DE102019216516A1 - Device for determining the fill level of a container - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (1) for determining a fill level (2) of a container (3) with ground material (4), the device (1) having the container (3) and a grinder (6) in which ground material ( 4) is ground from the container (3) in successive grinding processes. A simplified and precise determination of the level (2) of the container (3) with grist (4) is achieved by storing acoustic reference frequency responses (11) for known levels (2) of the container (3) with grist (4) which are compared with received frequency responses (14) during operation and, if the received frequency response (14) matches one of the reference frequency responses (11), the fill level (2) associated with the reference frequency response (14) as the fill level (2) of the container ( 1). The invention also relates to a corresponding method and a coffee machine (17) with such a device (1).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for determining the filling level of a container with ground material, which device has the container and a grinder for grinding the ground material in successive grinding processes. The invention further relates to a coffee machine with such a device and to a method for determining a fill level of a container with grist.

Grist is usually stored or stored in a container in order to then grind it with the aid of a grinder and use it further. The grist is, for example, coffee that is stored in a container and ground to prepare a coffee drink. In an associated device which comprises the container and the grinder, the grinder grinds the material to be ground in successive grinding processes. When operating the device, it is desirable and / or advantageous to know the filling level of the container with the grinder in order, for example, to refill grist in the container.

In principle, electrical measurements on the grinder and light barriers are known for determining the filling level of the container with ground material.

The determination of the filling level of the container with ground material by an electrical measurement on the grinder is, for example, from the WO 2014/045230 A1 known. With the electrical measurements on the grinder, which are usually carried out as current measurements on the grinder, several individual grinding processes are necessary to determine the fill level, whereby as a rule only an empty state of the container can be determined. It is therefore not possible or at least imprecise to determine other filling levels of the container with ground material.

The use of a light barrier to determine the level of the container with grist is cumbersome and costly. In addition, only one associated fill level of the container can be determined for each light barrier. This leads to the fact that the determination of several filling levels of the container with regrind increases the implementation effort and the production costs of the device.

The present invention is therefore concerned with the object of specifying improved or at least different embodiments for a device for determining the level of a container with ground material, for a coffee machine with such a device and for a method for determining the level of a container with ground material characterized in particular by a simple and inexpensive implementation and / or by a more precise determination of the filling level of the container with grist.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the subjects of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The present invention is based on the general idea of using an acoustic frequency response characteristic of the filling level of the container with ground material during the respective grinding process to determine the level of a container with a grist that is ground from the container with a grinder by successive grinders. By assigning the frequency response to a level, it is thus possible in a simple and inexpensive way to store associated frequency responses, also referred to below as reference frequency responses, for different levels of the container and to receive frequency responses during the operation of the device during the grinding processes, in particular to measure, and to determine the associated level by assigning the received frequency responses to the reference frequency responses. In addition to the simple and inexpensive implementation, this thus allows a simple, inexpensive and precise determination of at least one fill level of the container with ground material.

In accordance with the concept of the invention, a device for determining the filling level of the container with ground material has the grinder next to the container. The grinder grinds grist from the container in successive grinds for subsequent uses. The device also has a memory in which an associated and predetermined acoustic reference frequency response is stored for at least one fill level, preferably for at least two fill levels, of the container with ground material during a grinding process. This means that if there is at least one known fill level during a grinding process, an associated reference frequency response is predetermined and stored in the memory. The device also has at least one acoustic receiver for receiving the frequency response during the respective grinding process when the device is in operation. The associated frequency response is thus received with the at least one receiver during operation of the device during grinding processes. The device further comprises a control device which compares the received frequency response with the at least one reference frequency response and, if the received frequency response matches one of the at least one reference frequency responses, the fill level associated with this reference frequency response as the fill level of the container Regrind determined. The control device is designed accordingly for this purpose. For this purpose, the control device is expediently connected to the at least one acoustic receiver and the memory in a communicating manner.

At least one of the at least one acoustic receivers advantageously has a microphone. The frequency response is thus received during operation in a simple, inexpensive and precise manner.

In the present case, “acoustic” is generally understood to mean frequency responses transmitted by vibration. The respective frequency response accordingly includes sound transmitted via air and / or structure-borne noise. In particular, structure-borne noise transmitted via the container and / or the ground stock can form the respective frequency response and / or be part of the respective frequency response.

The reference frequency responses are expediently determined in advance before the device is put into operation, in particular before the device is delivered, for example by the manufacturer. It is also conceivable to determine and store the reference frequency responses when the device is first started up by a user in a learning mode.

It is preferred if an associated reference frequency response is stored in the memory for at least two, in particular for at least three, for example five, different filling levels of the container with regrind. It is thus possible, in particular, to determine at least two different filling levels of the container with ground material when the device is in operation.

