Coffee Bean Proportioning with Incremental Weighing Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee bean proportioning apparatuses lack precision and reliability in producing consistent mixtures of coffee powder, especially for personalized recipes, due to variability in coffee bean weight and flow rates.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a separator proportioner unit, an incremental weighing unit, and a control card that measures and calculates the weight of coffee beans, allowing for precise control of coffee bean flow to achieve consistent proportions, using a combination of a feed device, a separator transfer member, and a sensor unit to regulate the flow and weight of coffee beans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If coil-type feed systems with electric motors are used to proportion coffee beans, then the apparatus can feed multiple types of coffee beans, but the precision of quantity proportioning deteriorates due to indirect control through motor revs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical coil-type feed systems with a gravity-based feed device that delivers coffee beans through gravity alone, eliminating the need for motor-driven mechanical feeders. This substitution removes the source of imprecision while maintaining the ability to handle multiple coffee bean types through separate feed devices for each type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic coil-type feed systems from the apparatus, keeping only the essential gravity-based feeding mechanism. By taking out the unreliable mechanical feeding component, the system achieves both simplicity and precision in coffee bean proportioning.
2Measurement precision
If separator proportioner unit is used to measure coffee beans individually, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional weighing and control components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an incremental weighing unit that automatically weighs coffee beans as they are fed, with the control card automatically calculating weights and adjusting feed rates. The system serves itself by using real-time weight data to self-regulate the proportioning process, eliminating the need for complex manual measurement mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The control card receives continuous weight signals from the incremental weighing unit and uses this feedback to calculate and adjust the feed rates of different coffee bean types. This closed-loop feedback system ensures precise proportioning while keeping the control logic relatively simple and straightforward.
3Device complexity
If gravity-based feed device is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to variability in coffee bean weight and flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The control card continuously monitors the weight of coffee beans being fed and uses this feedback to adjust the feed device operation. By comparing actual weight measurements against target weights, the system dynamically adjusts feed rates to compensate for variations in individual bean weights and flow rates, ensuring reliable and consistent proportioning despite the simplicity of the gravity-based mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus for the proportioned feed of coffee beans, comprising: - a separator proportioner unit (11) configured to measure out the coffee beans in individual measures; - an incremental weighing unit (13) configured to weigh a quantity of coffee beans proportioned by the separator proportioner unit (11); - a control card (22) configured to receive a weight signal from the incremental weighing unit (13) and to calculate the weight of the proportioned coffee beans.