Coffee bean grinder

Abstract

The coffee bean grinder (1) includes at least one grinder module (4), at least one coffee bean supply section (2), and a ground coffee dispensing area (6) with a tray (13), wherein a porta filter (9) to be filled with ground coffee is placed on the tray (13) for dispensing ground coffee into the porta filter (9), wherein the coffee bean grinder (1) includes a proximity sensor for detecting the presence of the porta filter (9) on the tray (13), and wherein the proximity sensor is at least indirectly connected to the grinder control unit (5), characterized in that the proximity sensor is a non-contact proximity sensor (16).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an improved coffee bean grinder, a method for operating the coffee bean grinder, and a method for upgrading existing prior art coffee bean grinders. Background Technology

[0002] The coffee brewing process, starting with coffee beans, involves the steps of grinding the coffee beans and then extracting coffee from them by supplying a preset amount of hot water to the appropriate brewing chamber.

[0003] Coffee grinders, especially those used in professional environments, are highly specialized, high-performance devices designed to produce the desired amount of freshly ground coffee as quickly as possible for distribution into a portafilter. The portafilter is then used in the actual coffee machine for the brewing process. To produce ground coffee as quickly and reliably as possible, modern coffee grinders are highly automated devices with electronic controls; that is, the grinding process is controlled based on user input and / or automatically detected coffee bean quality.

[0004] One of the problems associated with coffee grinders is that the mechanical components experience high wear due to intensive use and the resulting ground coffee, and this essentially includes any component that is directly or indirectly exposed to the outside, or exposed to coffee beans and / or ground coffee.

[0005] DE202019102316U1 relates to a coffee grinder comprising: a body including an inlet for introducing coffee beans into the body and an outlet for dispensing ground coffee from the body; a grinder assembly arranged in the body for grinding coffee beans; a drive unit connected to the grinder to move the grinder; a control unit connected to the drive unit to send start / stop command signals to the drive unit; a carrier element for supporting a filter carrier such that the filter carrier is positioned below the outlet; a load unit connected to the carrier element to weigh the filter carrier, wherein the load unit is connected to the control unit to send a weight signal indicating the weight of the filter carrier to the control unit; and a proximity sensor for detecting the presence of the filter carrier on the carrier element.

[0006] US-A-2016143481 relates to a coffee grinder having a dispensing conduit connected to a grinder unit for dispensing coffee into a filter supported by a filter holder. The filter holder is positioned above a support platform connected to a load unit, which weighs the ground coffee contained in the filter and sends an indicated weight value of the ground coffee contained in the filter to a control unit such that the grinder unit stops when the weight of the ground coffee contained in the filter equals a dose. The load unit is located inside a support frame that houses the grinder unit and a motor for actuating the grinder unit. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, the object of this invention is to provide an improved coffee bean grinder apparatus that is more reliable and, particularly in professional environments, allows for very rapid and continuous production of ground coffee. The aim is to provide an apparatus that requires as little maintenance as possible and can be controlled as continuously as possible.

[0008] Accordingly, the present invention proposes an improvement to a coffee bean grinder, comprising at least one grinder module, at least one coffee bean supply section, and a ground coffee dispensing area with a holder, wherein a porta filter to be filled with ground coffee is placed on the holder for dispensing the ground coffee into the porta filter.

[0009] Known conventional coffee grinders are either manually activated by the barista once the pota filter is placed on the holder, or they incorporate a mechanical proximity sensor in the form of a button located on or inside the holder or on a wall portion of the grinder, activated by contact with the pota filter. Therefore, these types of grinders include a proximity sensor for detecting the presence of the pota filter on the holder, and this proximity sensor is at least indirectly coupled to the grinder control unit. For example, a proximity sensor mechanical switch is used to automatically trigger and initiate the actual grinding process.

