Coffee Bean Metering Grinder for Compact Strength Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee beverage systems are cumbersome, difficult to assemble, and lack versatility in preparing coffee beverages of varying strength, with inefficient coffee bean supply mechanisms that are not cost-effective or compact.
Innovation Solution
A coffee beverage system featuring a modular design with interchangeable coffee bean packaging cartridges and a metering chamber that allows for precise dosing and grinding of coffee beans, enabling the preparation of coffee beverages of different strengths, with a compact and user-friendly interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a separate bottom plate of the metering chamber and a separate grinder are provided, then the system has sufficient grinding capacity, but the height of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom portion of the metering chamber is merged with the grinder into a single integrated component. The bottom portion forms part of the grinder and rotates around a vertical axis to transport coffee beans from the metering chamber into the grinder and grind them simultaneously, eliminating the need for a separate bottom plate and reducing system height.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom portion of the metering chamber serves multiple functions: it acts as both the bottom closure of the metering chamber and as a rotating grinder component. This multi-functional design allows the same structure to perform both containment and grinding operations, reducing the number of separate components needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If coffee beans are supplied in bulk without dosing control, then the supply mechanism is simple, but the ability to prepare coffee beverages of varying strength is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee bean supply is divided into discrete dosed amounts using a dosing device with a metering chamber. The metering chamber receives a portion of coffee beans corresponding to a dosed amount necessary for preparing a single serving of coffee beverage, allowing precise control over coffee strength while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom portion of the metering chamber is designed to rotate around a vertical axis during the grinding operation. This rotational movement dynamically transports the dosed coffee beans from the metering chamber into the grinder, enabling controlled dosing while using the same mechanical motion for both dosing and grinding preparation.
3Ease of manufacture
If the system uses whole coffee beans, then the package can be closed off simply, but the coffee beans occupy more volume and are harder to grind efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
Coffee beans are pre-divided into fragments before packaging, but not ground. This preliminary fragmentation reduces the volume occupied by coffee beans, improves grinding efficiency, and still allows for relatively simple package closure. The fragments are small enough to slide easily through openings and block the outlet less easily, yet large enough to maintain packageability.
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 versatile, compact, and cost-effective means to prepare coffee beverages of varying strengths by allowing for precise control over coffee bean dosing and grinding, enhancing user convenience and reducing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The bottom portion is arranged in the coffee brewing apparatus for rotating around an axis extending in a vertical direction. Upon activation of the grinder the bottom portion is rotating around the vertical axis for transporting the coffee beans from the metering chamber into the grinder and for grinding the coffee beans.
Implementation Method 2
a grinder for grinding coffee beans which have entered the coffee brewing apparatus via the entrance opening
Implementation Method 3
a brewing device for brewing coffee on the basis of ground coffee obtained by means of the grinder
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
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. T system is further provided with a second coffee bean packaging cartridge including a second dosing device separate from the first dosing device for independently of the coffee brewing apparatus preparing and/or supplying a dose of coffee beans to the entrance opening of the coffee brewing apparatus.