Coffee machine equipped with a device for transferring coffee grounds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machines face issues with steam moistening coffee grounds during transfer, leading to clogging and inaccurate grind distribution, and unwanted grounds leakage, resulting in inconsistent coffee quality and dirty machine surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine with a grind transfer device featuring a motor-driven distribution member and an orifice control system that opens and closes to prevent steam entry and uses a detection mechanism to ensure precise grind dispensing, cutting off power once the selected quantity is reached, along with a user interface for selecting coffee strength and quantity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the orifice remains open during transfer, then ground coffee can be dispensed, but steam rises into the transfer system and moistens the grounds causing clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The opening and closing device is activated before the transfer operation to seal the orifice, preventing steam from rising into the transfer system and moistening the grounds. This preliminary sealing action eliminates the cause of clogging before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls the orifice state by moving the opening and closing device between open and closed positions based on operational requirements. The device opens during transfer to allow dispensing and closes during brewing to prevent steam contamination.
2Ease of operation
If the orifice remains open during machine movement, then ground coffee can be accessed, but coffee falls unintentionally into or out of the brewing area soiling the machine
Solution Approach 1:
The opening and closing device is activated before the transfer operation to seal the orifice, preventing ground coffee from falling unintentionally during machine movement or handling. This preliminary sealing prevents soiling and contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening and closing device extracts and isolates the orifice from the external environment during non-transfer periods, preventing unwanted interaction between ground coffee and the external environment that causes leakage and soiling.
3Device complexity
If the transfer device operates without precise control, then dispensing is simple, but the quantity of ground coffee dispensed does not match user selection
Solution Approach 1:
The control system monitors the transfer operation and controls the motor-driven distribution element to dispense the precise quantity of ground coffee selected by the user. The system provides feedback control to ensure the dispensed amount matches the user selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces simple mechanical dispensing with a motor-driven distribution element controlled by an electronic control system. This substitution enables precise control of the ground coffee quantity while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a coffee machine (1) comprising an infusion zone (7), a reservoir (5) for storing ground coffee arranged above the infusion zone (7) and a device for transferring coffee grounds from the storage reservoir (5) to the infusion zone through an opening (14), as well as a control system (40) comprising at least one member (41) for selecting a quantity of coffee grounds to be dispensed, said device for transferring coffee grounds comprising a dispensing member (9) rotated by a motor (12). According to the invention, the device for transferring coffee grounds comprises a member (17) for manipulating a device (16) for opening and closing the opening (14), which can move between an open position and a closed position, the manipulating member (17) being able to move between an activated position, in which the opening and closing device (16) is in the open position, and a rest position in which the opening and closing device (16) is in the closed position, and the control system (40) comprises a detection member (32) for detecting the open position of the opening and closing device (16) and a means (42) for cutting the power to the motor (12) which cuts the power to the motor (12) after the dispensing of the quantity of coffee grounds to be dispensed, the detecting member (32) always detecting the open position.