[0010] It has now been found that these mechanical switches are unreliable due to the presence of moving parts. Dirt, especially small particles of ground coffee, can enter the grooves between the moving parts and, with continuous and intensive use, cause the corresponding mechanical switches to malfunction or even fail completely. Another problem is that during intensive use of the filter, the metal parts of the filter can reach very high temperatures, potentially damaging the mechanical switches upon contact. Furthermore, during intensive use, operators may roughly move the filter into its holder, directly causing mechanical damage to the switches.

[0011] The result is that the grinding process fails to start reliably after a certain period of time, or fails to start at all due to complete failure of the mechanical switches. This leads to increased maintenance costs and downtime for the coffee grinder. In many cases, these mechanical switches must be cleaned or even replaced.

[0012] Therefore, according to the present invention, these mechanical proximity sensors are replaced by non-contact proximity sensors. It has been found that the use of non-contact proximity sensors in this field essentially solves all the problems, because non-contact proximity sensors do not include moving mechanical parts and can be housed in a corresponding housing or positioned behind the wall of the coffee grinder housing. Further use of non-contact proximity sensors opens up new prospects for controlling coffee grinder devices.

[0013] Compared to mechanical proximity sensors, non-contact proximity sensors can provide information not only about the presence of a pota filter, but also about its proper positioning and / or type. This is because, unlike mechanical switches that simply provide a yes or no signal, non-contact proximity sensors primarily measure how an object passes through the sensing field. Therefore, non-contact proximity sensors make a wide range of parameters available for control. For example, they can be used to identify whether a proper and approved pota filter is being used, and to refuse grinding if an incorrect pota filter is used. They can also be used to identify a specific type of pota filter and then initiate a grinding process suitable for that type (type of grind, amount of ground coffee, etc.). Furthermore, such proximity sensors allow detection that the pota filter is not only present but also properly positioned below the corresponding conduit for conveying ground coffee, and can be used to control the grinding process in the sense of warning the operator if the pota filter is not properly positioned.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the non-contact proximity sensor may be an ultrasonic sensor, a capacitive sensor, a photoelectric sensor (e.g., similar to a light barrier), an electronic image sensor (CMOS and CCD), a laser distance sensor, or a sensor based on magnetic field effects (inductive sensor). Alternatively, the sensor may be a combination of these sensing mechanisms.

[0015] The sensor is preferably capable not only of sensing the presence of a polka dot filter, but also of identifying the type of polka dot filter and the state of the polka dot filter (fill level, positioning method, etc.) by means of identification such as form, material, reflection, barcode or QR code identification or passive / active transponder (e.g., at least one of near field communication (NFC)).

[0016] Typically, coffee grinders do not include a load unit for detecting the weight of the pota filter; control of the pota filter is achieved solely using non-contact proximity sensors.

[0017] According to a first preferred embodiment, the non-contact proximity sensor is a sensor for detecting metallic objects. This can be used very effectively for safety reasons, thereby preventing the grinding process from being actually triggered if a non-metallic object approaches, in which case a metal-based polka dot filter would typically be detected.

[0018] The non-contact proximity sensor is preferably a sensor that generates a magnetic field, and preferably senses disturbances in the magnetic field when at least a portion of the polka dome filter enters the magnetic field. This is achieved, for example, by detecting changes in current and / or voltage (or changes in resistance, impedance, or power consumption) supplied to an electrical or electronic component that preferably takes the form of a coil and generates the magnetic field.

[0019] The non-contact proximity sensor may, for example, include a coil that generates a magnetic field, which is at least partially or preferably wound multiple times around a core, preferably a ferrite core.

[0020] The non-contact proximity sensor preferably has a nominal sensing distance (Sn) in the range of 2-10 mm, and more preferably in the range of 3-5 mm.

[0021] Non-contact proximity sensors are typically positioned on the rear wall portion of the ground coffee dispensing area of ​​a coffee grinder, and preferably at a height substantially corresponding to the height of the circumferential wall of the filter placed on the holder. However, the non-contact proximity sensor may also be integrated into the holder, or positioned below the filter. It may also be positioned above the filter and, for example, adjacent to the conduit used to dispense ground coffee into the filter. Furthermore, the non-contact proximity sensor may be positioned at or integrated into such a conduit.

