Coffee Grinder Feedback Control for Consistent Grind Size
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing espresso machines and fully automatic coffee machines cannot ensure a consistent and reproducible grain size distribution of ground coffee, which affects the infusion time and taste of coffee drinks, due to reliance on grinding disc spacing and non-adjustable variables like bean type and disc wear, requiring manual adjustment by technicians.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a system with a volume-determining portion, mass-determining portion, and calculation portion to measure and calculate the grain size distribution and degree of grinding, using dry- and wet-pressing methods with a pressing element and sensors to determine the density of coffee powder, allowing for automatic adjustment of grinding disc spacing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If grinding disc spacing is adjusted to control grain size distribution, then degree of grinding can be changed, but consistency and reproducibility of grain size distribution deteriorate due to non-adjustable variables like bean type and disc wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated feedback system where the grain size distribution is measured (e.g., via laser diffraction or image analysis), compared against target values, and the grinding disc spacing is automatically adjusted based on the deviation. This closed-loop control compensates for variations in bean type and disc wear, ensuring consistent grain size distribution while maintaining adaptability in degree of grinding.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of grinding parameters through automated measurement and control mechanisms. The machine independently monitors its own grinding output and adjusts the disc spacing without requiring external intervention, thereby maintaining precision despite changing conditions like bean variability and disc wear.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of grinding disc spacing is performed by technicians, then grain size distribution can be adapted to bean type, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects bean type characteristics (through sensors analyzing bean properties) and self-adjusts the grinding disc spacing and other parameters without requiring technician intervention. This eliminates manual adjustment time while maintaining optimal adaptation to different bean types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of bean type before grinding begins and pre-adjusts the grinding parameters accordingly. This preliminary action ensures optimal settings are in place before processing, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual adjustments when changing bean types.
3Ease of operation
If optical assessment or infusion time is used to determine grain size distribution, then measurement can be performed, but precision and reliability of determination deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective optical assessment and indirect infusion time measurement with direct physical measurement methods such as laser diffraction, image analysis, or particle size analyzers. These instruments provide objective, quantitative measurement of grain size distribution with high precision, eliminating the imprecision of manual optical judgment and indirect timing methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback measurement of grain size distribution using precise instrumentation. The measured values are fed back to the control system, enabling real-time monitoring and adjustment. This closed-loop measurement approach ensures high precision and reliability compared to one-time optical or temporal assessments.
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
Enables precise and automatic determination and adaptation of grain size distribution, reducing variability and the need for manual adjustments, ensuring consistent coffee quality and simplifying the process of changing coffee types or disc wear.
Implementation Method 1
a volume-determining portion (4) designed to determine the ground volume of a quantity of coffee powder
Implementation Method 2
a mass-determining portion (5) designed to determine the ground mass of this quantity of coffee powder
Implementation Method 3
designed to compress the defined quantity of coffee powder in the infusion chamber (3) with a predefined pressing force
Implementation Method 4
the grain size distribution and/or the degree of grinding, with the latter being able to be calculated from the ground volume determined with the volume-determining portion (4) and the ground mass of the grinding determined with the mass-determining portion (5)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an espresso machine or a fully automatic coffee machine having a grinder and an infusion device comprising an infuser and an infusion chamber, which is characterized by a volume-determining portion designed to determine the ground volume of a defined quantity of coffee powder ground by means of the grinder, a mass-determining portion designed to determine the ground mass of this quantity of coffee powder, and a calculation portion with which, on the basis of a predefined correlation, which is stored preferably in the calculation portion itself, between the grain size distribution and/or the degree of grinding of ground coffee, on the one hand, and the mass and the volume or a variable derived from these two variables, in particular the density, of ground coffee, on the other hand, there can be calculated from the determined ground volume and from the determined ground mass, the grain size distribution and/or the degree of grinding of this quantity of coffee powder.