Coffee machine comprising a grinding device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee grinding devices lack the ability to set an absolute, precisely determined grind size, which is crucial for controlling coffee quality and flavor, especially in systems requiring remote monitoring and adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine with a grinding device that includes a control unit coupled to sensors to adjust liquid flow speed, a set of grinding bodies with adjustable clearance, and actuator-driven adjustment means to set a fixed grind size range, ensuring an absolute and precise grind size setting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the adjustable grinding body is reset directly to a predetermined position without reaching an extreme position first, then the adjustment time is reduced, but the setting range may be disrupted by grounds and bean residues between the grinding bodies
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable grinding body is first carried to an extreme position (first or second) where grounds and bean residues are removed from between the grinding bodies, before being reset to the predetermined position. This preliminary action ensures the setting range is not disrupted by residues, guaranteeing reliable and repeatable grind size settings.
2Reliability
If the adjustable grinding body is carried to an extreme position and then reset to a predetermined position, then the grind size setting reliability is improved, but the adjustment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
A control unit controls the actuator to automatically carry the adjustable grinding body to an extreme position and then reset it to a predetermined position based on stored setting data. This automated feedback-controlled process ensures reliable grind size settings while minimizing adjustment time through efficient sequence management.
3Device complexity
If the grinding device allows relative adjustment only from current setting, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to set absolute grind size is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The manual relative adjustment mechanism is replaced with an actuator (electromechanical device) controlled by a control unit. This substitution enables absolute grind size setting by programmatically positioning the adjustable grinding body at predetermined positions, providing both precise control and adaptability without significantly increasing mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The grinding device transitions from relative adjustment (changing clearance from current position) to absolute adjustment (setting clearance to predetermined values). The control unit stores and retrieves specific position parameters, allowing the grind size to be set to exact predetermined values rather than relative changes, enhancing adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity.
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
A grinding device comprises a grinding housing with mutually co-acting grinding bodies. A lower of the two grinding bodies is both driven and axially adjustable for the purpose of setting a grind size. An upper grinding body is removable. A grind size of the grinding device can be adjusted in absolute manner between a first extreme position and a second extreme position, corresponding to a fixed setting range between a minimal clearance between the two grinding surfaces and a maximum clearance between the two grinding surfaces. An extreme position of the adjustable grinding body is imposed by a stop which is encountered by the adjusting means in the relevant extreme position. A coffee machine uses the absolute grind size and/or a fine-tuning for an optimal contact time between coffee and through-flowing water.