Coffee Grinder Weight-Based Roast Level Detection for Brewing Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coffee brewing technologies struggle to accurately characterize coffee roast levels, leading to inconsistent flavor profiles due to varying extraction rates across different roast levels, and there is a need for precise roast level assessment and control in brewing processes.

Innovation Solution

A coffee grinding mechanism equipped with a weight sensor and controller characterizes roast level based on the weight and rate of weight change of coffee grounds during grinding, adjusting grinding and brewing parameters accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If self-identified roast levels from packaging are used, then consumers can choose coffees matching their taste preferences, but the roast level characterization is imprecise leading to inconsistent brewing results

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsumer ability to choose coffeeVSAvoidroast level characterization precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual assessment of roast level with an automated optical sensing system. A sensor detects light transmission through coffee grounds during grinding, and a processor analyzes the light transmission characteristics to objectively determine roast level, eliminating subjective imprecision while maintaining ease of use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary measurement system between the coffee grounds and the brewing process. During grinding, light is transmitted through the grounds to an optical sensor, creating an intermediate measurement of roast level that informs subsequent brewing parameter adjustments, ensuring consistent results across different roast levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If different brewing parameters are used for different roast levels, then optimal extraction can be achieved for each roast level, but the system complexity increases to manage multiple parameter sets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction optimizationVSAvoidbrewing parameter control system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of brewing parameters based on real-time roast level detection. Rather than requiring manual selection from fixed parameter sets, the system continuously monitors light transmission during grinding and automatically adjusts brewing parameters in real-time, maintaining optimization while reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback loop where the optical sensor measures light transmission characteristics during grinding, the processor determines roast level from these measurements, and the system adjusts brewing parameters accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures optimal extraction for each roast level while automating the complexity of parameter management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Quantity of substance

If grinding operation is extended to ensure sufficient coffee grounds, then adequate coffee quantity is achieved, but over-grinding occurs leading to wasted energy and time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoffee grounds quantityVSAvoidgrinding operation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary detection of roast level during the grinding process by measuring light transmission characteristics. This early detection allows the system to determine when sufficient coffee grounds have been produced and to terminate the grinding operation promptly, preventing over-grinding while ensuring adequate quantity is achieved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the coffee grounds themselves as the measurement medium. As grounds are produced during grinding, they automatically serve as the sample for optical detection, eliminating the need for separate sampling steps and enabling real-time monitoring that improves both quantity assurance and operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 characterization of coffee roast level, allowing for optimized brewing parameters to achieve consistent and desired flavor profiles by adjusting grinding and brewing operations.

Implementation Method 1

a weight sensor configured to sense a weight of coffee grounds generated by the coffee grinding mechanism during a grinding operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWeight sensing: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS12569085B2Density-based coffee roast level characterization and/or dynamic coffee grinder control

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 MIDEA GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

A roast level of coffee grounds used in a coffee brewing operation may be characterized based at least in part on one or more weights of the coffee grounds determined during a grinding operation, and in some instances, may be used to determine one or more brewing parameters used in the coffee brewing operation. In addition, in some instances the roast level of the coffee grounds may be determined during a grinding operation and used to control the amount of coffee grounds generated during the grinding operation.