Grinding System Fill-Level Detection for Beverage Substrate Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation systems struggle to accurately determine the amount of ground substrate due to variations in weight, density, and grinding degree, leading to potential overfilling and contamination, especially with manual filling methods.
Innovation Solution
A grinding system equipped with sensor means, such as a light barrier, to detect the fill level of substrate flour in the receptacle, ensuring precise measurement independent of weight or density, and adjust grinding degree based on beverage type and intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If weight-based measurement is used to determine substrate amount, then measurement is simple, but it cannot compensate for variations in substrate weight, density, and grinding degree leading to overfilling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces weight-based mechanical measurement with a light barrier optical measurement system. The light barrier detects substrate flour level by measuring light transmission, substituting the mechanical weighing approach with an optical detection method that is insensitive to substrate density and weight variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light barrier as an intermediary measurement medium between the substrate flour and the detection system. The light barrier interacts with the substrate flour to provide measurement information without requiring direct contact or weight-based measurement, enabling precise level detection independent of substrate properties.
2Device complexity
If manual filling with substrate dosing spoons is used, then device complexity is reduced, but overfilling risk increases due to user discretion and incorrect handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the light barrier continuously monitors the substrate flour level in the brewing chamber and provides real-time feedback to the grinding unit. When the maximum level is detected, the system automatically stops grinding, creating a closed-loop control that prevents overfilling without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-regulation of the filling process through automatic detection and control. The light barrier and control unit work together to automatically stop the grinding process when the maximum substrate flour level is reached, eliminating the need for user judgment or manual dosing while preventing overfilling.
3Adaptability or versatility
If grinding degree is adjusted for different beverage types, then beverage quality improves, but substrate flour density varies making weight-based measurement unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces weight-based measurement with optical measurement using a light barrier. This substitution makes the measurement system insensitive to variations in substrate flour density caused by different grinding degrees, as the light transmission method measures volume level rather than mass, accommodating diverse beverage requirements without compromising measurement accuracy.
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
The system prevents overfilling by precisely detecting the fill level, ensuring accurate substrate quantity regardless of substrate type or grain size, reducing contamination risks and maintaining device functionality.
Implementation Method 1
sensor means, in particular a light barrier, are assigned to the grinding system, which are designed to detect when a, in particular maximum, fill level of substrate flour in the substrate flour receptacle is reached
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2c
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AI summary
The invention relates to a grinding system for providing a substrate flour portion dependent on a beverage to be prepared and/or beverage property, comprising a grinding unit (1) which comprises a grinder (2) for grinding beverage substrate into substrate flour (3), wherein the grinder (2) comprises a substrate feed opening (4), in particular connectable to a substrate reservoir, for introducing the beverage substrate into the grinder (2), and a substrate flour outlet (5) through which the ground substrate flour (3) can exit the grinder (2), and a substrate flour receptacle (6), in particular a brewing chamber, which is designed to receive a substrate flour portion for preparing a beverage and/or a plurality of beverages, wherein the substrate flour outlet (5) is arranged as a guide and/or transport means between the grinder (2) and the substrate flour receptacle (6), wherein sensor means (7), in particular a light barrier, are assigned to the grinding system,which are designed to detect when a, in particular maximum, filling level of substrate flour (3) in the substrate flour receptacle (6) has been reached.