Drip Coffee Machine with Electric Water Level Sensor

A drip coffee machine comprising:

• a water tank connector configured to couple with a water tank and receive water from the water tank;
• a water level sensor configured to couple with the water tank connector, the water level sensor defining an interior region configured to receive water flowing from the water tank, the water level sensor comprising a pair of electrodes positioned within the interior region, wherein a resistance between the pair of electrodes indicates whether water is present in the water tank;
• a heat source configured to receive water flowing from the water level sensor and to heat the received water;
• and
• a processor in communication with the water level sensor and the heat source, the processor configured to turn on the heat source and to turn off the heat source based in part on the resistance between the pair of electrodes of the water level sensor, wherein the processor is configured to turn off the heat source and end a brewing cycle when the resistance between the pair of electrodes of the water level sensor indicates that water is not present in the water tank.

A method for operating a drip coffee machine, the method comprising:

• measuring, with a processor of the drip coffee machine, during a brewing cycle of the drip coffee machine, a resistance between two electrodes of a water level sensor positioned at a junction where a water tank connects to the drip coffee machine, wherein the resistance between the two electrodes of the water level sensor indicates whether water is present in the water tank;
• determining, with the processor, based on the measured resistance between the two electrodes of the water level sensor, that water is not present in the water tank during the brewing cycle;
• and
• turning off, with the processor, a heating source of the drip coffee machine based on the determination that water is not present in the water tank during the brewing cycle, the heating source configured to heat water from the water tank.