Coffee Grinder Ejector Disc Layout to Prevent Grounds Jamming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee bean grinders in fully automatic coffee machines face issues with ground coffee accumulation and discharge, as it collects inside the ejector wings and is difficult to eject radially, leading to inefficient emptying and potential jamming.
Innovation Solution
The design features ejector blades that extend radially inward, eliminating dead spaces and improving the ejector function by extending over the entire radial section, with a conical edge and reduced number of blades, ensuring efficient coffee discharge and reduced jamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ejector blades are arranged radially outward from the edge extending in the circumferential direction, then the ejector function is improved, but ground coffee accumulates in the concave edge region and between the ejector blades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the radially outer end of each ejector blade radially inward relative to the edge, rather than radially outward. This inversion eliminates the concave edge region that causes coffee accumulation, allowing the ejector blades to effectively clear the entire radial section without creating dead spaces where ground coffee can accumulate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a circumferential offset dimension by arranging the radially inner end of each ejector blade offset in the circumferential direction by at least 5° from the radially outer end. This dimensional change ensures that adjacent ejector blades do not align radially, preventing ground coffee from accumulating between the blades and improving the overall ejector function.
2Device complexity
If the number of ejector blades is reduced, then the device complexity is reduced, but the entrainment function is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the ejector blades, specifically the circumferential offset angle of at least 5° between the radially outer and inner ends. This parameter change allows each blade to cover a larger effective area and improve entrainment efficiency, compensating for the reduced number of blades and maintaining productivity while simplifying the device.
3Quantity of substance
If ejector blades extend to the edge delimiting the seating surface, then dead space is eliminated, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments each ejector blade into two distinct ends with different radial positions: the radially outer end positioned radially inward of the edge, and the radially inner end offset circumferentially by at least 5°. This segmentation allows the blade to effectively cover the entire radial section and eliminate dead spaces while providing manufacturing tolerances that are more achievable than requiring all blades to extend precisely to the edge.
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 design enhances the ejection of ground coffee by eliminating storage spaces and improving the entrainment function, allowing for complete emptying of the grinder and preventing coffee powder jamming, ensuring smooth operation and efficient coffee preparation.
Implementation Method 1
an ejector disc (driver disk) with an upper side and an underside spaced apart along the axis of rotation and with which ground coffee can be discharged from the grinder
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of circumferentially spaced ejector blades are arranged... The ejector vanes extend in the radial direction inwards... with an ejector vane upper side extending from a radially outer end to a radially inner end
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a coffee bean grinder for a coffee preparation device for grinding coffee beans into ground coffee, having a first and a second grinding element which can be rotated relative to one another about an axis of rotation (D) by means of a drive, in particular an electric motor, and having an upper side (2) and a ejector disc (1) having an underside (3) spaced from it along the axis of rotation (D), with which ground coffee can be discharged from the coffee bean grinder, the first grinding element being seated on an upper, end-side seating surface (6) of the ejector disc (1), which is delimited radially on the outside by an edge (7) extending in the circumferential direction, and wherein the ejector disc (1) has one radially outward, preferably starting from the edge (7) extending in the circumferential direction, up to an outer circumferential edge (11) of the Ejector disc (1) has a sloping edge region (8) on which a plurality of circumferentially spaced ejection wings (10) are arranged,