Grinding and extraction apparatus for coffee beans
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fully automatic coffee machines compromise on quality and convenience due to fixed grind settings and lack of adjustment for different coffee beans, requiring specific skills and single-serve packaging.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising main-devices that communicate via accessory-devices, using AI to adjust parameters for grinding and extraction, allowing flexibility in coffee preparation without single-serve packaging and eliminating the need for specific skills.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fully automatic machines are used to simplify extraction steps, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to fixed grind settings that cannot be adjusted for different coffee beans
Solution Approach 1:
The grinder is made dynamically adjustable by the user for each beverage type, allowing the grind size to be changed on-demand rather than being fixed. This enables the machine to adapt to different coffee beans and beverage requirements while maintaining ease of automatic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing of grinding parameters (grind size, grind speed) based on the selected beverage type and coffee bean characteristics. The control unit stores multiple grind settings that can be selected and applied automatically, resolving the contradiction between automatic operation and precision grinding.
2Ease of operation
If fully automatic machines group all functions in a single machine, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases making the machine bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed as a multi-functional system that can perform different coffee preparation methods (espresso, filter coffee, etc.) using a single integrated machine. The control unit manages multiple functions and coordinates the grinder, water system, and extraction mechanisms to work together, providing universal functionality without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The machine performs self-service through automatic dosing, grinding, and extraction processes controlled by a microprocessor. The system automatically measures coffee quantity, adjusts grind settings, and manages the brewing process, reducing the need for manual intervention while maintaining a compact design.
3Manufacturing precision
If the grinder is adjustable to get the right grind size, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates as the machine requires skilled adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control unit automatically selects and applies the appropriate grind settings based on the selected beverage type and coffee bean characteristics. This eliminates the need for manual adjustment by the user while maintaining precise grind control, resolving the contradiction between precision and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit stores pre-configured grind settings for different beverage types and coffee beans. When a user selects a beverage, the system automatically retrieves and applies the appropriate grind parameters in advance, eliminating the need for real-time manual adjustment while ensuring precise grinding.
4Device complexity
If the machine uses fixed grind settings for all beverages, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates affecting coffee quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables dynamic parameter changes by storing multiple grind settings in the control unit. The grind size, grind speed, and other parameters can be automatically adjusted based on the selected beverage type and coffee bean characteristics, maintaining precision without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The grinder is designed to be dynamically adjustable with multiple pre-configured settings that can be automatically selected by the control unit. This allows the system to adapt grind parameters for different beverages while maintaining a relatively simple device architecture, resolving the contradiction between complexity and precision.
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
The system achieves high-quality coffee beverages similar to those from capsule systems without single-serve packaging, offering flexibility and convenience by using AI to optimize grinding and extraction processes.
Implementation Method 1
a grinding device (60) configured for receiving the roasted coffee beans and for delivering a determined quantity of grinded coffee into the product holder
Implementation Method 2
an extraction device (70) configured for receiving the product holder with the grinded coffee and for preparing a coffee beverage according to the beverage information
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a grinding and extraction apparatus for roasted coffee beans comprising a grinding device (60) and an associated extraction device (70); the grinding device (60) comprising one or more housings for receiving one or more beans containers (10, 20) with roasted coffee beans of the same or different types; the grinding device (60) comprising a control unit configured to adapt the grinding size and the quantity of roasted coffee beans for obtaining a certain coffee blend from each beans container to be grinded according to these product parameters and/or according to a recipes database (64) comprising the beverage information associated to the beverage to be prepared; the grinding device (60) further comprising an encoder (62) to encode the beverage information on programmable identification means (65) on a product holder (61) in the grinding device (60), to where the grinded coffee is sent; the extraction device (70) being configured for receiving the product holder (61) and comprising reading means (72) to identify the beverage information in the said product holder identification means (65), the extraction device (70) further comprising a control unit to extract the beverage according to the beverage information retrieved and/or from the beverage information retrieved from a beverage database in this control unit. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for grinding roasted coffee beans and preparing a beverage from them using a grinding and extraction apparatus as the one described, and also refers to the use of a grinding and extraction apparatus as the one described for delivering a certain beverage from roasted coffee beans.