Devices and related control methods for grinding coffee beans

Abstract

The grinding device (2) for grinding coffee beans includes: a user interface (8) for selecting the amount of coffee to be ground from a range of selectable amounts; a motor (13) powered by mains voltage to drive the grinders (11, 12); a device (20) for measuring the mains voltage; and an electronic controller (3) configured to: associate a series of grinding time values ​​with a series of corresponding values ​​of the mains voltage for each selectable amount of coffee to be ground; acquire the value of the amount of coffee to be ground selected by the user via the interface (8); detect the value of the mains voltage by the measuring device (20); set the grinding time value corresponding to the primarily detected voltage value for the acquired value of the amount of coffee to be ground selected by the user; and drive the grinders (11, 12) to the set grinding time value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for grinding coffee beans and a method for controlling it. Background Technology

[0002] As is well known, the final result of brewing is affected by a variety of parameters, which may or may not depend on the user's preferences.

[0003] For example, the final particle size of ground coffee powder is one of the most important variables in determining the final result.

[0004] By determining the pressure drop of the percolation water, the flow rate supplied by the pump and the thermal performance of the boiler can be determined. The final particle size of the coffee grounds significantly affects the hydraulic conditions of the percolation.

[0005] A finer grind results in a greater extraction of the coffee's components, producing a richer beverage with more crema, while a coarser grind is better suited for preparing coffee with less crema and less extraction.

[0006] Due to the variability of many other parameters that depend on the type of coffee used, particularly batch, brand, roasting, and moisture content, as well as the grinder, especially the grinding system, the mechanical adjustments after break-in, grinder wear, and the amount of coffee added, it is difficult to define the correct dose of ground coffee at a given particle size according to the user's taste.

[0007] US2013001339 discloses a time-based grinder control method, wherein a user sets the amount of coffee to be ground via an interface. The grinder's controller adjusts the grinder's activation time based on the user-selected coffee powder particle size setting.

[0008] The drawback of this method is that it does not take into account various auxiliary conditions that may affect the final result. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Therefore, the technical objective of this invention is to manufacture an apparatus for grinding coffee and a method for controlling it, thereby eliminating the technical defects of the cited prior art.

[0010] As part of this technical task, one object of the present invention is to provide the correct amount of ground coffee, taking into account both user-selectable preferences and auxiliary conditions that the user cannot determine.

[0011] According to the present invention, the technical task and these and other objectives are achieved by a grinding apparatus for grinding coffee beans, the grinding apparatus comprising a hopper for coffee beans, a grinder, a user interface for selecting the amount of coffee to be ground within a selectable range of coffee powder values, and an electric motor powered by mains voltage for driving the grinder, characterized in that the grinding apparatus includes a measuring device for measuring the mains voltage and an electronic controller configured to:

[0012] - For each value of the optional amount of ground coffee, a series of grinding time values ​​are associated with a series of corresponding values ​​of mains voltage;

[0013] - Retrieve the value of the amount of ground coffee selected by the user via the interface;

[0014] - The mains voltage value is detected by the measuring device;

[0015] - For the amount of coffee grounds selected by the user, set a grinding time value corresponding to the detected mains voltage value; and

[0016] - Drive the grinder to the set grinding time value.

[0017] The present invention also relates to a method for controlling a grinding apparatus for grinding coffee beans, the grinding apparatus having a grinder capable of being driven by an electric motor powered by mains voltage, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:

[0018] - For each value of the amount of coffee that the user can select, a series of grinding time values ​​are associated with a series of corresponding values ​​of mains voltage;

[0019] - Get the value of the amount of ground coffee selected by the user;

[0020] - Detect the mains voltage value;

[0021] - For the amount of coffee grounds selected by the user, set a grinding time value corresponding to the detected mains voltage value; and

[0022] - Drive the grinder to the set grinding time value.

[0023] Advantageously, the correlation between grinding time and mains voltage can be experimentally determined for each amount of ground coffee that the user can choose.

