Coffee Grinder Dosing System Using Post-Cycle Weight Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee grinding machines with weight-based dosing systems are slow and sensitive, often requiring continuous weight measurement and adjustment, leading to inaccuracies and increased risk of incorrect dosages due to external disturbances.
Innovation Solution
A coffee grinding machine that measures the weight of the ground coffee only at the end of the grinding cycle, using this measurement to set parameters for the next dose, allowing for constant speed or number of revolutions, and interrupting the grinding process based on pre-set parameters rather than real-time weight measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If continuous weight measurement and adjustment is used during grinding, then dosing precision is improved, but grinding speed decreases and sensitivity to external disturbances increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-sets grinding parameters (time, number of revolutions) based on coffee type and desired dose before grinding begins. The motor controller is programmed with these parameters in advance, allowing the grinding process to proceed at constant speed without real-time weight-based interruptions, thus maintaining both precision and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the weighing device to automatically adjust grinding parameters for subsequent doses. The weighing device measures the actual dose delivered, and this information feeds back to the controller to refine future grinding cycles, improving precision without requiring continuous monitoring during each grind.
2Measurement precision
If continuous weight measurement is used during grinding, then dosing accuracy is improved, but stability decreases due to sensitivity to external disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
Grinding parameters are determined and set before the grinding process begins, based on the selected coffee type and desired dose. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for continuous weight measurement during grinding, making the system immune to external disturbances such as vibrations or accidental knocks that would affect real-time weighing.
Solution Approach 2:
The weighing function is extracted from the grinding process itself and performed separately after grinding is complete. The weighing device measures the dose after the portafilter is filled, separating the measurement function from the grinding operation to eliminate interference from external disturbances during the critical grinding phase.
3Measurement precision
If grinding parameters are adjusted in real-time based on weight measurement, then dosing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is pre-programmed with grinding parameters (time, number of revolutions, motor speed) for different coffee types and dose requirements. This preliminary configuration simplifies the control system by eliminating the need for complex real-time calculation and adjustment mechanisms, while still achieving precise dosing through the predetermined parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves dosing precision by changing discrete parameters (grinding time, number of revolutions, motor speed) that are selected based on the desired dose and coffee type, rather than using continuous real-time adjustment. This approach simplifies the control logic while maintaining accuracy through well-defined parameter sets.
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 approach results in a faster, more stable, and less sensitive dosing process, reducing the impact of external disturbances and allowing for precise control of coffee dosage without continuous weight monitoring, ensuring consistent espresso preparation.
Implementation Method 1
a weighing device (60) configured to measure the weight of said first dose of coffee substantially at the end of said first grinding cycle
Data Source
AI summary
A coffee grinding machine is described, said machine comprising a first grinder and a second grinder cooperating with each other based on a first grinding parameter for grinding coffee beans, thus obtaining a first dose of ground coffee during a first grinding cycle, wherein the coffee grinding machine also comprises a weighing device configured to measure the weight of said first dose of coffee substantially at the end of said first grinding cycle, wherein said weight measurement of said first dose measured at the end of said first grinding cycle is used to set a second grinding parameter of a second dose, ground after the first dose during a second grinding cycle. The coffee grinding machine is configured to interrupt the grinding of said second dose during said second grinding cycle in a manner not dependent on an actual weight measurement of said second dose.