Innovation in coffee grinders

Abstract

The invention is a method that comprises at least one cooling element (40) by determining at least two temperature threshold values and providing cooling in case the upper temperature threshold is approached or exceeded and enables the grinder (20) to be heated until it reaches the predetermined temperature in case it is below the mentioned lower temperature threshold in order to prevent the grinding performance from being affected due to temperature change in grinders (20) driven by an AC asynchronous engine (10), wherein; it is to ensure that the engine body (15) is heated with the resulting heat energy by applying voltage to the main winding / windings (11) or one of the auxiliary windings (12) that belong only to said engine (10).

Description

[0001] INNOVATION IN COFFEE GRINDERS

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention relates to an innovation developed in coffee grinders.

[0004] The invention relates to a method that prevents the distance between the grinder blades from changing, especially due to heating caused by friction in coffee grinders, and ensures grinding at stable sizes.

[0005] PRIOR ART

[0006] Coffee machines are widely used machines today. Both domestic and large-scale machines have become compact and contain special grinding mechanisms in their own structures. In this way, the coffee machine's brewing technique is carried out according to the optimization made on the grinder and the optimum grinding process can be provided according to the type of coffee. In addition, considering that unground coffee beans remain fresh for a longer period of time, grinding just before brewing is an important parameter that directly affects the taste.

[0007] Coffee grinding technique varies depending on the type of coffee to be brewed. The coffee grain size after grinding is the parameter that directly affects the taste. For example, the average particle size for Turkish Coffee is recommended to be 120 microns in diameter, but in practice it can be distributed in a wide range up and down. Having this range with minimal variability is a desired feature for consistent brewing performance and is directly reflected in the product quality..

[0008] The friction that occurs during grinding in coffee grinders, the engine not being 100% efficient, causes heating due to operation (electrical losses and mechanical losses).

[0009] The grinders of industrial or vending coffee machines, where continuous brewing is performed, produce heat during operation. The reason for this heat can be generalized as the heat due to the friction of the coffee beans and the heat occurring in the engine that drives the grinder blades. If this heat is higher than the prescribed amount, the amount of gap between the grinder blades may increase and, accordingly, the sizes of the coffee grains ground with a heated grinder become non-desired / non-standard and the desired efficiency cannot be obtained from the machine. It is an important parameter for drinks such as Turkish Coffee and Espresso, which require grinding in very small particles.

[0010] The blades of the coffee grinders are calibrated during production and the space between them is adjusted to be appropriate for the desired grinding type. This calibration can also be done later. Calibration is usually done by predicting the ambient temperature. However, changes out of tolerance due to the heat generated by use and the temperature increase due to this heat directly affect the final product. Physical heating or cooling of the engine directly causes dimensional changes. In addition, the heat released due to the friction of the coffee beans while using the grinder can form the mentioned dimensional changes.

[0011] In the state of art, cooling systems have been developed to reduce said heat. These cooling systems basically work by blowing air onto the engine block. This process is convectional cooling and is not sufficient to directly prevent the gap between the blades from changing, but can produce a basic solution. In addition, in line with the rules of thermodynamics, it is difficult to keep the material at a constant temperature with only air cooling. In this context, in any case, operating at a temperature above the designed temperature is observed. In summary, the cooling system alone is not sufficient to prevent the gap between the grinding blades from being affected due to temperature change.

[0012] The distance between grinding elements is performed in accordance with patent TR2017 / 17698. This structure affects the distance between the grinder blades at certain rates depending on the temperature change of the engine shaft, engine body, bearing and similar adjustment elements made of different materials. Because performing a dimensional accuracy well below 40 microns brings with it the need for thermal stability.

[0013] A coffee grinder structure is mentioned in the PCT document with publication number WO2015071242A1. Within the scope of said patent application, there is no mention of choosing a working temperature range at or above ambient temperature to solve the above-mentioned problem. As a result, all the problems mentioned above have made it necessary to make an innovation in the relevant field.

