Coffee Grinder Load Cell Dosing for Precise Weight Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current coffee grinders suffer from inadequate precision and constancy in measuring the weight of ground coffee due to indirect calculation methods, which result in heterogeneity and residue issues during the grinding process.
Innovation Solution
A coffee grinder with a load cell and switching unit that measures the weight of ground coffee directly at the filter-holder, allowing for continuous weight control and automatic or manual switching between weight-based and time-based dosing modes, using a reliability assessment and firmware for precise calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If indirect calculation method is used to determine coffee dose weight, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the indirect mechanical calculation method (based on grinding time and speed) with a direct electronic weighing system using a load cell. This substitution enables precise direct measurement of the actual coffee dose weight, eliminating the inaccuracies inherent in indirect calculation while maintaining system simplicity through integrated electronic measurement.
2Ease of operation
If grinding time is used to control dose, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the load cell continuously monitors the actual weight of ground coffee and provides real-time data to the control unit. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically adjust the grinding process to achieve the target dose weight, ensuring consistent precision while maintaining ease of operation through automatic control.
3Measurement precision
If direct weight measurement is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the weighing function (load cell) with the existing coffee grinder structure, integrating the measurement system into the filter holder support mechanism. This consolidation achieves direct weight measurement without adding separate complex weighing components, as the load cell is incorporated into the existing structural framework of the grinder.
4Reliability
If continuous calibration is performed, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs calibration actions preliminarily by establishing the target dose weight and grinding parameters before the actual grinding process. The system pre-configures the optimal grinding time and power settings based on the desired dose, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-grinding calibration adjustments and ensuring reliability from the start of each dosing operation.
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
Achieves high precision and constancy in coffee dosing, maintaining perfect calibration despite external conditions, with the ability to choose parameterized options based on environmental and material variations, ensuring accurate and consistent espresso preparation.
Implementation Method 1
a weighing device housed inside the coffee grinder... the weight control is directly carried out on the individual dosages, by a weighing device housed inside the coffee grinder... measures the weight of ground coffee directly at the filter-holder
Data Source
AI summary
A coffee grinder with a weight device to dose ground coffee includes an electric motor, a grinder group driven by the electric motor and housed inside a grinding chamber, a feed hopper for feeding coffee beans to the grinding chamber, a delivery channel for delivering ground coffee to a support fork of a filter-holder of the ground coffee, a load cell mechanically connected to the fork, and a microprocessor that controls the operation of the motor to determine a desired final dose of ground coffee inside the filter-holder. The microprocessor contains control firmware which, when weighing a new dose of coffee: (a) activates a weighing program that activates the electric motor so that the grinder group grinds the coffee; (b) continuously controls, with the load cell, the detected weight of ground coffee reaching the filter-holder; and (c) shuts the electric motor down when the detected weight reaches a desired value.