Coaxial Grinder And Centrifugal Brewer With Single-Motor Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fully automatic coffee machines are complex and costly due to the need for separate drives and gear trains for the centrifugation chamber and grinder, as well as separate water pumping systems, which complicates their design and increases production costs.
Innovation Solution
A fully automatic coffee machine design that uses a stationary grinding tool and a rotatable grinder container with a frictional coupling, allowing both the centrifugation chamber and grinder to be driven by the same motor at the same speed, eliminating the need for separate drives and gear trains, and incorporates a centrifugal pump driven by the same motor for water distribution, simplifying the structure and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate drives and gear trains are used for the centrifugation chamber and grinder, then each component can be driven independently, but the device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drive systems by using a single motor to drive both the grinder and centrifugation chamber through a common drive shaft. The grinder rotor and centrifugation chamber are both coupled to the same motor, eliminating the need for separate drives and gear trains. This merging of drive systems reduces device complexity and production cost while maintaining coordinated operation of both components.
2Device complexity
If a permanent coupling is used between the upper part of the chamber and the grinder, then the construction is simpler, but the components cannot be operated separately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic coupling system where the grinder rotor is mounted on the drive shaft in a manner that allows it to be freely positioned and coupled or decoupled as needed. The grinder rotor can be mounted directly on the drive shaft for permanent coupling, or positioned such that it can be easily removed or disengaged. This dynamic mounting arrangement allows the system to switch between simple construction mode and versatile operation mode.
3Device complexity
If the grinder is arranged above the centrifugation chamber with direct gravity feed, then the structure is simpler, but the material flow control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the material flow path by introducing a feed chute that divides the gravity-fed material flow into controlled portions. The feed chute is positioned to receive ground coffee from the grinder and direct it into the centrifugation chamber in a controlled manner. This segmentation allows the simple gravity feed structure to maintain ease of operation by properly controlling material flow distribution.
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 design results in a more compact, cost-effective coffee machine with reduced mechanical complexity, as all components can be driven by a single motor, and separate drives and controls for the grinder, pump, and centrifugation chamber are omitted, leading to lower production costs and a simpler structure.
Implementation Method 1
A coupling provides a frictional connection between the upper part of the chamber and the grinder
Implementation Method 2
a centrifugation chamber with an upper part and a lower part that can be moved axially relative to it as a brewing chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
A fully automatic coffee machine for household purposes with a centrifugal chamber (10) with a chamber upper part (12) and a chamber lower part (14) movable relative to it as a brewing chamber, with a motor for driving the centrifugal chamber (10), with a grinder (20) which is arranged coaxially to and above the centrifugal chamber (10) and can be driven by the motor, is further developed by a rigid coupling between the chamber upper part (12) and the grinder (20).