[0014] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention is presented with the object of eliminating the above-mentioned problems and making a technical innovation in the relevant field.

[0016] The main object of the invention is to present the method that affects the change of the distance between the grinder blades in coffee grinders depending on the temperature occurring during operation.

[0017] Another object of the invention is to ensure that the operating temperature of the engine is higher than the ambient temperature, since cooling the grinder with convection solutions will not be equally effective under all conditions, and thus to ensure that the grinding gap between the grinder blades remains constant.

[0018] Another object of the invention is to ensure that the coffee grinder is always kept within a constant temperature range.

[0019] Another object of the invention is to prevent flavor deterioration and aroma loss in coffee beans depending on the heat.

[0020] Another object of the invention is to prevent premature brewing that may occur during grinding due to heat.

[0021] Another object of the invention is to prevent distortions in grinding diameters due to dimensional deviation.

[0022] Another object of the invention is to ensure that the brewing time is optimum. (A large grind of coffee needs to be brewed for a longer period)

[0023] Another object of the invention is to present a drink that is easier for the user to consume than the types of coffee consumed with grounds.

[0024] Another object of the invention is to ensure that the device does not malfunction and has a longer life. Another object of the invention is to ensure that the grinding process is carried out with equal particle sizes within the prescribed blade range by predetermining the operating temperature range.

[0025] Another object of the invention is to provide homogeneous heating spread over the entire volume of the block in cases where the thermal conductivity of the engine body material is not good (depending on the material).

[0026] BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The present invention is an innovation in coffee grinders in order to achieve all the objects mentioned above and which will emerge from the detailed description below.

[0028] In cooling processes that are carried out only by blowing air without heating, it is not possible to drop below the ambient temperature by using only a fan. Therefore, in cases of overheating, the optimum operating temperature of the grinder cannot always be reached no matter how much cooling is done with the fan. Ambient temperature is one of the most basic parameters. In addition, in cooling processes carried out only by blowing air, as the target temperature approaches, the cooling efficiency decreases and there is a need to form Atduring cooling. Using a combination of heating and cooling processes instead of only cooling and choosing a working temperature range that will ensure air cooling at an optimum temperature is a parameter that affects performance. Designing or calibrating the grinder, which is affected by temperature, within said predetermined temperature range provides more efficient operation than a design made only based on ambient temperature.

[0029] The invention is a method that comprises at least one cooling element to provide cooling by determining at least two temperature threshold values and in case the upper temperature threshold is approached or exceeded and allows the grinder to be heated until it reaches the predetermined temperature if it is below the mentioned lower temperature threshold in order to prevent the grinding performance from being affected due to temperature change in grinders driven by an ac asynchronous engine, wherein; it is only possible to heat the engine body with the resulting heat energy by applying voltage to the main winding or one of the auxiliary windings of said engine. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, by cutting off the current passing through the main winding supply line, the supply voltage is applied only to the auxiliary winding and the auxiliary winding is heated through the internal resistance of the auxiliary winding together with the capacitor on the auxiliary winding.

[0030] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the main winding is heated depending on the internal resistance of the main winding by separating the AC voltage from the main winding through at least one contact element and supplying DC voltage through at least one DC voltage source.

[0031] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, operation is controlled depending on temperature with at least one thermostat.

[0032] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, a temperature higher than the operating ambient temperature of the lower temperature threshold is determined.

[0033] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the current going to the main winding is cut off depending on the temperature with at least one thermostatic contactor and voltage is applied only to the auxiliary winding.

[0034] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, DC voltage is applied to the winding by cutting off the AC current going to the main winding, depending on the temperature, with at least one thermostatic contactor.

[0035] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the current going to the windings is controlled by at least one controller depending on the temperature measurement with the temperature sensor.

[0036] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, it is suitable for use in coffee machines that contain grinder in its own structure, where continuous coffee brewing processes take place.

[0037] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the de configuration applied to the main winding in 2 or 3 phase engines can be similarly performed by being applied to one or more windings.

