Coffee Bean Metering Chamber With Integrated Grinder for Compact Brewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee beverage systems are often large, cumbersome, and expensive, with inefficiencies in bean handling and grinding, particularly in compact designs that require multiple components for grinding and brewing.
Innovation Solution
A compact coffee beverage system featuring a coffee bean packaging cartridge with a built-in grinder and brewing device, utilizing a metering chamber with a rotating bottom portion for efficient bean transportation and grinding, and a snap connection mechanism for easy assembly, along with a control device for precise dosing and brewing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a separate bottom plate and separate grinder are provided, then the system can perform grinding and brewing functions, but the height of the system increases and becomes less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom plate of the metering chamber is merged with the grinder assembly into a single integrated component. The bottom plate includes a conical portion that forms part of the grinder, eliminating the need for a separate bottom plate and separate grinder components. This integration reduces the overall height of the system while maintaining both metering and grinding functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom plate serves multiple functions: it acts as the base of the metering chamber, forms the conical portion of the grinder, and includes an opening that serves as both the metering chamber outlet and grinder inlet. This multi-functionality allows the system to perform metering and grinding operations with a single integrated component, reducing system complexity and height.
2Duration of action of moving object
If coffee beans are supplied in large containers (1-3 kg), then the system can operate for extended periods, but the system becomes larger and less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee bean supply system is segmented into a removable metering chamber that can be detached and replaced. The metering chamber holds a smaller quantity of coffee beans (sufficient for one or more brewing cycles) and can be quickly swapped out when empty, eliminating the need for a large fixed container while maintaining operational duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static large container to a dynamic removable metering chamber that can be quickly replaced. The metering chamber is designed to be easily detachable and reattachable, allowing the system to maintain compact size while achieving extended operational duration through rapid component replacement.
3Ease of repair
If a removable metering chamber is used, then the system becomes more compact and easier to maintain, but the complexity of the removable connection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism between the metering chamber and brewing apparatus is merged with the grinder assembly. The bottom plate of the metering chamber forms an integral part of the grinder, and the connection involves aligning the metering chamber outlet with the grinder inlet. This integration simplifies the connection mechanism while maintaining ease of removal and reattachment for maintenance purposes.
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
The system provides a compact, cost-effective, and user-friendly solution for preparing coffee, ensuring efficient bean dosing and grinding while maintaining a compact design, allowing for easy operation and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The metering chamber comprises a bottom portion which forms a part of the grinder and which is arranged in the coffee apparatus for rotating around an axis extending in a vertical direction
Implementation Method 2
a grinder for grinding coffee beans which have entered the coffee apparatus via the entrance opening
Data Source
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AI summary
A coffee beverage system is described including a coffee bean packaging cartridge and a coffee brewing apparatus. The coffee beans packaging cartridge includes a container holding coffee beans and transportation means adapted for enabling transportation of the coffee beans towards an exit opening of the cartridge. The coffee apparatus comprises a grinder for grinding the coffee beans from the cartridge and a brewing device for brewing coffee on the basis of ground coffee obtained by means of the grinder. The system is further provided with a metering chamber for receiving coffee beans which are transported with the aid of the transportation means into the metering chamber. In use the metering chamber will hold a predetermined amount of coffee beans. The metering chamber comprises a bottom portion which forms a part of the grinder, said bottom portion being arranged in the coffee apparatus for rotating around an axis extending in a vertical direction.