Embodiments are considered advantageous in which at least one of the at least one acoustic receiver, preferably the respective acoustic receiver, is arranged in such a way that it receives the frequency response in an internal volume of the container for storing the ground material. The same applies to the pre-determination of the reference frequency responses. In this way, acoustic signals outside the container are excluded or at least reduced, so that interference noises originating from outside the device do not influence the received frequency responses or at least have a reduced influence. This leads to an improved, more precise and more robust determination of the filling levels of the container with regrind.

In principle, the container can have any shape and / or size. By pre-determining the reference frequency responses, the solution according to the invention is suitable for different shapes and / or sizes and / or properties of the container.

The container advantageously has a container pot and a container lid which detachably closes the container pot. The container pot and the container lid jointly limit the internal volume of the container in which the ground material is stored. When the container lid is in the closed state of the container pot, acoustic influences originating from outside the device, in particular interfering noises, are reduced so that the reception of the frequency response is reduced during operation of the device and thus during the grinding processes. The respective fill level can thus be determined in a simplified and more precise manner.

Embodiments are considered advantageous in which the device has at least two acoustic receivers which are arranged at a distance from one another. In this way, the determination of the frequency response is improved and / or the respective frequency response can be determined more robustly and more precisely. This leads to a more precise and simplified reception of the frequency response during the respective grinding process.

It is preferred here if at least two of the at least two acoustic receivers are arranged opposite one another.

Advantageous embodiments provide a signal device which is designed to output a signal associated with the filling level of the container with ground material. This means that the signaling device signals the determined level to a user. Thus, the device becomes more user-friendly. In particular, the user can thus recognize and / or plan an upcoming or imminent refilling of the container with regrind in good time.

The signaling device is expediently connected to the control device in a communicating manner, the control device correspondingly activating the signaling device for outputting the respective signal and being configured accordingly.

In principle, the signaling device can be designed as desired.

The signaling device is in particular one that generates and outputs an acoustic signal. A signaling device that generates and outputs a haptic signal is also conceivable.

Embodiments are advantageous in which the signaling device has an optical display which indicates the determined fill level outputs associated optical signal. In particular, it is conceivable to signal the level determined in each case by means of a bar display.

In principle, the device can be used in any application.

The device is advantageously part of a coffee machine. Coffee is preferably stored in the container as the grist. During operation of the coffee machine and thus of the device, coffee is ground from the container in successive grinding processes and made available for preparing a coffee beverage. To prepare the coffee drink, the coffee machine advantageously has a brewing unit.

It goes without saying that in addition to the device and the coffee machine, the method for determining the filling level of the container with grist as such also belongs to the scope of this invention.

An associated acoustic reference frequency response is predetermined and stored for at least one known fill level. In operation, frequency responses are received during grinding processes and compared with the at least one reference frequency response. If the received frequency response matches one of the at least one reference frequency response, the fill level associated with the reference frequency response is determined as the fill level of the container.

Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures on the basis of the drawings.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, with the same reference symbols referring to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

• 1 eine stark vereinfachte, schaltplanartige Darstellung einer Vorrichtung,
• 2 einen Schnitt durch die Vorrichtung bei einem anderen Ausführungsbeispiel,
• 3 eine Draufsicht auf eine Signaleinrichtung der Vorrichtung.

It show each schematically

• 1 a greatly simplified, circuit diagram-like representation of a device,
• 2 a section through the device in another embodiment,
• 3 a plan view of a signaling device of the device.

One device 1 to determine a fill level 2 a container 3 with grist 4th , especially with coffee 5 such as in the 1 to 3 shown next to the container 3 a grinder 6th on. The grist 4th is only in 1 and represented there symbolically as hatching. With the grinder 6th becomes the grist 4th ground in successive grinding operations. The level is reduced after each grinding process 2 in the container 3 , where in 1 with dashed lines different fill levels 2 are indicated. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the container 3 a container pot 7th as well as a container pot 7th releasably closing container lid 8th on which together make up an interior volume 9 limit in which the grist 4th is in stock. The container 3 is so with the grinder 6th connected that that in the container 3 Stocked regrind 4th to the grinder 6th arrive and there can be ground in successive grinding processes, whereby the level 2 of the container 3 reduced after each grinding process. The device 1 also has a memory 10 on, in which for at least one known level 2 an associated acoustic frequency response 11 is stored during a grinding process with the grinder 6th at the associated level 2 arises. It is preferred for at least two different known fill levels 2 each has an associated frequency response 11 In the storage room 10 deposited.