[0038] The scope of protection of the invention is stated in the claims and cannot be limited to what is described in this brief and detailed description for exemplary purposes. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can produce similar embodiments in the light of what is described above, without departing from the main theme of the invention.

[0039] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0040] In Figure 1 , a perspective view of the invention is given.

[0041] In Figure 2, another perspective of the invention is given.

[0042] In Figure 3, it is given a top view of the invention.

[0043] In Figure 4, it is given a lateral section view of the invention.

[0044] In Figure 5A and Figure 5B, schematic drawings describing the operation of the invention are given.

[0045] The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of protection defined in the claims and should not be referred to alone without reference to the technical description in the description of the present invention for the purpose of interpreting the scope defined in said claims. Said drawings are intended to define the invention with clarity.

[0046] DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMBERS IN THE DRAWINGS

[0047] 10. Engine

[0048] 100. Engine supply input

[0049] 11 . Main winding

[0050] 12. Auxiliary winding

[0051] 121 . Capacitor

[0052] 13. Rotor

[0053] 14. Contact element

[0054] 15. Engine body

[0055] 151 . Body cooling fin 152. Engine shaft

[0056] 16. DC voltage source

[0057] 20. Grinder

[0058] 200. Fixed grinding element

[0059] 201 . Movable grinding element

[0060] 202. Distance between grinding elements

[0061] 21 . Chamber

[0062] 22. Grinder shaft

[0063] 23. Adjustment mechanism

[0064] 30. Control box

[0065] 31 . Control card

[0066] 32. Temperature sensor

[0067] 40. Cooling element

[0068] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0069] In this detailed description, the innovation in the coffee grinders (20), which are the subject of the invention, is described only with examples that will not form any limiting effect for a better understanding of the subject.

[0070] The subject of the invention particularly relates to a method that prevents the tolerance of the grinder (20) blades from changing in line with the heat generated due to friction (sourced by the engine (10) and the grinder) in the coffee grinders (20) and ensures grinding at stable sizes.

[0071] The invention provides grinding at optimum sizes by defining the operating temperature of the grinder (20) at a temperature above the ambient temperature in order to improve the cooling performance and by controlling the temperature through the engine (10). In Figure 1 , it is given a perspective drawing showing the coffee grinder (20) of the invention and the engine body (15) to which said grinder (20) is connected. Said grinder (20) is connected to the engine body (15) through at least one flange on its body.

[0072] The grinding blades, which are positioned in a suitable section within the chamber (21 ) of the grinder (20), can be driven by the grinder shaft (22). Said grinder shaft (22) is connected to the engine shaft (152) and the grinding process is carried out with the drive taken from the engine.

[0073] The engine body (15) comprises a body cooling fin (151 ) structure to dissipate the heat generated on it. Said body cooling fin (151 ) is preferably integral with the engine body (15) and consists of cooling protrusions and / or recesses that increase the surface area of the engine body (15).

[0074] In Figure 4, it is given a lateral section drawing of the engine body (15) and the grinder (20). There is at least one cooling element (40) on at least one surface of the engine body (15). Said cooling element (40) helps to cool the engine body (15). As seen in the figure, the grinder (20) comprises at least one fixed grinding element (200) and a movable grinding element (201 ). It comprises a distance (202) between said fixed grinding element (200) and the movable grinding element (201 ), between the grinding elements. The distance mentioned directly affects the grinding size. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the positions of the fixed grinding element (200) and the movable grinding element (201 ) can be replaced with each other.

[0075] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, there is at least one adjustment mechanism (23) associated with the grinder (20). Said adjustment mechanism (23) enables the grinder (20) gap to be adjusted.

[0076] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the cooling element (40) is a component that blows air to the engine body (15). The heat of the engine body (15) is removed by means of this air flow. In the preferred embodiment, the cooling element (40) can be positioned aligned with the body cooling fins (151 ). In the preferred embodiment, said cooling element (40) is a fan.