[0022] This non-contact proximity sensor is further preferably located in a separate housing that can be mounted, for example, on the rear wall portion of the coffee grinding area at a height that preferably corresponds to the height of the circumferential wall of the pod filter placed on the bracket.

[0023] Preferably, the housing of the non-contact proximity sensor houses the printed circuit board and the element that generates the sensing field. Either the housing can be placed behind the wall of the coffee grinder housing, or it can be embedded within the housing; however, it can also be placed on the surface of the coffee grinder housing, with the sensor wiring passing through a small hole in the coffee grinder housing.

[0024] The components in such a housing are preferably enclosed or embedded in a dustproof and / or waterproof manner by being embedded in an encapsulation.

[0025] As noted above, typically and preferably, non-contact proximity sensors are capable of detecting different types of pulsar filters and / or the positioning method and proper positioning of pulsar filters, and triggering sensing signals to allow the grinder control unit to distinguish these different types and use this distinction for control purposes or to issue warning signals in cases where the pulsar filter is improperly positioned, improperly loaded, or of an inappropriate type. This detection can take the form of at least one of the following:

[0026] • Scan the corresponding code (which may be a barcode, QR code, passive or active transponder, text, numbers, or a combination thereof, and may involve optical character recognition) embedded in or located on the filter in a manner that identifies the filter individually or based on the type of filter.

[0027] • The type of pollo filter can be identified through specific sensor feedback, such as by the type of signal from a capacitive sensor and / or a magnetic sensor and / or a light sensor;

[0028] • Perform geometric recognition (image recognition), which can be achieved in the form of two-dimensional recognition (contour or segment recognition) or three-dimensional recognition;

[0029] • Identify the weight and volume of the Polta filter.

[0030] As noted, this more refined sensing can be used for control and / or monitoring and / or user interaction, such as involving personalized tracking and statistics and / or accounting, issuing warnings and / or user commands based on detected polka dot filters, polka dot filter fill, polka dot filter status, etc., and directly controlling the machine and initiating further operations based on detected polka dot filters.

[0031] These methods may involve pre-programming polta filter features into a library within the machine, or, if the machine is attached to the internet or another external database, establishing links to the appropriate library that is accessible via the internet or external database.

[0032] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of operating such a grinder as described above. Preferably, according to this method, upon detection of the pota filter, the non-contact proximity sensor triggers a signal delivered to the grinder control unit, which is preferably used by the grinder control unit to initiate the grinding process and / or release ground coffee from the intermediate storage container into the pota filter. The signal can also be used to initiate a corresponding dialogue with the operator via an interface on the coffee bean grinder, for example, to trigger a process for selecting the grind quality.

[0033] The signal from the non-contact proximity sensor is preferably capable of distinguishing between different types of polka dot filters. Preferably, using this discrimination, the grinder control unit controls the grinding process, particularly in terms of at least one of the following parameters: grinding time, width of the grinding trough, weight of ground coffee, type of coffee supplied to the grinder, grinder speed, or a combination thereof.

[0034] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for upgrading a coffee bean grinder, the coffee bean grinder including at least one grinder module, at least one coffee bean supply section, and a ground coffee dispensing area with a holder, wherein a portafilter to be filled with ground coffee is placed on the holder for dispensing ground coffee into the portafilter. The coffee bean grinder includes a proximity sensor for detecting the presence of the portafilter on the holder, and the proximity sensor is at least indirectly connected to a grinder control unit. According to the proposed upgrade process, the mechanical proximity sensor is replaced by a non-contact proximity sensor, which is preferably located in a separate housing and preferably mounted on the rear wall portion of the ground coffee dispensing area at a height corresponding to the height of the circumferential wall of the portafilter placed on the holder.

