Coffee Dosing Block With Vibration for Consistent Grounds Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fully automatic coffee brewing machines face issues with coffee bean freshness, inadequate grind size for espresso, and inconsistent dosing, leading to suboptimal beverage quality.
Innovation Solution
A coffee dosing system featuring a gas-impermeable container with nitrogen to preserve freshness, a dosing block with sliding plate and reverse taper coupling to ensure consistent coffee flow, and vibrating arms to facilitate smooth dispensing, preventing bridging and ensuring repeatable doses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If coffee beans are stored in a hopper for extended periods, then the machine can operate continuously without frequent refilling, but the coffee beans lose freshness and go stale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies an inert atmosphere by filling the coffee storage hopper with nitrogen gas. This inert environment prevents oxidation and moisture absorption, thereby preserving coffee freshness during extended storage periods without requiring frequent refilling. The nitrogen atmosphere eliminates the harmful effect of oxygen exposure that causes staleness.
2Extent of automation
If a standard grinder is used in automatic brewing machines, then the machine can operate automatically without manual intervention, but the grinder cannot provide sufficiently fine grind for espresso quality beverages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamically adjustable grinding system where the grinder settings can be changed automatically based on the selected beverage type. The control system adjusts grinding parameters (such as burr distance or screen size) to achieve different grind fineness levels, enabling both automatic operation and espresso-quality fine grinding without manual intervention.
3Productivity
If coffee grounds are dispensed through a simple opening, then the dosing mechanism is simple and fast, but the grounds tend to clog and provide inconsistent dosing amounts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a vibration mechanism that applies oscillatory motion to the coffee grounds during the dosing process. This vibration prevents clogging by keeping the grounds loose and flowing smoothly through the dispensing opening, while also ensuring consistent dosing amounts by maintaining uniform flow rates throughout the dispensing cycle.
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 system maintains coffee freshness for up to a year, provides precise grind size adjustments, and ensures consistent dosing, enhancing the quality and efficiency of brewed beverages.
Implementation Method 1
The material source may include a source of ground coffee positioned within a gas impermeable container. The material source may include nitrogen therein.
Implementation Method 2
The coupling includes a reverse taper expanding in the direction of the dosing block.
Implementation Method 3
The dosing system further may include a vibration system. The vibration system may include a pair of arms positioned about the material source.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The present application describes a material dosing system. The material dosing system may include a material source (110) and a dosing block (130). The dosing block (130) may include a first aperture (150) positioned on a first side and a second aperture (170) positioned on a second side. The dosing block (130) further may include a sliding plate (180) positioned between the first side and the second side and having a dosing aperture (190) movable between the first aperture (150) and the second aperture (170) . A coupling (200) may connect the material source (110) and the first aperture (150) of the dosing block (130) .