Milling system for grinding grain and grinding apparatus that incorporates it

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional coffee grinding systems experience increased temperature due to friction, leading to milling disc dilation and poor grinding quality, necessitating complex cooling systems that increase cost and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A milling system with integrated air impeller elements that utilize the discs' rotation to create a cooling airflow, directly cooling the milling discs without additional components, maintaining optimal temperature and grinding quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the rotation speed of milling discs is increased to improve productivity, then the grinding efficiency increases, but the temperature of milling discs increases due to friction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrinding efficiencyVSAvoidmilling disc temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful friction heat into a beneficial cooling mechanism by using the rotational motion itself to drive air flow through the milling discs. The centrifugal force generated by rotation creates a pressure difference that draws cooling air through openings in the disc structure, transforming the harmful thermal effect into a driving force for the cooling system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The milling disc system performs its own cooling function without external auxiliary systems. The rotation of the discs automatically generates the air flow needed for cooling through the integrated openings and channels in the disc structure, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for separate cooling devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Temperature

If auxiliary cooling systems are added to maintain milling disc temperature, then the temperature control improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemilling disc temperatureVSAvoidcooling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling function is merged with the existing milling disc structure by integrating openings and air flow channels directly into the disc design. This combines the grinding and cooling functions into a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate auxiliary cooling systems and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own operational motion (rotation) to provide the cooling function, eliminating the need for external cooling devices such as fans, pumps, or heat exchangers. The milling discs self-regulate their temperature through the built-in air flow paths that are activated by their own rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If auxiliary cooling systems are installed to maintain optimal temperature, then the grinding quality improves, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrinding qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling functionality is combined with the milling disc structure itself through integrated openings and air channels. This merging of functions allows the system to achieve temperature control without additional manufacturing steps for separate cooling components, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining grinding quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the harmful friction heat into a beneficial driving force for air flow through the disc openings. This approach eliminates the need for expensive external cooling equipment while maintaining optimal operating temperature and grinding quality, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

Maintains milling disc temperature at optimal levels, preventing dilation and ensuring consistent grinding performance without additional equipment, thus improving productivity and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

an air impeller element, forming a part coaxial with the disc with ejector blades, having a structure with multiple vanes or blades appreciably radial to said axis of rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpeller: Impeller

Implementation Method 2

the rotation of the air impeller element... will create a forced air flow towards the upper part of the system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 3

allowing the passage of air... by action of the vanes... reaching... cooling the set of milling discs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 4

This grain breakage action during the rotation of the milling discs, which is typically performed above 1400 rpm, creates a friction and consequent increase in the milling disc temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 5

the portions of coffee grain, as they are broken up and due to centrifugal force displace towards the outer perimeter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3944795B1Milling system for grinding grain and grinding apparatus that incorporates it
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 CUNILL SANCHEZ D JOEL
  • EP3944795B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2
  • EP3944795B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4
  • EP3944795B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a milling system for grinding grain that allows avoiding the undesired increase in temperature of the milling discs above the optimum operating values, in its action of grinding grain that is made to pass through these milling discs. The invention has a ventilation system integrated in the grain milling system by means of openings and blades that create a forced circulation of cooling air of the set of milling discs in their operation without the need to incorporate additional elements or systems that are expensive to install.