Method for operating a coffee machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coffee machines with grinders face challenges in maintaining consistent coffee quality due to deviations in electrical voltage, which affect the amount of ground coffee, leading to variations in the quality of prepared coffee drinks, especially when connected to unstable power supplies.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining the dependency between electrical voltage and the amount of ground coffee during a preliminary operation and adjusting the grinding time based on this relationship to ensure the target amount is achieved, compensating for voltage fluctuations by calculating the grinding operating time using the difference between nominal and load voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the grinder operates at a fixed predetermined time to provide ground coffee, then the operation is simple and reproducible, but voltage fluctuations cause deviations in the amount of ground coffee leading to quality variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the grinder operating time based on detected voltage levels. The control device modifies the temporal parameter (grinding duration) in response to voltage fluctuations, ensuring consistent ground coffee quantity despite electrical supply variations. This resolves the contradiction by dynamically adapting the operation time parameter to maintain manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the electrical voltage supplied to the grinder and using this information to adjust the grinding operating time. The control device receives voltage feedback and automatically compensates for deviations by modifying the grinder operation duration, thereby maintaining consistent ground coffee quantity without requiring complex mechanical adjustments.
2Reliability
If the grinder operating time is adjusted to compensate for voltage deviations, then ground coffee quantity consistency is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the electrical voltage supplied to the grinder and automatically adjusting the grinding operating time based on detected voltage deviations. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable and reproducible coffee quality by compensating for voltage fluctuations without requiring complex manual intervention or mechanical adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces potential mechanical adjustment systems with an electrical control solution. Instead of using mechanical mechanisms to adjust grinder parameters, the invention uses electronic voltage monitoring and electronic control of the grinder motor duration, simplifying the overall system while improving reliability through precise electrical parameter management.
3Manufacturing precision
If a preliminary test is performed to determine the voltage dependency relationship, then grinding precision under varying voltage is improved, but the preparation time before operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a calibration process during the manufacturing or setup phase to establish the relationship between voltage levels and optimal grinding duration. This preliminary characterization of the grinder's voltage dependency enables the control device to automatically compensate for voltage fluctuations during normal operation without requiring real-time adjustments or extended preparation time before each use.
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
This approach ensures consistent and reproducible coffee quality by accurately determining the grinding time based on voltage variations, reducing deviations in coffee quality even with unstable mains supplies and internal electrical fluctuations in the coffee machine.
Implementation Method 1
a motor (M) that is designed to generate a predetermined rotational speed when a predetermined electrical voltage is applied thereto
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for operating a coffee machine (1) which has an electrically operated grinder (3). Improved quality of the coffee beverages prepared with the coffee machine (1), particularly in a reproducible manner, results from taking into account the dependence of the amount of ground coffee supplied by the grinder (3) on the electrical voltage applied to the grinder (3). The invention further relates to a coffee machine (1) with a control unit (14) which is configured for operating the coffee machine (1) in this manner.