[0035] Further embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims. Attached Figure Description

[0036] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrating conventional preferred embodiments of the invention and not for limiting the scope of the preferred embodiments. In the drawings,

[0037] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a coffee bean grinder according to the prior art is shown in the side view;

[0038] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a coffee bean grinder according to the present invention is shown in a side view;

[0039] Figure 3 The non-contact proximity sensor and the adjacent polka-dot filter are shown in a horizontal cross-section. Detailed Implementation

[0040] Figure 1 A prior art coffee bean grinder 1 is schematically shown in a side view. A coffee bean container 2 containing coffee beans is located at the top. Under gravity, the coffee beans in the coffee bean container 2 are allowed to enter the actual grinder module 4, which grinds the coffee beans into the desired coffee powder. The ground coffee is then guided to a ground coffee dispensing area 6, typically a recessed area of ​​the coffee bean grinder 1, using a conduit (not shown).

[0041] The coffee grinder 1 includes a grinder control unit 5 and a typical user input / output device 14, such as a user input / output device in the form of a display and buttons, or a touchscreen, for interaction with the machine operator. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a load unit 7, which is a weight sensor, is provided in a separate bottom portion 8. This load unit controls the amount of ground coffee dispensed into the pota filter 9. Dashed lines illustrate the signal and control wiring between the corresponding components, thus the grinder control unit connects to and interacts controllably with the grinder module 4 and the user input / output device. The grinder control unit interacts with the load unit 7 by receiving and using the corresponding weight signals to control the grinding and / or dispensing process. Additionally, the device includes power supply components for supplying power to control elements, operating elements, indicator lights, etc., via corresponding wiring. These additional components are not specifically shown and are known to those skilled in the art.

[0042] The pota filter 9 includes an operator-operated handle 10, through which the pota filter is attached to the actual brewing module of the coffee maker with typical displacement and torsional movements. When the coffee grinder 1 is operated, the handle 10 is used to place the pota filter 9 onto the pota filter holder 11. In this case, the pota filter holder 11 has a vertical member 12 and a horizontal bracket 13, the vertical member 12 resting on the bottom portion 8 to allow for weight measurement. Typically, the pota filter 9 is inserted between the two arms of the horizontal bracket 13 so that it rests on the two arms of the horizontal bracket 13 during grinding and dispensing.

[0043] Furthermore, the prior art coffee grinder 1 is equipped with a mechanical proximity sensor 15, typically in the form of a mechanical button. This mechanical proximity sensor 15 is positioned on the rear wall of the coffee grinding dispensing area 6 at a vertical height such that when the bottler filter 9 is placed on the holder 13, the mechanical proximity sensor is pressed, and a corresponding signal is transmitted to the grinder control unit 5 for, for example, to activate the corresponding display on the user input / output device 14.

[0044] Figure 2 A similar schematic diagram is shown, however, instead of a proximity sensor of the prior art, a non-contact proximity sensor 16 is used. As can be seen, this non-contact proximity sensor 16 does not contact the polka dot filter 9 and is located at a safe distance from the polka dot filter 9.

[0045] Figure 3 To pass through according to Figure 2 A schematic horizontal cross-section of the machine shows details of a possible non-contact proximity sensor 16. In this embodiment, the proximity sensor 16 is positioned within a housing 20, which is mounted substantially at the height of the pota filter 9 in or on the rear wall of the aforementioned ground coffee dispensing area. Within this housing, a printed circuit board 21 is positioned, which is wired to the grinder control unit 5 (wiring not shown here). The printed circuit board 21 can also be wired to a power supply. Particularly in cases where the corresponding sensor is used for repowering or upgrading an existing machine, the printed circuit board itself may also include an intelligent component, i.e., processing the signals generated by the actual sensing element, for example, either generating only a yes / no signal or, preferably, generating information about the pota filter to be transmitted to the grinder control unit, such as information about the type of pota filter, the location of the pota filter, etc.

