Automatic coffee maker with sensor for detecting the quantity of coffee in the machine

摘要

The machine comprises: a brewing unit (3); a water reservoir (7); a boiler (11) for the production of hot water to supply to the brewing unit; a coffee container (13); an electronic control unit (27); a user interface (33). At least one capacitive sensor (31) is associated to the coffee container to detect the quantity of residual coffee in the container (13). The sensor is connected to the electronic control unit, which is programmed to supply to a user by means of the interface at least a piece of information regarding the quantity of coffee in said container.

主权项

1. An automatic coffee maker, comprising:
a brewing unit; a water supply to a boiler for the production of hot water to supply to said brewing unit; a coffee container; an electronic control unit; a user interface; and wherein at least one capacitive sensor is associated to said coffee container at a position such that the sensor supplies a signal indicating one of a presence or absence of coffee in said position which corresponds to a threshold at which there remains a quantity of coffee beans or powder in said container sufficient to prepare at least one cup of brewed coffee, said sensor connected to said electronic control unit to supply said signal; wherein said signal is supplied when the coffee maker is still able to complete an on-going brewing cycle, and wherein said electronic control unit is programmed to supply to a user through said interface information regarding the quantity of coffee in said container wherein said at least one capacitive sensor comprises at least one electrically conductive strip interfaced with said container to supply a signal at least when the quantity of coffee in said container is below a threshold value.