety mechanism against water overflow, preventing leaks and errors associated with previous sensor technologies, ensuring independent operation without additional software and simplifying the system's construction and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a float switch is now arranged in the collecting tank, which is designed in such a way that it opens at a predefined water level in the collecting tank
Implementation Method 2
The water tank has an overflow that leads into the collection tank
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a water tank device (1) for a beverage vending machine (2), in particular for a fully automatic coffee machine (3). The essential feature of the invention is that the following components are provided: a collection tank (4) in which a water tank (5) is arranged, which can be connected to a fixed water supply (8) via an inlet (6) and an electrically actuated aquastop valve (7), and which has an overflow (9) leading from the water tank (5) into the collection tank (4), wherein the aquastop valve (7) is open when energized and closed when de-energized; a float switch (12) arranged in the collection tank (4), which is designed such that it opens at a predefined water level in the collection tank (4) and interrupts the power supply to the aquastop valve (7), thereby closing it. This allows a safety device to be created entirely without software.