Grinder, grinding disk for a grinder, and coffee machine having a grinder of this type
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee grinders in coffee machines, whether disc or cone types, face issues with reduced cutting performance due to screw holes and accumulation of ground coffee, which impairs efficiency and cleanliness.
Innovation Solution
A grinder design featuring a central positive locking mechanism between the grinding disk and carrier, eliminating screw holes and ensuring a smooth, torque-transmitting connection that prevents coffee powder accumulation, allowing for identical grinding disk designs and easy assembly/maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If screw holes are used to secure grinding discs to carriers, then the grinding discs can be firmly attached, but the cutting performance is reduced and coffee grounds accumulate in these areas
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the harmful screw holes from the grinding disc design. Instead of using screw holes to attach the grinding disc to the carrier, the patent employs a peripheral attachment mechanism where the grinding disc is secured at its outer edge, completely eliminating openings in the grinding surface that would trap coffee grounds and reduce cutting performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of needing attachment holes into a benefit by designing a peripheral attachment system. The attachment mechanism is moved to the outer periphery of the grinding disc, transforming the attachment requirement from a harmful central hole configuration into a beneficial edge-mounted system that preserves the entire grinding surface.
2Reliability
If screw holes are used to mount grinding discs, then secure attachment is achieved, but coffee grounds build up and cannot be completely dispensed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the attachment function from the grinding surface area and relocates it to the peripheral region. By using a peripheral attachment mechanism with lugs or protrusions at the outer edge of the grinding disc, the design eliminates any openings in the grinding surface where coffee grounds could accumulate, ensuring complete dispensing of ground coffee.
3Reliability
If a bayonet lock with elongated interrupted protrusions is used, then the grinding disc can be secured against rotation, but the connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the rotation security function from a complex bayonet lock mechanism and implements it through a simpler peripheral attachment system. The grinding disc is secured against rotation by positioning it on the carrier with peripheral lugs that engage with corresponding features on the carrier, eliminating the need for interrupted protrusions and plug-and-turn movements.
4Productivity
If a continuous shaft-hub connection is used for torque transmission, then large drive torques can be transmitted without disruptive geometries, but the design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the attachment and torque transmission functions into a single integrated peripheral connection system. The continuous shaft-hub connection combines the carrier's drive shaft directly with the grinding disc's hub at the periphery, creating a unified structure that simultaneously secures the disc and transmits torque efficiently without requiring separate attachment and drive mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a grinder (1) for grinding coffee beans, comprising: a first grinding disk carrier (M1) having a first grinding disk (2); a second grinding disk carrier (M2) having a second grinding disk (3); and a drive unit (4), by means of which at least one of the two grinding disks (2, 3) is rotatably operated. At least the grinding disk (3) of the two grinding disks (2, 3) that is rotatably operated by means of the drive unit (4) is directly or indirectly coupled to the drive unit (4) by means of a central interlocking connection, said central interlocking connection being in the form of a continuous shaft-hub connection for direct torque transfer from the drive unit (4) directly or indirectly to the grinding disk (2, 3). The invention further relates to a grinding disk (2, 3) and a coffee machine.