Coffee Compressor Flap Angle Control via Dynamic Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compressor arrangements for ground coffee are complex, expensive, and prone to failure due to the arrangement of measuring devices at the outlet opening, which complicates bulk density regulation and fails to compensate for sudden fluctuations in coffee quantity, leading to potential overload damage.

Innovation Solution

A compressor arrangement with a mechanical dynamic pressure adjustment device using a worm gear and transmission system, where the second drive device is connected to a flapper shaft, allowing automatic adjustment of the storage flap's opening angle in response to dynamic pressure changes, eliminating the need for a measuring device at the outlet and enabling simple presetting of bulk density.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a measuring device is arranged at the outlet opening to control bulk density, then bulk density regulation is possible, but the arrangement becomes complicated, expensive, and prone to failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebulk density regulationVSAvoidarrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the measuring device from the outlet opening area entirely. Instead, it uses a mechanical adjustment mechanism where a damper can be manually or automatically positioned to control the outlet opening angle, thereby regulating bulk density without requiring complex measurement equipment at the outlet.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The compressor arrangement uses its own mechanical components (damper, gearbox, drive device) to automatically regulate bulk density based on the compression process itself, without needing external measuring devices. The system self-adjusts through the mechanical linkage between the drive device and the damper position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If a measuring device is arranged at the outlet opening, then bulk density can be monitored, but the system fails to compensate for sudden fluctuations in coffee quantity, leading to overload damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebulk density measurementVSAvoidoverload protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a mechanical adjustment mechanism that can compensate for fluctuations in coffee quantity before they cause overload damage. The damper's adjustable position allows the system to pre-adjust the outlet opening to accommodate variations in material flow, preventing sudden overloads on the drive device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The damper position is made dynamically adjustable through the gearbox and drive device connection. This allows the outlet opening angle to be modified in response to changing compression conditions and coffee quantity fluctuations, providing adaptive protection against overload while maintaining reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the flap is preset at a specific angle, then bulk density can be controlled, but the system cannot adapt to pressure changes or quantity fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebulk density controlVSAvoidpressure compensation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the flap angle dynamically adjustable through the connection between the drive device and the flap shaft. Instead of a fixed preset angle, the system can modify the outlet opening angle in response to pressure changes and quantity fluctuations, combining precise bulk density control with adaptive pressure compensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical connection between the drive device and the flap creates a feedback mechanism where changes in compression pressure or coffee quantity are reflected in the drive device operation, which in turn adjusts the flap position to maintain optimal bulk density while compensating for pressure variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

This solution provides a cost-effective and reliable method to automatically adjust the bulk density of ground coffee, compensating for fluctuations in coffee quantity and preventing overload damage, while simplifying the design and reducing maintenance costs by eliminating the need for an outlet opening measuring device.

Implementation Method 1

the gearbox housing part is assigned a defined weight that enables the presetting of the desired opening angle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

the gearbox is a worm gear comprising a worm shaft and a worm wheel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWorm Drive: Worm Drive

Data Source

PatentEP3140109B1Compressor arrangement for automatic compressing of ground coffee
Publication Date: 2022.02.09 PROBAT WERKE VON GIMBORN MASCHFAB GMBH
  • EP3140109B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3140109B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a compressor arrangement for automatic compressing of ground coffee having a first housing (4) which has an inlet and outlet opening (12, 14), wherein there are conveying and compressing elements in the housing (4) which are drivable by means of at least one first drive device, wherein the outlet opening (14) has a storage flap (16) which serves to adjust the bulk density of the ground coffee, wherein there is an adjustment device (20) via which a preadjustment of the bulk density can be adjusted, wherein the adjustment device (20) has a second drive device (22) which is operatively connected to a transmission (28) which is operatively connected to a storage flap shaft (18) on which the storage flap (16) is arranged such that the transmission (28) has means (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) which enable a limiting of the opening angle of the storage flap (16) and wherein there is an automatic dynamic pressure adjustment apparatus (10, 40, 42) which, in the case of a higher or lower dynamic pressure being exerted on the storage flap (16), enables an enlarging or reducing of the preset opening angle.