Roasting and grinding system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee preparation systems lack the ability to produce different coffee blends on demand by mixing various coffee types and do not offer full automation for producing freshly roasted and ground coffee.
Innovation Solution
A roasting and grinding system that includes raw containers for green coffee beans, a roasting unit that automatically adjusts roasting parameters, a conservation area for storing roasted coffee, and a grinding area with units that adapt grinding parameters, allowing for the preparation of different coffee blends on demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pre-set roasting and grinding parameters are used, then the system is simple to operate, but the ability to produce different coffee blends on demand is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic identification of coffee bean types and self-adjustment of roasting and grinding parameters without requiring user intervention. The control unit automatically detects the coffee type and configures the optimal parameters for roasting and grinding, allowing the system to serve itself while maintaining both ease of operation and adaptability to different coffee blends
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic identification and detection mechanisms that provide feedback about the coffee bean type to the control unit. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically adjust roasting and grinding parameters based on the detected coffee type, resolving the contradiction between simple operation and blend versatility
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of roasting and grinding parameters is allowed, then different coffee blends can be produced, but the preparation time becomes too long and parameter accuracy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes optimal roasting and grinding parameter profiles for different coffee bean types. When a coffee type is identified, the control unit immediately retrieves and applies the pre-configured parameters, eliminating the time-consuming manual adjustment process while maintaining the ability to produce different coffee blends
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic parameter adjustment system performs the parameter selection and configuration task itself without requiring user input. The control unit automatically determines the optimal parameters based on the detected coffee type and applies them immediately, significantly reducing preparation time while maintaining blend versatility
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual parameter adjustment is provided, then coffee blend customization is possible, but consumers often set incorrect parameters resulting in low quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for consumer parameter adjustment by implementing automatic parameter setting based on coffee bean type identification. The control unit itself performs the parameter configuration task, ensuring that optimal, pre-determined parameters are always applied regardless of consumer expertise, thereby maintaining both customization capability and parameter accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic identification and parameter adjustment system creates a closed-loop feedback mechanism where the detected coffee type directly determines the applied parameters. This eliminates human error in parameter setting while maintaining the ability to customize different coffee blends, as each type receives its optically-determined parameter profile
4Device complexity
If individual roasting and grinding operations are performed successively for each ration, then the system is simple in structure, but the ability to produce different coffee blends by mixing coffee types is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it identifies coffee bean types, determines optimal roasting parameters, determines optimal grinding parameters, and coordinates the mixing of different coffee types. This multi-functional control system enables blend production without requiring separate dedicated systems for each function, maintaining structural simplicity while achieving versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the roasting, grinding, and blending operations under a single integrated control unit that coordinates all functions. By combining these operations and their control functions into one unified system, the patent achieves the ability to produce different coffee blends without significantly increasing overall system complexity
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 enables the production of high-quality, freshly roasted and ground coffee blends on demand, providing flexibility and consistency while minimizing consumer intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a roasting unit receiving green coffee beans from one or more of the raw containers at the time, the roasting unit adapting automatically the roasting parameters to the type of green coffee beans to roast; the roasting parameters being one or a combination of: air temperature, bean temperature, time
Implementation Method 2
a conservation area where the roasted coffee is stored at appropriate atmosphere until it is grinded
Implementation Method 3
a grinding area comprising one or more grinding units one per type of coffee to be grinded, adapting automatically the grinding parameters to the type of coffee or coffee mix to be grinded, the grinding parameters being one or a combination of: grinding size, grinding time
Data Source
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AI summary
A roasting and grinding system (100) for preparing and delivering on demand roast and ground coffee, the system comprising: one or more raw containers (10, 10', 10", etc.) comprising green coffee beans of the same or of different types; a roasting unit (20) receiving green coffee beans from one or more of the raw containers (10, 10', 10", etc.) at the time, the roasting unit (20) adapting automatically the roasting parameters to the type of green coffee beans to roast; a conservation area (30) where the roasted coffee is stored at appropriate atmosphere until it is grinded; a grinding area (40) comprising one or more grinding units (41, 41', 41", etc.) one per type of coffee to be ground, adapting automatically the grinding parameters to the type of coffee or coffee mix to be ground. The invention further relates to a raw container (10, 10', 10", etc.) comprising green coffee beans detachably connectable to a roasting and grinding system (100), and to a method for roasting and grinding coffee blends on demand using such a system.