Coffee Bean Feed Chute for Fresh Dosing in Automatic Grinders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee bean feeding systems in fully automatic coffee machines lack flexibility and lead to quality loss due to storage issues, as they require large space and are not suitable for high-quality beans sold in smaller quantities.
Innovation Solution
A device with a direct chute connection to the grinding unit, allowing users to choose between beans from a storage container or a dedicated chute for fresh supply, equipped with sensors for precise dosing and automatic grinding initiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If coffee beans are stored in a storage container for multiple brewing processes, then the device can operate for extended periods without refilling, but the coffee beans lose aroma and quality over time
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container is divided into multiple compartments, each dedicated to storing a specific type or batch of coffee beans. This segmentation allows users to store different coffee beans separately and use them in a specific sequence (oldest first), preventing aroma loss by ensuring beans are used before degradation occurs, while still maintaining extended operational duration through the multi-compartment design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a partitioned storage container is used to store different types of coffee beans, then the device gains flexibility in bean selection, but the device requires a large amount of space
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container is designed with multiple compartments that can universally accommodate different types of coffee beans. Each compartment serves the same function (storage) but can hold different bean types, providing versatility without requiring separate storage devices for each bean type. This multi-functional design maintains flexibility while optimizing space utilization within a single container unit.
3Ease of operation
If a pivotable flap or closure element is provided for selection between compartments, then the user can select specific bean types, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container is designed with simple, intuitive access mechanisms such as removable lids or push-open compartments that allow users to easily select and access specific coffee bean compartments without complex closure elements. The design enables self-service operation where users can independently open, select, and close compartments without requiring motorized actuators, controllers, or complex mechanical linkages, thereby maintaining ease of operation while minimizing device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A device for supplying coffee beans to a grinding unit (1), in particular for a fully automatic coffee machine, comprises at least one storage container (4) which can be closed off from the grinding unit (2) via a closure element (6) and from which coffee beans can flow when the closure element ( 6) can be conveyed to the grinding unit (2), with at least one chute (7) for coffee beans, which leads directly to the grinding unit (2) and is provided for receiving coffee beans for one or two brewing portions. This allows the user to choose flexibly whether coffee beans are to be drawn from the storage container (4) or the chute (7).