A grinding-dosing machine with a dosing device for ground coffee
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee grinding and dosing technologies face inaccuracies in dosing due to volume-based control, which can be affected by the degree of grinding, uneven coffee distribution, density variations, and wear in the grinder, leading to inconsistent coffee doses.
Innovation Solution
A grinding-dosing machine with a dosing device that uses a load cell to measure the mass of ground coffee accurately by suspending the dispensing conduit, allowing for precise dosing without needing to account for the mass of the filter holder, and featuring a closure member and electronic control unit to automate the grinding process based on preset mass values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If volume-based control is used to measure ground coffee, then the dosing process is simple, but the dosing accuracy deteriorates due to density variations and uneven distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical volume-based measurement system with an electronic weighing system using a load cell. The load cell directly measures the mass of ground coffee, eliminating the need for volume measurement and associated errors from density variations and uneven distribution. This substitution maintains operational simplicity while dramatically improving dosing accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If time-based control is used to determine coffee dose, then the grinding process is easy to control, but the dosing accuracy deteriorates due to grinder wear and variable grinding speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the time-based control mechanism with a real-time mass measurement system using a load cell. Instead of relying on predetermined grinding times that are affected by grinder wear and speed variations, the system continuously monitors the actual mass of ground coffee produced, providing accurate dosing control regardless of grinding conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the load cell supports the filter holder for weighing, then the weighing function is integrated, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to the need to subtract filter holder mass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the filter holder from the weighing process by having the load cell support only the dispensing conduit and coffee dose. The filter holder is placed on the cup holder separately, eliminating the need to measure and subtract its mass. This separation ensures that the load cell measures only the relevant coffee mass with maximum precision.
4Ease of operation
If the load cell is exposed to impacts during filter holder placement, then the operation is convenient, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential damage to the load cell
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the filter holder placement operation from the weighing system's support structure. The filter holder is placed on a separate cup holder rather than on the load cell, eliminating impact risks to the load cell while maintaining operational convenience. The load cell is reserved exclusively for precise coffee mass measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides beforehand protection for the load cell by designing a separate support structure (cup holder) for the filter holder. This preventive design eliminates the risk of impact damage before it can occur, ensuring the load cell's reliability and longevity while maintaining ease of operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures accurate and reliable dosing of ground coffee by measuring the net mass of coffee, reducing errors caused by volume-based or time-based controls, and providing improved impact protection for the load cell, resulting in consistent coffee doses.
Implementation Method 1
a load cell having a first free end portion connected to the main body for supporting in suspension the main body, the load cell being configured to measure the weight of the ground coffee built up in the dispensing conduit
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A grinding-dosing machine with a dosing device (3) for ground coffee, adapted to be fixed to a coffee grinder (2) to form a grinding-dosing machine (1), comprises a main body (5), having a dispensing conduit (51) which is configured to receive ground coffee from a coffee grinding device (2), and discharge it by gravity into a filter holder (4), and a closure element (54) which can close the conduit and allow ground coffee to build up in the conduit (51). A bending beam load cell (6) has a first end portion (61) connected to the main body (5) and a second end portion (62) attached to the coffee grinding device (2). Thus the load cell (6) will support the main body (5) which hangs therefrom, and measure the weight of the ground coffee built up in the conduit (51).