[0077] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one control box (30) is located on the engine body (15). Preferably, there is at least one control card (31 ) in said control box (30). There is one or more contact elements (14) on said control card (31 ). The electric current going to the windings of the engine (10) can be controlled with said contact elements (14). Control of the cooling element (40) of the invention can be carried out through said control card (31 ) or at least one contact element (14).

[0078] The invention comprises at least one temperature sensor (32). Said temperature sensor (32) is positioned to measure the stator temperature of the engine (10) or the temperature of the engine body (15). Said temperature sensor (32) is a thermostat and if the temperature rises above the reference value, it can operate the cooling element (40) connected to its contacts.

[0079] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, in case that the engine (10) has a temperature above the predefined temperature, at least one controller on the control card (31 ) can detect this temperature with the temperature sensor (32) and operate the cooling element (40).

[0080] Within the scope of the invention, the grinder (20) used is driven by an asynchronous engine fed by AC voltage. Said asynchronous motor comprises a main winding and an auxiliary winding. During the operation of the asynchronous motor, the voltage received from the main winding is applied to the auxiliary (excitation) winding through at least one capacitor. The engine will not rotate when voltage is applied only to the main winding or similarly when voltage is applied only to the auxiliary winding. Nominal current consumption occurs since EMF occurs while the engine is in motion. However, when the motor is not in motion, that is, when voltage is applied to a single winding, it draws a current much higher than the nominal current value. This high current will damage the engine. The voltage tolerance of the auxiliary winding compared to the main winding is ensured by means of its capacitor.

[0081] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least two reference points, namely the lower temperature reference point and the upper temperature reference point, are defined on at least one control element located on the control card (31 ). In case that the upper temperature reference point is reached or exceeded, cooling the engine (10) or the engine body (15) is ensured by operating the cooling element (40). In case that a temperature is measured below the lower temperature reference point, the current going to the main winding (11 ) is interrupted by a relay with at least one contact element (14) and voltage is applied only to the auxiliary winding (12). Heating of the engine body (15) is provided by the resistive load RA, which belongs to the auxiliary winding. In Figure 5A, it is given a representative drawing explaining said configuration. The engine (10) starts to operate under normal conditions with the current passing through the contact element (14) shown as Si. Said current is controlled by the Si host element (14). When the S2 contact element (14) (switch) located on the main winding (11 ) is opened, no current passes through the main winding (11 ), the engine (10) does not work and the current passes only through the auxiliary winding (12). In this way, heat is generated on the auxiliary winding (12) (via the winding resistance RA) and the engine body (15) can be heated with this heat.

[0082] In an example embodiment, when 220VAC voltage is applied to the engine (10), the current is as follows:

[0083] IA= 220 VAC(RA+ XLA+ XCA)

[0084] In this case, a heating power occurs. Heating power can be expressed as follows:

[0085] PA=PAXIA2

[0086] This situation also causes the generation of reactive power.

[0087] However, in case that the reactive power generated is within limits, damage to the auxiliary winding does not occur.

[0088] The advantage of heating processes with AC voltage through the auxiliary winding (12) is that it can be easily integrated into existing systems.

[0089] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the control of the fan, which is the cooling element (40), and the auxiliary winding (12) can be carried out by at least one thermostat. If the temperature is below the determined temperature limit, the thermostat can cut off the current going to the main winding (11 ) by opening / closing it and apply voltage to the auxiliary winding (12) through the capacitor (121 ). Similarly, in case that the temperature is above the upper limit, the cooling element (40) can be controlled with the same or a different thermostat.

[0090] In Figure 5B, it is given a drawing explaining the application used in an alternative embodiment of the invention. In said embodiment, voltage can be applied to the main winding (11 ) of the engine (10) by limiting the current. In this configuration, the applied voltage is DC voltage. Applying DC voltage to the main windings (11 ) of the engine (10) operating with AC voltage can be achieved with at least one contact element (14). In this application, DC positive and ground are applied to the main winding (11 ) through at least one DC voltage source (16).