[0046] In this specific case, the non-contact proximity sensor takes the form of a magnetic sensor. The actual sensing element includes a ferrite core 22, a section of which includes a coil connection 23. The core can be permanently magnetized and the coil can be used simply for detecting disturbances in the magnetic field, or the core can be magnetized by a coil and then disturbances in the magnetic field can be detected by changes in the driving current and / or voltage in the coil. The components within the housing 20 are embedded in the encapsulation 24, which allows the sensor element 16 to be used as a single unit and easily upgraded for existing equipment.

[0047] When switched on, the sensor generates a magnetic field, schematically shown through field line 26. A wave tower filter 9, including a perforated filter plate 18 and a metal circumferential wall section 19, approaches the sensor 16 at a distance D without triggering the sensor. Upon further approach, it reaches the sensing distance at a certain moment, at which point the non-contact proximity sensor generates a corresponding signal and transmits it to the grinder control unit. Preferably, this sensor has a nominal sensing distance Sn of 3.5 mm, and the actual sensing distance typically varies within ±10% of this value. Preferably, the hysteresis is less than 10% of the actual sensing distance. This sensor can operate at a 5V power supply voltage with an open-circuit current of less than 10mA. The maximum thermal drift of the actual sensing distance should be less than 10%, and the switching frequency should be in the range of 1kHz.

[0048] List of reference numerals

[0049] 1. Coffee bean grinder

[0050] 2 Coffee bean containers

[0051] 3.1 shell

[0052] 4 Grinding Module

[0053] 5. Grinding machine control unit

[0054] 6. Ground coffee dispensing area

[0055] 7 Load Units

[0056] 8 1 separate bottom section

[0057] 9. Wave Filter

[0058] 10 9 handle

[0059] 11. Wave Tower Filter Bracket

[0060] Vertical components of 12 and 11

[0061] 13 11 Carrier components

[0062] 14 User Input / Output Devices

[0063] 15 Mechanical proximity sensors

[0064] 16 Non-contact proximity sensors

[0065] 17 9 rear side wall portion

[0066] 18 9 perforated filter plate

[0067] 19 9 circumferential wall section

[0068] 20 16 shell

[0069] 21 Printed Circuit Board

[0070] 22 Ferrite cores

[0071] 23 coils

[0072] 24 Packaging Section

[0073] 25 20 front surface

[0074] 26. Schematic diagram of magnetic field lines

[0075] D Distance from the wave tower filter

[0076] Sn nominal sensing distance

Claims

1. A coffee bean grinder (1), comprising: At least one grinder module (4); at least one coffee bean supply unit (2); as well as A ground coffee dispensing area (6) with a holder (13) is provided, on which a pinta filter (9) to be filled with ground coffee is placed for dispensing ground coffee into the pinta filter (9). The coffee grinder (1) includes a proximity sensor for detecting the presence of the pinta filter (9) on the holder (13), and the proximity sensor is at least indirectly connected to the grinder control unit (5). Its features are, The proximity sensor is a non-contact proximity sensor (16) capable of detecting different types of polka filters (9) and / or the positioning method and positioning appropriateness of the polka filters, and capable of triggering a sensing signal to allow the grinder control unit (5) to distinguish these different types and use the distinction for control purposes or to issue a warning signal if the polka filters are improperly positioned, improperly loaded, or of an inappropriate type.

2. The grinder (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The non-contact proximity sensor (16) is a sensor used to detect metal objects.

3. The grinder (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The non-contact proximity sensor (16) is a sensor that generates a magnetic field and senses disturbances in the magnetic field when at least a portion of the polka filter (9) enters the magnetic field.

4. The grinder (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The non-contact proximity sensor (16) is a sensor that generates a magnetic field and senses by detecting changes in current and / or voltage supplied to the electrical or electronic component that generates the magnetic field.

5. The grinder (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The non-contact proximity sensor (16) includes a coil (23) that generates a magnetic field, the coil (23) being at least partially wound around a core.