[0024] This correlation can be determined experimentally and represented by mathematical laws or tables that establish a two-way correspondence between grinding time and mains voltage for each value of the amount of coffee that the user can choose.

[0025] Therefore, the present invention allows for compensation for temporal variations in mains power supply voltage caused by the variability of the load on the power distribution trunk line, for example, when many industrial plants are shut down, the load can vary significantly between day and night.

[0026] When the mains power supply voltage changes, distributing the correct amount of ground coffee obtained by modifying the grinding time improves the user experience, as users can enjoy coffee with sensory characteristics corresponding to their choices.

[0027] The amount of ground coffee that a user can select is related to several parameters, including the source of the coffee, the degree of roasting of the coffee beans, the particle size of the ground coffee, and the mechanical and / or capacitive differential of the grinding device. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Taking all these parameters into account, the user selects the amount of coffee to grind, and once the user's selection is received, the electronic controller determines the grinding time based on the detected mains power supply voltage. Further features and advantages of the invention will become more fully apparent from the description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the apparatus and related control methods according to the invention, illustrated by non-limiting examples in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0029] Figure 1 A coffee machine with an integrated grinding device is shown schematically.

[0030] Figure 2 Some components of the grinding apparatus are shown;

[0031] Figure 3 The filter holders with single-dose and dual-dose loading capacities and two removable filters are schematically shown.

[0032] Figure 4 Four mathematical functions are shown that correlate grinding time (vertical axis yi, in seconds) with mains voltage (horizontal axis x, in volts) to produce the amount of ground coffee selected by the user. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The coffee bean grinder 2 can be of a standalone type, or as... Figure 1 As shown, it can be integrated into coffee machine 1.

[0034] The grinding device 2 includes, in a known manner, an electronic controller 3, a user interface 8 for selecting the amount of ground coffee within a range of selectable coffee powder values, a coffee bean loading hopper 10, grinders 11 and 12 for receiving coffee beans from the loading hopper 10, and an electric motor 13 powered by mains voltage to drive the grinders 11 and 12.

[0035] The electric motor 13 can be a typical general-purpose motor or a DC motor, but it can also be a different type of motor.

[0036] User interface 8 may include various types of selectors, such as knobs and / or levers and / or buttons, such as virtual buttons made using "touchscreen" technology. Figure 1 In this interface 8, at least a first selector 21 and a second selector 22 are included. As will be seen below, the first selector 21 distinguishes whether to dispense only one or two doses of ground coffee, and the second selector 22 indicates the amount of ground coffee requested by the user.

[0037] The grinding machines 11 and 12 can be driven by the relative rotation of the electric motor 13.

[0038] Specifically, the grinding machine 2 includes a rotary grinding machine 11 and a non-rotary grinding machine 12, which are coaxial with respect to the axis 14 and define a gap 15 that determines the particle size to be ground.

[0039] The grinding apparatus typically includes a device for adjusting the particle size of the ground coffee, configured to change the distance between grinders 11 and 12, and may also include a sensor for detecting the distance between the grinders in communication with an electronic controller. Alternatively, such a sensor for detecting the distance between the grinders may not be included.

[0040] The particle size adjustment device includes an adjustment ring 16, which can be driven to move the non-rotating mill 12 parallel to the axis 14, thereby changing the width of the gap 15.

[0041] Grinding apparatuses having a different structure from the above-described structure obviously fall within the scope of this invention.

[0042] The coffee machine 1 includes a brewing water supply pump 4 in a known manner, which is connected to a water tank 5 by suction or directly to a main water line, and the coffee machine has a brewing water heating boiler 6 and a brewer 7.

[0043] In the case shown where the grinding device 2 is integrated into the coffee machine 1, a single electronic controller 3 and a single user interface 8 may be included for both.

[0044] Coffee machine 1 can automatically dispense a certain amount of ground coffee directly into the brewer, or as... Figure 1 As shown, a certain amount of ground coffee is manually dispensed into the filters 18a and 18b of the filter holder 18, which can be gripped by the handle 19 so that it can be manually attached to the head of the brewer 7.