[0091] For example, in this application, the operation of the engine (10) is ensured by connecting the supply input (100) phases AC_L and AC_N of the engine (10) to the 220VAC line with at least one contact element (14). DC voltage source (16) is switched and the main winding (11 ) of the engine (10) is supplied with DC voltage by changing the position of the contact element (14) that controls said supply inputs (100). Due to the capacitor (121 ) located on the auxiliary winding (11 ), IAcurrent becomes zero and no current passes through the auxiliary winding. Similarly, depending on the voltage being DC, XLMis also 0. In this case, current and power are as follows:

[0092] IM= 220 VACRM

[0093] PM=PMXIM2

[0094] PMis the heating power. The advantage of performing the heating process through the main winding (11 ) with the DC voltage source (16) is that no vibration, noise or reactive power occurs.

[0095] Homogeneous heating of the engine body (15) can be achieved by heating through the main winding or auxiliary winding. Providing a symmetrical distribution of the windings within the engine body (15) affects the heating performance more positively than heating by an external source.

[0096] For example, in one embodiment, the grinder (20) is designed or calibrated so that the tolerance between its blades is optimum in a temperature range such as 30-40°C. In this way, the dimensions of the ground products are standardized. In case that the ambient temperature and the engine body (15) temperature are below the lower limit, the engine (10) is heated and the operating temperature is reached, similarly, in case that the temperature is above the upper limit, the cooling process is carried out by operating the cooling element (40) and the operating temperature of the grinder (20) is ensured to remain within the prescribed range. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a controller is not used on the control card (31 ), and the temperature-dependent current flow is controlled through the contactors of the thermal relay by means of at least one thermal relay. In such a configuration, one or more thermal relays can be used.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method that comprises at least one cooling element (40) by determining at least two temperature threshold values and providing cooling in case the upper temperature threshold is approached or exceeded and enables the grinder (20) to be heated until it reaches the predetermined temperature in case it is below the mentioned lower temperature threshold in order to prevent the grinding performance from being affected due to temperature change in grinders (20) where the moving grinding element is directly connected to the ac asynchronous engine (10) shaft, wherein; it is to ensure that the engine body (15) is heated with the resulting heat energy by applying voltage only to the main winding (11 ) or one of the auxiliary windings (12) of said engine (10).

2. A heating method according to claim 1 , ensuring that the supply voltage is applied only to the auxiliary winding (12) by cutting off the current passing through the supply line of the main winding (11 ) in a single-phase AC asynchronous motor (10) and together with the capacitor (121 ) on the auxiliary winding (12), allowing the auxiliary winding (12) to heat up through its internal resistance.

3. A heating method according to claim 1 , providing heating of the main winding (11 ) depending on the internal resistance of the main winding (11 ) by separating the AC voltage from the main winding(s) (11 ) through at least one contact element (14) and giving DC voltage through at least one DC voltage source (16).

4. A heating method according to claim 1 , providing heating of the windings by applying DC voltage to one or more of the windings in 2 or 3-phase asynchronous engines (10).

5. A heating method according to claim 1 , in which the operation is controlled depending on temperature with at least one thermostat.

6. A heating method according to claim 1 , where the lower temperature threshold is determined at a temperature higher than the operating ambient temperature.

7. A heating method according to claim 2, in which the current going to the main winding (11 ) is cut off depending on the temperature with at least one thermostatic contactor and voltage is applied only to the auxiliary winding (12).

8. A method according to claim 3, in which the AC current going to the main winding (11 ) is cut off and DC voltage is applied to the winding, depending on the temperature, with at least one thermostatic contactor.

9. A method according to claim 2 or 3, in which the current going to the windings is controlled with at least one controller depending on the measurement of the temperature with the temperature sensor (32).

10. A method according to claim 1 , in which the ambient temperature is automatically measured by the controller and the lower temperature threshold and upper temperature threshold are determined above the ambient temperature.

11. A method according to any of the previous claims, suitable for use in coffee machines containing a grinder (20) where continuous coffee brewing processes occur.

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