Coffee Grinder Grinding-Time Control Using Previous-Batch Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machine technologies face challenges in accurately and efficiently controlling the quantity of coffee powder due to manufacturing tolerances, wear, and frequent adjustments, leading to time delays and imprecise brewing results.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines a characteristic value of coffee powder from a previous brewing process, incorporates a target value for the next process, and adjusts the grinding time based on setting parameters, using a map table to account for grinder throughput changes, enabling precise and rapid control of coffee powder quantity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the amount of ground coffee is determined by weighing before and after brewing, then the brewing quality can be controlled, but the manufacturing complexity increases and time delay occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical weighing system with an optical measurement system. A light source illuminates the ground coffee in the brewing chamber, and a sensor detects the light absorption or reflection properties. This optical method substitutes the complex mechanical weighing mechanism, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining measurement capability for controlling the amount of ground coffee.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of directly measuring the physical mass of ground coffee, the patent creates an optical signature or characteristic of the coffee powder bed. The light interaction properties (absorption, reflection) serve as a copy or representation of the coffee amount, which can be measured without physical contact or complex weighing mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If the amount of ground coffee is determined by weighing before and after brewing, then the brewing quality can be controlled, but time delay occurs due to recording requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the measurement of ground coffee amount immediately after grinding and before brewing begins. The optical sensor measures the coffee powder bed characteristics in the brewing chamber right after the grinder deposits the ground coffee. This preliminary measurement eliminates the time delay associated with post-brewing weighing and recording, allowing real-time adjustment of brewing parameters based on the actual amount of ground coffee.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the grinder setting is adjusted frequently, then the brewing quality can be optimized, but the accuracy of powder quantity determination decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic measurement and control system that adapts to changing grinder settings in real-time. The optical sensor continuously or frequently measures the coffee powder bed characteristics, and the control system adjusts brewing parameters dynamically based on the measured amount of ground coffee. This dynamic approach maintains measurement precision even when grinder settings change frequently, unlike static weighing methods that require recalibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where the optical measurement of ground coffee amount is fed back to the control system, which then adjusts brewing parameters accordingly. When the grinder setting changes, the system measures the actual coffee amount deposited and uses this feedback information to optimize brewing conditions, maintaining accuracy despite frequent setting changes.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling the amount of coffee powder in a coffee machine (1) with an adjustable grinder (2), comprising the steps: a) determining or obtaining a characteristic value of the amount of coffee powder ground with the grinder (2) in a previous brewing process, in particular a directly preceding brewing process, b) determining or obtaining a target value for a target amount of coffee powder required for a subsequent brewing process, c) setting a grinding time for the subsequent brewing process, and d) controlling the grinder for the grinding time set in step c), wherein an adjustment parameter of the adjustable grinder (2) is determined or obtained in both step a) and step c), and wherein in step c) the characteristic value from step a), the target value from step b), and the adjustment parameter influence the setting of the grinding time.The invention also relates to a coffee machine (1) with a correspondingly programmed control device (5) and a corresponding computer program product comprising corresponding commands.