Automatic coffee machine for preparing espresso coffee
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automatic coffee machines are limited to producing only one or two coffee blends per infusion group, leading to reduced flexibility and increased downtime due to grinder wear, and lack the ability to function with a redundant grinder in case of failure.
Innovation Solution
The coffee machine incorporates two grinders actuated by opposite motors, allowing for multiple coffee blends and grain sizes, with the option to use a soluble dispenser for varied beverages, and maintaining the filter-holder during blend changes, ensuring flexibility and reduced downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If only one grinder is provided per infusion assembly, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability decreases and downtime increases due to grinder wear and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee machine is divided into multiple independent infusion assemblies (first and second infusion assemblies), each with its own grinder. This segmentation allows one grinder to operate while another is replaced or maintained, ensuring continuous operation and reducing downtime due to grinder wear or failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a system where grinders can be independently replaced without shutting down the entire machine. When one grinder reaches its service life or fails, it can be discarded and replaced while the other grinder continues to supply coffee powder, thereby recovering operational capacity and minimizing interruption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If only one coffee blend is used per machine, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The machine is segmented into multiple infusion assemblies, each capable of holding different coffee beans. This allows each assembly to be dedicated to a specific coffee blend type (e.g., espresso, cappuccino, latte), enabling the machine to prepare multiple different coffee beverages simultaneously without requiring complex reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
Each infusion assembly is designed as a universal unit that can be configured for different coffee types by simply changing the coffee beans in the container, rather than requiring dedicated hardware for each beverage type. This multi-functional design increases adaptability while keeping the overall system relatively simple.
3Manufacturing precision
If a single grinder is used for multiple coffee blends, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of grind size control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different grinders are assigned to different infusion assemblies, allowing each grinder to be optimized for specific coffee types and grind sizes. For example, one grinder can be calibrated for fine espresso powder while another is optimized for coarser cappuccino powder, maintaining high precision for each beverage type without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms in a single grinder.
Data Source
AI summary
The automatic coffee machine for preparing espresso coffee comprises at least one; infusion assembly (1) having an infusion piston (2) that can be actuated by motorized means (3), at least one container containing coffee beans to be ground, grinding means (4, 5) to grind the beans for preparing doses of ground coffee, conveying means to convey the doses of ground coffee into a filter-holder element (7) arranged under the piston, the grinding means (4, 5) comprising a first and a second grinder that are actuated by a first and a second opposite motor (8, 9) arranged laterally to the infusion piston.