6. The grinder (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The non-contact proximity sensor has a nominal sensing distance (Sn) in the range of 2-10 mm.

7. The grinder (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The non-contact proximity sensor (16) is positioned at a height corresponding to the height of the circumferential wall (19) of the porta filter (9) placed on the bracket (13) on the rear wall portion of the ground coffee dispensing area (6).

8. The grinder (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The non-contact proximity sensor (16) is positioned in a separate housing (20) that is mounted on the rear wall portion of the ground coffee dispensing area (6) at a height corresponding to the height of the circumferential wall (19) of the polka filter (9) placed on the bracket (13).

9. The grinder according to claim 8, wherein the elements in the housing (20) are embedded in a dustproof and / or waterproof manner.

10. The grinder according to claim 8, wherein the components in the housing (20) are embedded in a dustproof and / or waterproof manner by being embedded in the encapsulation portion (24).

11. The grinder (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The non-contact proximity sensor (16) is a sensor that generates a magnetic field and senses by detecting changes in current and / or voltage supplied to an electrical or electronic component that generates the magnetic field in the form of a coil (23).

12. The grinder (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The non-contact proximity sensor (16) includes a coil (23) that generates a magnetic field, the coil (23) being at least partially wound around a ferrite core.

13. The grinder (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The non-contact proximity sensor has a nominal sensing distance (Sn) in the range of 3-5 mm.

14. The grinder (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The non-contact proximity sensor (16) is positioned in a separate housing (20) that is mounted on the rear wall portion of the ground coffee dispensing area (6) at a height corresponding to the height of the circumferential wall (19) of the polka filter (9) placed on the bracket (13), and wherein the housing houses a printed circuit board (21) and elements (22, 23) that generate a sensing field.

15. A method for operating a grinder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein upon detection of a polka dot filter (9), the non-contact proximity sensor (16) triggers a signal delivered to the grinder control unit (5).

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the signal from the proximity sensor (16) is used by the grinder control unit (5) to initiate the grinding process and / or release ground coffee from the intermediate storage container into the pota filter (9).

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the signal of the non-contact proximity sensor (16) is distinguished between different types of polka dot filters (9), and wherein the grinder control unit (5) controls the grinding process.

18. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the signal of the non-contact proximity sensor (16) is distinguished between different types of polka dot filters (9), and wherein the grinder control unit (5) controls the grinding process in terms of at least one of the following parameters: grinding time, width of the grinding trough, weight of ground coffee, type of coffee supplied to the grinder, grinder speed, or a combination thereof.

19. A method for upgrading a coffee bean grinder (1), the coffee bean grinder (1) comprising at least one grinder module (4), at least one coffee bean supply section (2), and a ground coffee dispensing area (6) with a holder (13), wherein a porta filter (9) to be filled with ground coffee is placed on the holder (13) for dispensing ground coffee into the porta filter (9), the coffee bean grinder (1) comprising a proximity sensor for detecting the presence of the porta filter (9) on the holder (13), and wherein the proximity sensor is at least indirectly coupled to a grinder control unit (5), wherein the proximity sensor is replaced by a non-contact proximity sensor (16) capable of detecting different types of porta filters (9) and / or the positioning and proper positioning of the porta filters, and capable of triggering a sensing signal to allow the grinder control unit (5) to distinguish these different types and use the distinction for control purposes or to issue a warning signal in case of improper positioning, improper loading, or improper type of the porta filter.

20. The method for upgrading a coffee bean grinder (1) according to claim 19, wherein the proximity sensor is positioned in a separate housing (20).

21. The method for upgrading a coffee bean grinder (1) according to claim 19, wherein the proximity sensor is positioned in a separate housing (20) mounted on the rear wall portion of the ground coffee dispensing area (6) at a height corresponding to the height of the circumferential wall (19) of the polka filter (9) placed on the bracket (13).

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