Cereal Mill Diamond-Coated Millstone for Clog-Free Grinding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Natural millstones in grain mills become clogged over time, leading to inconsistent grinding quality and difficulty in cleaning, which affects the grinding result.

Innovation Solution

The use of a diamond or sapphire-coated millstone, preferably with a thickness of less than 3 mm and roughness between 10 µm and 100 µm, ensures easy cleaning and consistent grinding quality by providing a self-cleaning surface and fine grinding capability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a natural millstone is used, then the grinding function is provided, but the pores become clogged over time leading to inconsistent quality and cleaning difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrinding quality consistencyVSAvoidcleaning ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the surface parameters of the millstone by applying a diamond or sapphire coating with specific roughness (10-100 μm) and thickness (less than 3 mm), transforming the natural porous surface into a controlled, non-porous coated surface that prevents clogging while maintaining grinding effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining a natural or artificial millstone base with a diamond or sapphire coating layer, creating a multi-layer material system that combines the grinding capability of the base with the self-cleaning and consistency properties of the coating

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a natural millstone is used, then the grinding function is provided, but the millstone is difficult to clean

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrinding functionVSAvoidcleaning ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The diamond or sapphire coating provides self-cleaning properties through its specific surface roughness (10-100 μm), which prevents material from adhering to the surface, allowing the millstone to maintain itself without extensive cleaning intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a diamond or sapphire coating is applied, then consistent grinding quality and easy cleaning are achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrinding quality consistencyVSAvoidproduction simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention specifies precise parameter ranges for the coating (roughness: 10-100 μm, thickness: less than 3 mm) that balance manufacturing feasibility with performance requirements, enabling consistent quality without excessive manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 diamond or sapphire coating maintains a consistent grinding result and prevents contamination of the ground material due to its durability and controlled roughness, enhancing the grinding efficiency and cleanliness of the mill.

Implementation Method 1

the diamond or sapphire layer has a roughness between 10 μm and 100 μm, whereby a particularly fine grinding result can be achieved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface roughness control:

Implementation Method 2

a motor which drives a rotor is arranged on the base part, wherein the grain mill has an annular millstone... the motor generates an air stream by means of which the grain introduced into the housing is accelerated in rotation against the millstone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir stream generation:

Implementation Method 3

the motor generates an air stream by means of which the grain introduced into the housing is accelerated in rotation against the millstone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational acceleration:

Data Source

PatentEP4252909B1Cereal mill
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 UNTERWEGER EDELSTAHL MASCHINENBAU GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4252909B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4252909B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4252909B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a grain mill (10) with a housing (20) having a longitudinal axis (1G), which has a wall (21), a bottom part (22) and a lid part (23), wherein an inlet opening (24) is arranged in the lid part (23), wherein a motor (30) is arranged on the bottom part (22) which drives a rotor (40), and wherein the grain mill (10) has an annular millstone (50), wherein the millstone (50) has at least a section of a diamond or sapphire layer (52).