Bean grinding apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bean grinding apparatuses face challenges in achieving a vertical grind flow path without ground collection and in efficiently driving a rotationally driven inner burr, while also dealing with static charge issues in fine ground particles.
Innovation Solution
A bean grinding apparatus with a design featuring a rotationally driven inner burr and a non-driven outer burr, where the exit spout is angled relative to the burr's rotational axis, and a grounds directing element with curved fingers to guide grounds into the flow path, along with a wooden grounds collector platform to reduce static charge, and an adjustable outer burr mechanism to control grind size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the exit spout is positioned vertically below the burrs, then the grounds flow path is vertical and free from collection areas, but the drive motor cannot be mounted close to the burr
Solution Approach 1:
The exit spout is positioned asymmetrically relative to the burr assembly, specifically angled at 45 degrees from the vertical axis. This asymmetric positioning allows the motor to be mounted in the space created by the offset, enabling close coupling of the motor to the burr while maintaining an efficient vertical grind flow path through strategic grounding element placement
2Productivity
If concentrically arranged burrs are used with one burr driven relative to the other, then grinding efficiency is improved, but ground collection areas are created where grounds can be trapped
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful ground collection areas are eliminated by extracting the traditional horizontal grind chamber design and replacing it with a vertical grind flow path. The exit spout extends downwardly from the burrs, creating a continuous vertical flow path that prevents grounds from collecting in horizontal cavities, thereby removing the trapping problem while preserving concentric burr grinding efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The grind flow path is transitioned from a horizontal dimension to a vertical dimension. By extending the exit spout downwardly and positioning it to receive grounds directly from the burrs in a vertical orientation, the design creates a three-dimensional flow path that eliminates two-dimensional collection areas where grounds could accumulate and be trapped
3Device complexity
If the rotational axis and exit spout longitudinal axis are both angled with respect to the vertical plane, then the burrs can be driven from below with the motor close to the burr, but the grind flow path may not be vertical
Solution Approach 1:
The exit spout is positioned asymmetrically at a 45-degree angle from the vertical axis, creating an offset that allows the motor to be mounted close to the burr assembly from below. This asymmetric configuration enables the motor-burr coupling while the vertical extension of the spout maintains an efficient vertical grind flow path
Solution Approach 2:
The design utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by angling the exit spout axis and rotational axis with respect to the vertical plane. This multi-dimensional positioning allows the motor to be positioned optimally close to the burr while the vertical component of the spout maintains an effective vertical grind flow path through the grounds directing element
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
The apparatus ensures a consistent grind size, minimizes static charge issues, and maintains the burrs' alignment, resulting in efficient coffee bean grinding with reduced electrostatic interference and improved operational control.
Implementation Method 1
a bearing journals the shaft for rotation about the rotational axis
Implementation Method 2
the grounds directing element includes one or more fingers which sweep the grounds into the grounds flow path
Implementation Method 3
a wooden grounds collector platform to reduce static charge
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A bean grinding apparatus (1) comprising a body (2); grinding burrs mounted in the body, the burrs comprising a non-driven burr (4) and a rotationally driven burr (3), the rotationally driven burr having a rotational axis (A) about which it rotates; a drive motor (23) operatively coupled to the rotationally driven burr (3); a grounds flow path defined within the body; and an exit spout (64), the exit spout having an inlet (65) in communication with the grounds flow path and an outlet (84), wherein the exit spout defines a longitudinal axis and the longitudinal axis of the exit spout (64) is angled with respect to the rotational axis (A) of the driven burr.