[0045] The filter holder 18 is configured to interchangeably hold either a single-dose filter 18a or a dual-dose filter 18b for ground coffee.

[0046] Advantageously, the grinding apparatus 2 includes a device 20 for measuring the mains voltage supplying the motor 13, whether it is general-purpose, DC or other types.

[0047] The device 20 for measuring mains voltage can be made of a dedicated electronic circuit that communicates with the electronic controller 3.

[0048] The electronic controller 3 is configured to: associate a series of grinding time values ​​with a series of corresponding mains voltage values ​​for each selectable amount of ground coffee; acquire the value of the amount of ground coffee selected by the user via interface 8; detect the mains voltage value via measuring device 20; set a grinding time value corresponding to the detected mains voltage value for the acquired value of the amount of ground coffee selected by the user; and drive the grinders 11 and 12 to the set grinding time.

[0049] More precisely, the electronic controller 3 is configured to detect the mains voltage before driving the grinder.

[0050] For example, when a user makes a selection and gives a grinding command via interface 8, the measuring device 20 measures the mains voltage and transmits the mains voltage to the electronic controller 3 before the electronic controller 3 can begin grinding.

[0051] Alternatively, the voltage measurement can be updated at regular time intervals, and the last measurement obtained by the measuring device 20 is transmitted to the electronic controller 3 before grinding can begin. The electronic controller 3 advantageously stores in its memory mathematical rules and / or tables, determined experimentally, representing the correlation between grinding time values ​​and corresponding mains voltage values ​​for each quantity of optional ground coffee.

[0052] This correlation defines the inverse relationship between the grinding time value and the corresponding mains voltage value.

[0053] The user's precise selection of the amount of ground coffee is related to various parameters, including the particle size of the ground coffee, the source of the coffee, the degree of roasting of the coffee beans, and the mechanical and / or capacitive differential of the grinding device.

[0054] The second selector 22 is used to perform a fine selection of the amount of ground coffee.

[0055] By making the same selection of the parameters mentioned above through the final selection made by the second selector 22, the user can always select between a first coarse amount of ground coffee (if he / she uses a filter 18a with a single dose of ground coffee for brewing) and a second coarse amount of ground coffee (if he / she uses a filter 18b with a double dose of ground coffee for brewing) via the first selector 21 through interface 8.

[0056] Ultimately, the first selector 21 of the interface is used to roughly select the amount of ground coffee based on the type of filter the user decides to use, while the second selector 22 is used to finely select the amount of ground coffee based on the aforementioned parameters.

[0057] To clarify how grinding time relates to mains voltage, we refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 Four mathematical functions, determined through experiments, are shown.

[0058] Each function y refers to a specific amount of ground coffee selected. ij Match the grinding time to the mains voltage.

[0059] A mathematical function can be a polynomial function of degree n.

[0060] For example, but not necessarily, Figure 1 The mathematical function shown is quadratic, and therefore describes a parabola.

[0061] In the function y ij middle:

[0062] “i” refers to a rough selection of the amount of ground coffee, where i = 1 for filter 18a configured to contain a single dose of ground coffee and i = 2 for filter 18b configured to contain a double dose of ground coffee.

[0063] “j” refers to the fine selection of the amount of ground coffee, where j = 1, 2, ... N and N is the number of possible values ​​for the amount of ground coffee, and where as the value of the exponent J progresses, the value of the selected amount of ground coffee gradually increases from the minimum value (corresponding to j = 1) to the maximum value (corresponding to j = N).

[0064] Therefore: function y 11 Determine the minimum grinding time for the selectable amount of ground coffee in a single-dose filter 18a when the mains voltage varies; function y 21 The function yw determines the grinding time for the minimum amount of selectable ground coffee in the dual-dose filter 18b when the mains voltage changes; the function yw determines the grinding time for the maximum amount of selectable ground coffee in the single-dose filter 18a when the mains voltage changes; and the function y 2N Determine the grinding time for the maximum amount of selectable ground coffee in the dual-dose filter 18b when the mains voltage changes.

