An 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 failed grinder or produce varied beverages.
Innovation Solution
The coffee machine features two equidistantly connected grinders that can be selectively or simultaneously activated, allowing for multiple coffee blends and grain sizes, with a conveying system that maintains filter-holder functionality and enables the use of soluble substances, ensuring continuous operation and diverse beverage options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If only one grinder is provided per infusion assembly, then the device complexity is reduced, but the coffee blend variety per infusion group is limited to one
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the coffee preparation function into multiple independent grinders (first grinder and second grinder), each capable of processing different coffee beans. This segmentation allows each infusion group to access multiple coffee blends simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between blend variety and device complexity by making the grinders modular and independently controllable.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying means is designed to receive ground coffee from either the first grinder or the second grinder (or both simultaneously), making it a universal component that can handle multiple coffee sources. This multi-functionality allows a single conveying system to serve multiple coffee blend options, increasing adaptability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two infusion assemblies with two grinders are provided, then two different coffee blends can be made, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the coffee grinding functions of two separate infusion assemblies into a single infusion group by providing two grinders that both supply the same conveying means. This consolidation allows multiple coffee blends to be available at one infusion group without duplicating the entire infusion assembly, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining blend variety.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of expanding horizontally by adding more infusion assemblies, the system expands vertically by adding multiple grinders to a single infusion group. This dimensional shift allows multiple coffee blends to be accessed through one infusion assembly, reducing overall system complexity while achieving the same level of coffee variety.
3Reliability
If a single grinder is used, then the device is simpler, but the grinder suffers more wear and requires more frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee grinding function is segmented into two independent grinders, each handling specific coffee beans or blends. This segmentation distributes the operational load and wear across two grinders instead of concentrating it on one, thereby extending the operational lifespan of each grinder while maintaining system simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to allow individual grinders to be replaced independently when worn, while the other grinder continues to operate. This selective replacement strategy reduces downtime and extends the overall system reliability, as not all grinders need to be replaced simultaneously, effectively managing wear and resource recovery.
4Reliability
If one grinder fails, then the machine cannot operate with that grinder, but having redundant grinders increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a second grinder as a preventive measure against grinder failure. This redundancy cushions against potential failures by ensuring that if one grinder becomes inoperative, the other can continue to supply ground coffee through the same conveying means, maintaining system operational continuity without requiring complex backup systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying means is designed with universal capability to receive ground coffee from either grinder, making the system flexible and adaptable to grinder failures. This multi-functionality allows the conveying system to switch between different grinder sources, ensuring continuous operation while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through a shared conveying infrastructure.
5Adaptability or versatility
If the filter-holder is removed when changing coffee blends, then the machine can accommodate different blends, but the filter-holder cannot be maintained inside the machine continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the coffee blend selection function from the filter-holder removal action. By providing two grinders that can be selectively activated, the system allows coffee blend changes without requiring filter-holder removal, as the blend selection is achieved by choosing which grinder to operate rather than by physically removing and reinserting the filter-holder.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces dynamic selection of coffee blends through selective activation of grinders rather than static filter-holder removal. The conveying means can dynamically switch between receiving ground coffee from the first grinder or the second grinder, allowing continuous filter-holder presence while achieving blend variety through dynamic grinder selection.
Data Source
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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.