Dual-Bean Coffee Dosing Chamber for Residue-Free Grinding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fully automatic coffee machines face challenges in automating the selection of different bean containers for the grinding unit and ensuring single-variety portioning of beans, leading to residual coffee issues and inconsistent flavor due to manual operation and dead volumes.
Innovation Solution
A dosing chamber with a constant volume is used, moveable and positionable by a drive unit, allowing for precise control of bean dosing volume based on the entry position and properties of the beans, ensuring accurate measurement and complete grinding without residue, with detection means for maintaining consistent ground coffee output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual operation of a switch is used to select between bean containers, then the device structure remains simple, but automation is limited and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses detection means (sensors, cameras, or RFID readers) to automatically identify and select the appropriate bean container based on its properties, eliminating the need for manual switch operation. The control unit processes the detected information and autonomously controls the conveying means to transfer beans from the correct container, enabling the system to serve itself without human intervention while maintaining relatively simple structural additions.
2Manufacturing precision
If beans are conveyed directly from bean containers to the grinding unit, then the process is simple, but dead volumes occur and single-variety portioning cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying system is segmented into distinct functional components: a dosing chamber for precise portioning, conveying means for transport, and a grinding unit for processing. The dosing chamber acts as an intermediate segment that receives beans from selected containers, precisely measures the required amount, and then conveys only that portion to the grinding unit. This segmentation eliminates dead volumes by ensuring complete transfer of the dosed portion and enables accurate single-variety portioning through the controlled intermediate step.
3Manufacturing precision
If the dosing chamber volume is variable, then flexible dosing is possible, but manufacturing precision and consistency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the physical volume of the dosing chamber, the system changes the position parameter of the dosing chamber along the longitudinal axis. The dosing chamber is moved to different entry positions relative to the bean container outlets, and the dosing volume is determined by the chamber's fixed geometry combined with its position. This parameter change approach (position rather than volume) maintains dosing consistency through the fixed chamber design while achieving flexibility through programmable position adjustments controlled by the control unit.
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 solution enables precise automation of bean selection and grinding, minimizing residual volumes and flavor inconsistencies, resulting in improved taste quality and reduced maintenance through accurate dosing and efficient processing.
Implementation Method 1
discharge means for emptying the dosing chamber to the grinding unit, which cause gravitational discharge in a discharge position of the dosing chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
The coffee machine has a housing (10) with two bean containers for holding coffee beans. A grinding unit is arranged downstream of bean containers, for selectively grinding beans supplied from two bean containers. The dosing units (16,18) are operated by a drive unit (28) so as to fill a metering chamber with coffee beans stored in bean containers. A dosing discharge unit (30) is arranged in direction different from entry position of dosing units for discharging the coffee beans from metering chamber to grinding unit. : An independent claim is included for method for operating coffee machine. USE : Coffee machine. ADVANTAGE : The coffee machine can be operated easily in simple manner while improving flavor and quality of coffee. Since dosing units are operated by drive unit, the filling of metering chamber with coffee beans can be controlled reliably. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS : The drawing shows the schematic view of the coffee machine. 10 : Housing 16,18 : Dosing units 28 : Drive unit 30 : Dosing discharge unit 44 : Discharge passage.