Coffee grinding machine with burr alignment system and associated method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee grinding machines with flat burrs struggle to achieve consistent and precise particle size due to misalignment of the burrs, leading to variations in powder quality and the inability to produce fine grains required for certain coffee types, such as Turkish coffee.
Innovation Solution
A coffee grinding machine with a shaped coupling mechanism using spherical, conical, or serrated surfaces and deformable elements to align the burrs precisely, ensuring parallel arrangement and stable kinematic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the burrs are aligned precisely using a shaped coupling mechanism, then the particle size consistency and powder quality are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shaped coupling mechanism enables the burrs to self-align through their geometric interaction. The spherical surface on one burr fits into the corresponding recess in the grinder-holder body, automatically orienting the burr in the correct position without requiring external alignment tools or complex adjustment mechanisms. This self-aligning feature improves particle size consistency while avoiding the need for complicated manual alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs spherical surfaces in the coupling mechanism between the burr and the grinder-holder body. The spherical interface allows for precise rotational positioning and alignment of the burr, ensuring that the cutting edges are correctly oriented relative to the grinding burr. This curved surface approach achieves high alignment precision while maintaining a relatively simple structural design.
2Manufacturing precision
If the burrs are made parallel through precise alignment, then the ability to produce fine grains is improved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The shaped coupling mechanism with its spherical interface and corresponding recess allows the burr to self-align and self-position during installation. The user simply needs to insert the burr into the holder body, and the geometric constraints of the spherical coupling automatically ensure correct parallelism and orientation, eliminating the need for complex manual alignment procedures or specialized tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment geometry is pre-built into the coupling mechanism between the burr and the grinder-holder body. The spherical surface and recess are manufactured with precise tolerances during production, so that when the burr is installed, the alignment is already predetermined and built-in. This preliminary preparation of the alignment geometry simplifies the operation for the user while ensuring consistent burr parallelism.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid fixed position is used for the stationary burr, then the stability of the mechanical system is improved, but the alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a spherical coupling interface between the stationary burr and the grinder-holder body. This spherical geometry provides a precise rotational pivot point that maintains stable positioning while allowing for accurate alignment. The curved surface contact ensures consistent orientation of the burr relative to the rotating burr, achieving both stability and precision simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A coffee grinding machine is described, said machine comprising: a first burr; a motor configured to rotate the first burr about a rotation axis; a second burr configured to cooperate with the first burr for grinding coffee beans, wherein the second burr comprises a second surface which, preferably, extends substantially along the outer edge of the second burr, namely in the vicinity of the outer edge of the first burr; a grinder-holder body which can be locked to the second burr, wherein the grinder-holder body comprises a first surface at least partially facing the second surface and cooperating therewith, wherein either one of the first surface and the second surface is a spherical surface, wherein the other one of the first surface and the second surface is a spherical surface, and wherein the first surface and the second surface cooperate with each other so as to suitably orient the first burr with respect to the second burr, before locking the second burr to the grinder-holder body.