In 1 are purely by way of example five different known fill levels 2 intended. This is in memory 10 for the respective known level 2 an associated frequency response 11 'predetermined and stored. For each of the known fill levels 2 ', 2'',2''', 2 '''', 2 '''''there is therefore a separate, associated acoustic frequency response 11', 11 '', 11 ''', 11 '''', 11 '''''predetermined and in memory 10 deposited. These predetermined frequency responses 11 are also used as reference frequency responses below 11 designated. In operation of the device 1 will have at least one acoustic receiver 12th , especially a microphone 13th , an acoustic frequency response 14th received during the respective milling process, wherein the received acoustic frequency response 14th only in 2 is indicated. The device 1 also has a control device 15th on that with the recipient 12th and the memory 10 is connected and configured in such a way that, during operation, it matches the frequency response received during the respective grinding process 14th with the reference frequency responses 11 compares. If a received frequency response matches 14th with a reference frequency response 11 becomes the reference frequency response 11 associated level 2 as the filling level of the container 3 determined.

The device 1 can use a signaling device 16 have with which the control device 15th connected is. The control device 15th is designed in such a way that it matches the determined level 2 of the container 3 via the signaling device 16 signaled to a user not shown.

In the examples shown, the at least one is a recipient 12th arranged so that it has the frequency response 14th in the interior volume 9 of the container 3 receives and the control device 15th transmits.

At the in 2 Embodiment shown, which is a section through the device 1 shows the container 3 purely by way of example a funnel-shaped container pot 7th on. In addition, the device 1 two acoustic receivers 12th , especially microphones 13th , which are spaced from one another and arranged opposite one another. The acoustic receivers 12th can in this case in the area of the container lid 8th be arranged in 2 is not shown for clarity of illustration. In 2 is also for a better representation of the frequency response 14th the grist 4th not shown. In 2 the control device 15th , the memory 10 as well as the signaling device 16 not shown.

In the examples shown, the device is 1 Part of a coffee machine 17th , especially a fully automatic coffee machine 18th . That through the grinder 6th Ground regrind is fed through a powder chute 19th a brewing unit 20th the coffee machine 17th fed, which only in 2 and is represented there purely symbolically. In the brewing unit 20th is with the ground grist 4th a coffee drink is prepared and then served.

In 3 is an example of the signaling device 16 shown. In the example shown, the signaling device 16 an optical display 21 on, which is designed in such a way that it has multiple bars 22nd can display. How 3 can be seen, the display can 21 at the highest known level 2 , 2 'completely filled and with decreasing fill level 2 be less filled. In particular, the respective fill level 2 a filling of the bar 22nd assigned and when determining the fill level 2 are displayed.

List of reference symbols

1

contraption

2

Level

3

container

4th

Regrind

5

coffee

6th

Grinder

7th

Container pot

8th

Container lid

9

Internal volume

10

Storage

11

Reference frequency response

12th

Acoustic receiver

13th

microphone

14th

Received frequency response

15th

Control device

16

Signaling device

17th

coffee machine

18th

Fully automatic coffee machines

19th

Powder chute

20th

Brewing unit

21

display

22nd

bar

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• WO 2014/045230 A1 [0004]

Claims (10)

Device (1) for determining a fill level (2) of a container (3) with ground material (4), with the container (3) and with a grinder (6) for grinding ground material (4) from the container (3) in successive steps Grinding processes, characterized in that the device has a memory (10) in which an associated and predetermined acoustic reference frequency response (11) is stored during a grinding process for at least one filling level (2) of the container (3) with grist (4) is; that the device (1) has at least one acoustic receiver (12) for receiving the frequency response (14) during the respective grinding process; that the device has a control device (15) which is designed in such a way that by comparing the received frequency response (14) with the at least one reference frequency response (11) and assigning the associated level (2) the level (2) of the Determined container (3) with grist (4). Device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that an associated reference frequency response (11) is stored in the memory (10) for at least three, in particular for five, filling levels (2) of the container (3) with grist (4). Device according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that at least one of the at least one acoustic receiver (12) is arranged such that it receives the frequency response (14) in an inner volume (9) of the container (3) for storing the ground material (4). Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the container (3) has a container pot (7) and a container lid (8) which detachably closes the container pot (7). Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , characterized in that the device (1) has at least two mutually spaced acoustic receivers (12). Device according to Claim 5 , characterized in that at least two of the at least two acoustic receivers (12) are arranged opposite one another. Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 6th , characterized in that the device (1) has a signaling device (16) which is designed and communicating with the control device (15) in such a way that it signals the determined filling level (2) to a user. Device according to one of the Claims 7 , characterized in that the signaling device (16) has an optical display (21). Coffee machine (17) with a device (1) according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th and with a brewing unit (20) for preparing a coffee beverage from the ground grist (4). Method for determining a fill level (2) of a container (3) with ground material (4), which is ground from the container (3) with a grinder (6) in successive grinding processes, with the following procedural measures: Pre-determination of an acoustic reference frequency response in each case ( 11) during a grinding process for at least one filling level (2) of the container (3) with grist (4) and storing the at least one reference frequency response (11), receiving frequency responses (14) of grinding processes during operation and comparing the received frequency responses ( 14) with the at least one reference frequency response (11) and assignment of the received frequency response (14) to a level (2) when the received frequency response (14) matches the reference frequency response (11) associated with the level (2).

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