Coffee Grinder-Doser with Flexible Closure for Complete Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grinder-dosers for roasted coffee beans face challenges in dispensing coffee with varying particle sizes and doses, particularly in single-shot mode, where the compacting member can prevent complete emptying of the grinding chamber, leading to incomplete coffee dispensing and increased costs due to the need for multiple grinders for different coffee types.
Innovation Solution
A grinder-doser design featuring a compacting member with a sliding block and flexible closure element that adjusts to allow coffee to flow based on thrust pressure, enabling uniform grinding and dispensing of different particle sizes and doses using the same device in both classical and single-shot modes, without the need for multiple grinders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a compacting member is used to reduce electrostatic charge and provide uniform outflow of ground coffee, then the uniformity and flow of ground coffee are improved, but the grinding chamber and downstream conduits cannot be completely emptied
Solution Approach 1:
The compacting member is segmented into multiple sections with varying degrees of compaction. The first section provides strong compaction for uniform outflow, while the second section provides weaker compaction that allows complete emptying of the grinding chamber and conduits, thus resolving the contradiction between uniformity and complete dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the compacting member have different local qualities - the first section has higher compaction density to ensure uniform outflow, while the second section has lower compaction density to facilitate complete emptying. This local variation in compaction quality allows the compacting member to simultaneously achieve both uniform dispensing and complete chamber emptying.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple grinders are used to dispense different types of coffee with different particle sizes, then the versatility of the device is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The grinder-doser employs dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow a single grinder to adapt its operation in real-time. The grinding speed, duration, and intensity can be dynamically modified based on the selected coffee type, enabling one grinder to produce different particle sizes suitable for espresso, American coffee, and other beverage types without requiring multiple fixed grinders.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as grinding speed, grinding time, and grinder spacing to produce different particle sizes from a single grinder. By adjusting these parameters according to the selected beverage type, the device achieves versatility in dispensing different coffee types while maintaining a simple single-grinder configuration.
3Loss of substance
If the grinding time is increased to ensure complete dispensing in classical mode, then the complete emptying of coffee is improved, but the productivity and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the grinding time and compaction strength based on the operating mode and selected coffee type. In classical mode with pre-dosed coffee, the grinding time is optimized to match the required dose, avoiding excessive grinding. In single-shot mode, the system extends grinding and uses dual-section compaction to ensure complete emptying, thus optimizing productivity for each specific scenario rather than using a fixed conservative time for all cases.
Data Source
AI summary
A grinder-doser may include: grinding members configured to receive and grind coffee beans and configured to deliver ground coffee into a dispensing conduit; a compacting member including a dispensing opening aligned with the dispensing conduit; a slide guide; and a sliding block configured to slide along the slide guide for selectively superimposing a first or second opening to the dispensing opening, allowing the ground coffee to move from the dispensing conduit to the dispensing opening via the first or second opening. The first opening may be reversibly closed by a closure element. The closure element may include a flexible sheet. The closure element may be configured to allow the ground coffee to move from the dispensing conduit to the dispensing opening as a thrust limit value exerted by the ground coffee on the closure element is exceeded. Thrust exerted by the ground coffee may cause the closure element to bend.