Coffee Grinding-Dosing Machine with Weight-Based Dose Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coffee grinding-dosing machines often result in inaccurate dosing of coffee grounds due to factors like agglomeration of coffee beans, wear of the grinder, and variations in grinding time, leading to inconsistent beverage quality and requiring time-consuming calibration.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that use a weight sensor to measure the actual weight of coffee grounds in a dispensing conduit, allowing for automatic adjustment of grinding time based on the measured weight to ensure accurate dosing, eliminating the need for manual calibration and reducing downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If grinding time is used to control coffee dose, then the dosing process is simple and fast, but the dosing precision deteriorates due to agglomeration, wear, and variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical timing-based dosing system with an electronic/weighing-based system. A weighing device measures the actual weight of coffee grounds in real-time during grinding, and a control unit adjusts the grinding time dynamically to achieve the target dose, substituting mechanical timing with electronic control and measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the weighing device continuously monitors the coffee grounds weight, compares it with the target dose, and the control unit adjusts the grinding operation accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures accurate dosing while maintaining efficient operation
2Manufacturing precision
If manual calibration is performed to correct dosing errors, then dosing accuracy can be improved, but the loss of time increases due to calibration procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic self-calibration through the weighing device and control unit, which continuously monitor and adjust dosing parameters without requiring manual intervention. The microprocessor-based control system automatically compensates for variations in coffee characteristics, grinder wear, and other factors, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for time-consuming manual calibration by baristas
3Manufacturing precision
If a load cell is used to measure coffee grounds weight, then dosing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases and the load cell is vulnerable to damage from impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the weighing device to measure coffee grounds weight before the grounds are discharged into the portafilter. This preliminary measurement allows the system to detect weight variations and adjust grinding time accordingly, preventing the need for complex post-measurement compensation mechanisms and simplifying the overall system design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a closure member that temporarily retains coffee grounds in the dispensing conduit during weighing. This intermediary mechanism allows the weighing device to measure the grounds weight accurately without being exposed to impacts from portafilter placement, protecting the load cell while maintaining measurement precision
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 provides precise control over coffee grounds dispensing, ensuring consistent beverage quality by automatically adjusting the grinding time to match the target dose, reducing errors and streamlining the preparation process.
Implementation Method 1
a weight sensor (6) which is configured to generate measurement signals representative of an actual weight value of coffee grounds built-up in the dispensing conduit when the closure member (54) is in the closed position
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and a machine of controlling dispensing of doses of coffee grounds, the machine comprising a grinding device (2) which is configured to grind coffee beans, a conduit (51), having an inlet (52) in communication with the grinding device for receiving coffee grounds, and an outlet (53), a closure member (54) which is adapted to be removed between an open position for the coffee grounds to be discharged from the conduit through the outlet (53), and a closed position for closing the outlet, and a coffee grounds weight sensor (6), which is configured to generate signals representative of the weight of coffee grounds built-up in the dispensing conduit when the closure member is in the closed position.