Clear Information about Coffee Beans, Fresh Water, Milk and Cleaning Liquid
Whether in a private household, in the cafeteria or in a restaurant: Coffee machines work nonstop and are expected to function reliably at all times. Users enjoy the increasing automation. The clear automatic detection of the respective containers and supplies of coffee beans, fresh water, milk and detergent liquid or filling level in the drip water tray are some features of convenient coffee machines.
Which level sensors can manufacturers of coffee machines utilize to meet the desire for more convenience and reliable measurement?
Solutions are offered by the development program of EBE sensors + motion. EBE sensors + motion develops the [sensor technology for level measurement] individually for each model. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Sensor Technology for Level Measurement and Level Switches
The capacitive [sensor technology capaTEC®] developed by EBE makes magnetic floaters in fresh water tanks superfluous . In this way, floaters cannot get stuck or calcify. As no floater shaft is required product designers have more design flexibility. At the same time the tank geometry can be simplified which reduces the costs for plastic injection molding tools and assembly time.
Among other things capaTEC® level switches can determine the minimum filling level in the fresh water tank. What is more, they are capable of overcoming obstacles like a bio-film coating. This means: safe, faultless function even in the case of containers contaminated with a coating.
With fresh water tanks it can also make sense to continuously measure the filling level. capaTEC® provides the technology.
Naturally, the capacitive level measurement can also monitor the coffee bean supply container. In many cases it can be an alternative to optical measurement. Whether capacitive level measurement is possible largely depends on the geometric circumstances. Ask EBE for the appropriate solution for your new coffee machine] .
By using capaTEC® the conventional resistive sensor technology can even be abandoned for the drip water tray.
Coffee fat, coffee residues and other waste products in the drip tray do not impair level sensors from EBE. capaTEC® detects the filling level without direct contact with the medium. The measurement is made through the wall of the drip tray and through the machine housing (the tank cavity). The functional safety continues to be guaranteed.
Three-Dimensional Measuring Principle Recognizes Tanks
EBE-solutions for level measurement can include presence detection of the empty tank. The new 3D measuring principle allows for safe recognition and signaling without additional elements.
Of course the system also works reliably with dry and empty tanks.
The presence detection is particularly important if hot water is pumped back into the tank in special applications. This is often the case in fully automatic coffee machines for professional use.
Here it should be ensured that the tank is actually pushed in. The sensor solution from EBE signals clearly whether the tank is present and properly pushed in.
Measurement of Highly Adhesive Media
Highly adhesive media are a challenge for the level sensor technology. EBE sensors + motion provides a solution for this task as well. Product development is based on the [corTEC® technology] for level measurement.
corTEC® sensors measure liquids stick tightly to the walls of the supply tanks and form a film, , e.g. milk and cleaning fluids. These films inside the tank can be “masked out”. There are no incorrect measurements.
Level Measurement in Metal Tanks
Electrically conductive resp. metallic tanks are an additional challenge for level sensor technology. Such tanks are often used in professional coffee machines.
Both technologies for level measurement developed by EBE can be applied here. As an example they can be used with rod sensors for measurement inside the medium.
