The present invention relates to a measurement device (10) for measuring a volume of liquid contained in a vessel, comprising: —a main vessel (12) for receiving a liquid; —a reference vessel (14) which has a smaller volume than the main vessel (12), wherein the main vessel (12) and the reference ves
The present invention relates to a measurement device (10) for measuring a volume of liquid contained in a vessel, comprising: —a main vessel (12) for receiving a liquid; —a reference vessel (14) which has a smaller volume than the main vessel (12), wherein the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) are fluidly connectable to each other as communicating vessels; —a pump (16) which is connected to the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) for extracting liquid from the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14); —a minimum level sensor (26) which is configured to send a reference signal if a minimum liquid level within the reference vessel (14) is reached; —a first valve (20, 20′) via which the reference vessel (14) is fluidly connected to the pump (16), wherein the first valve (20, 20′) is configured to be closed off if the minimum liquid level within the reference vessel (14) is reached; and —a control unit (30) which is connected to the minimum level sensor (26, 26′) and the pump (16) and configured to measure a reference time between an activation of the pump (16) and a receipt of the reference signal, wherein the control unit (30) is further configured to calculate, based on the reference time and a flow rate of the pump (16), a liquid volume within the main vessel (12) and/or a total liquid volume within the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) together.” has been deleted and —The present invention relates to a measurement device (10) for measuring a volume of liquid contained in a vessel, including: —a main vessel (12) for receiving a liquid; —a reference vessel (14) which has a smaller volume than the main vessel (12), wherein the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) are fluidly connectable to each other as communicating vessels; —a pump (16) which is connected to the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) for extracting liquid from the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14); —a minimum level sensor (26) which is configured to send a reference signal if a minimum liquid level within the reference vessel (14) is reached; —a first valve (20, 20′) via which the reference vessel (14) is fluidly connected to the pump (16), wherein the first valve (20, 20′) is configured to be closed off if the minimum liquid level within the reference vessel (14) is reached; and —a control unit (30) which is connected to the minimum level sensor (26, 26′) and the pump (16) and configured to measure a reference time between an activation of the pump (16) and a receipt of the reference signal, wherein the control unit (30) is further configured to calculate, based on the reference time and a flow rate of the pump (16), a liquid volume within the main vessel (12) and/or a total liquid volume within the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) together.
대표청구항▼
1. A measurement device for measuring a volume of liquid contained in a vessel, comprising: a main vessel for receiving a liquid;a reference vessel which has a smaller volume than the main vessel, wherein the main vessel and the reference vessel are fluidly connectable to each other as communicating
1. A measurement device for measuring a volume of liquid contained in a vessel, comprising: a main vessel for receiving a liquid;a reference vessel which has a smaller volume than the main vessel, wherein the main vessel and the reference vessel are fluidly connectable to each other as communicating vessels;a pump which is connected to the main vessel and the reference vessel for extracting liquid from the main vessel and the reference vessel;a minimum level sensor which is configured to send a reference signal if a minimum liquid level within the reference vessel is reached;a first valve via which the reference vessel is fluidly connected to the pump, wherein the first valve is configured to be closed off if the minimum liquid level within the reference vessel is reached; anda control unit which is connected to the minimum level sensor and the pump and configured to measure a reference time between an activation of the pump and a receipt of the reference signal, wherein the control unit is further configured to calculate, based on the reference time and a flow rate of the pump, a liquid volume within the main vessel and/or a total liquid volume within the main vessel and the reference vessel together. 2. The measurement device according to claim 1, further comprising a selector for selecting an amount of liquid to be extracted from the main vessel and the reference vessel by means of the pump during an extraction event, wherein an extraction event denotes the event between an activation and a subsequent deactivation of the pump. 3. The measurement device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to calculate the liquid volume within the main vessel and/or the total liquid volume additionally based on the selected amount of liquid. 4. The measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to calculate the liquid volume within the main vessel and/or the total liquid volume additionally based on a geometrical dimension of the main vessel and the reference vessel. 5. The measurement device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to calculate the liquid volume within the main vessel and/or the total liquid volume based on: (i) the reference time measured during a first extraction event, (ii) the reference time measured during a second extraction event following the first extraction event, (iii) the flow rate of the pump, (iv) the amount of liquid selected for the first extraction event, and (v) the amount of liquid selected for the second extraction event. 6. The measurement device according to claim 1, further comprising a memory unit which is connected to the control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to store the measured reference time, the calculated liquid volume of the main vessel and/or the calculated total liquid volume in the memory unit. 7. The measurement device according to claim 1, further comprising a restriction element for restricting a liquid flow from the main vessel to the pump. 8. The measurement device according to claim 7, wherein the minimum level sensor comprises a float which is configured to close off the first valve if the minimum liquid level within the reference vessel is reached. 9. The measurement device according to claim 8, wherein the minimum level sensor comprises a first contact sensor which is arranged at or near the first valve and configured to detect a contact of the float with the first valve. 10. The measurement device according to claim 8, further comprising: (i) a stopper which is arranged within the reference vessel and configured to prevent the float from floating over a predetermined height within the reference vessel; and (ii) a second contact sensor which is arranged at or near the stopper and configured to detect a contact of the float with the stopper. 11. The measurement device according to claim 1, further comprising a second valve, wherein the main vessel is connected to the pump via the second valve, wherein the first valve is configured to be closed off as soon as the minimum level sensor detects that a minimum liquid level within the reference vessel is reached, and wherein the second valve is configured to be opened as soon as the minimum level sensor detects that the minimum liquid level within the reference vessel is reached. 12. The measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the pump is, upon activation, configured to generate a liquid flow rate which is constant over time. 13. The measurement device according to claim 1, further comprising a flow meter for measuring the flow rate of the liquid extracted from the main vessel and the reference vessel. 14. Beverage dispensing machine comprising the measurement device as claimed in claim 1.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (5)
Hazan Jean-Pierre (Sucy FRX) Nagel Jean-Louis (Brevannes FRX), Appliance for infusing a substance.
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