[0065] Typically, each value of the optional ground coffee “ij” corresponds to the function y. ij .

[0066] Therefore, when using a single-dose filter 18a, there are N functions y.ij Furthermore, when using the dual-dose filter 18b, there are N other functions y. ij .

[0067] However, alternatively, a simplified logic can be used, which focuses on determining only y. 11 y 21 y 1N y 2N That is, the function y is determined only for the minimum and maximum values ​​of the amount of ground coffee. ij Furthermore, a predetermined relationship, such as a linear relationship, is envisioned between the selected amount of ground coffee and the grinding time for each mains voltage value; this is true both when using a single-dose filter 18a with ground coffee (i=1) and a dual-dose filter 18b with ground coffee (i=2).

[0068] In fact, through interface 8, the user uses the first selector 21 to select the type of filter and the second selector 22 to select the precise amount of ground coffee.

[0069] The electronic controller 3 acquires the value of the amount of ground coffee selected by the user and the value of the mains voltage.

[0070] The electronic controller 3 selects a mathematical function or table that is combined with the request processed by the user, and calculates the grinding time using the selected mathematical function or table based on the detected voltage value, and sets the grinding time value calculated in this way for driving the grinders 11 and 12.

[0071] The coffee bean grinding device and its related control methods, conceived in this way, are easily modified and varied, all falling within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, all details can be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0072] In practice, the materials and dimensions used can be determined according to needs and existing technology.

Claims

1. A grinding device (2) for grinding coffee beans, comprising a hopper (10) for the coffee beans, a grinder (11, 12), a user interface (8) for selecting the amount of ground coffee in a range of values of the selectable amount of coffee powder, and an electric motor (13) powered by a mains voltage for driving the grinder (11, 12), characterized in that, The user interface (8) includes a first selector (21) and a second selector (22), the first selector being used for coarse selection to determine whether to dispense only one or two doses of ground coffee, and the second selector being used for fine selection to indicate the amount of ground coffee requested by the user. Furthermore, the grinding apparatus is characterized by comprising a measuring device (20) for measuring the mains voltage and an electronic controller (3), the electronic controller being configured to: - For each value of the optional amount of ground coffee, a series of grinding time values ​​are associated with a series of corresponding values ​​of the mains voltage; - Obtain the value of the amount of ground coffee selected by the user via the user interface (8); - The mains voltage value is detected by the measuring device (20); - For the obtained value of the amount of ground coffee selected by the user, set the grinding time value corresponding to the detected mains voltage value; and - Drive the grinders (11, 12) to the set grinding time value; Furthermore, the electronic controller (3) is characterized in that it stores mathematical rules and / or tables in its memory, the mathematical rules and / or tables being determined experimentally, and showing the correlation between the series of grinding time values ​​and the series of corresponding values ​​of the mains voltage for each selectable amount of ground coffee. The mathematical rule and / or table contains a function (y ij ) associated with each combination of the user's selected coarse selection and fine selection.

2. The grinding device (2) for grinding coffee beans according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electronic controller (3) is configured to detect the mains voltage before driving the grinder (11, 12).

3. The grinding device (2) for grinding coffee beans according to claim 1, characterized in that, The correlation defines the inverse correlation between grinding time and mains voltage.

4. The grinding apparatus (2) for grinding coffee beans according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The measuring device (20) for measuring the mains voltage includes a dedicated electronic circuit that communicates with the electronic controller (3).

5. A coffee machine (1) incorporating a grinding device (2) according to any of the preceding claims.

6. The coffee machine (1) according to claim 5, wherein the coffee machine has a filter holder (18) having interchangeable filters (18a, 18b) for receiving single or double doses of ground coffee, characterized in that, The user interface (8) is configured to select the filter (18a, 18b) in conjunction with the value of the amount of ground coffee.

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