Coffee Grinder Load Cell Support System to Prevent Impact Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional on-demand coffee grinders with load cells are prone to damage due to accidental impacts and vibrations during use and transportation, leading to inconsistent measurements and potential deformation of the load cell.
Innovation Solution
A coffee grinder with a load cell support system that includes a single-piece support to secure the load cell firmly to the base, preventing excessive deformation, and a safety system with a tab and screw to lock the load cell in position during transportation, ensuring accurate weighing without risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the load cell is made flexible to enable downward bending for measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to vulnerability to excessive deformation from impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a stop mechanism that prevents excessive downward movement of the load cell before damage can occur. This cushioning approach limits the maximum deformation of the load cell during accidental impacts, protecting the sensitive measurement component while allowing sufficient flexibility for normal weighing operations.
2Ease of manufacture
If the base is made thin to reduce weight and complexity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but strength deteriorates as it cannot adequately stop load cell deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the stopping function into separate components: the thin base provides structural support while dedicated stop elements (such as stop members or mechanical limits) provide the deformation limitation. This segmentation allows the base to remain simple and easy to manufacture while the specialized stop components handle the strength requirement for preventing load cell damage.
3Productivity
If the bracket is quickly movable to enable fast dosing operation, then productivity is improved, but object-affected harmful factors worsen due to increased risk of accidental impacts on the load cell
Solution Approach 1:
The stop mechanism is pre-configured to limit the bracket's downward movement before an accidental impact can damage the load cell. This allows the bracket to move quickly for normal dosing operations while the stop provides beforehand protection against harmful impacts during loading or transportation.
4Reliability
If the load cell is locked during transportation to prevent damage, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to additional locking steps
Solution Approach 1:
The stop mechanism provides automatic protection during transportation without requiring active user intervention. The mechanical stop is always in position to prevent excessive load cell movement, eliminating the need for separate locking actions while maintaining reliability during transport.
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 solution effectively prevents damage to the load cell during use and transportation, maintaining measurement accuracy and extending the lifespan of the device while ensuring consistent coffee dosing.
Implementation Method 1
The load cell (5) has a front portion (51) suitable for bending downwards in the gap (G) to measure the weight of the coffee fed into the filter (40)
Data Source
AI summary
A coffee grinder includes a load cell fixed to a bracket for measuring the weight of coffee powder contained in the filter of a filter holder arranged in a seat of the bracket. The load cell has rear and front portions attached to the bracket, and a holder attached to a base, wherein the load cell is mounted on the support, so that the rear portion of the load cell is attached to the rear portion of the support, and the front portion of the load cell is spaced away from the front portion of the support to leave a gap between the front portion of the support and the front portion of the load cell. The width of the gap is such to allow for a downward bending of the front portion of the load cell that is lower than a maximum load limit of the load cell.