Grinding Unit Actuator Nesting for Larger Bean Storage Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grinding units for beverage preparation devices, such as coffee and espresso machines, have complex mechanical arrangements that reduce the available volume of the bean container and complicate the adjustment of grinding elements, making it difficult to achieve a simpler construction and larger volume for the substrate storage device.
Innovation Solution
The grinding unit features a rotatable grinding mechanism with adjustable grinding elements driven by an electric motor, where the actuating element for adjusting the grinding degree is positioned within the beverage substrate storage device, eliminating the need for complex external mechanics and allowing for a larger storage volume. This design includes a cylindrical actuating element with a base body parallel to the grinding elements' axis, a collar for closure, and recesses for uniform substrate flow, facilitating easier operation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the actuating element is guided past the beverage substrate storage device to interact with the adjusting ring, then the grinding degree can be adjusted, but the mechanical structure becomes complex and the available volume of the bean container is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element is positioned inside the beverage substrate storage device rather than outside, nesting the adjustment mechanism within the storage volume. This eliminates the need for external mechanical linkages and allows the actuating element to directly interact with the actuator through the bottom of the storage device, simplifying the overall mechanical structure while maintaining full adjustability of the grinding degree.
2Ease of operation
If the actuating element is guided past the beverage substrate storage device, then the adjustment mechanism can be accessed, but the volume of the bean container is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element is nested within the beverage substrate storage device, utilizing the internal space rather than encroaching on it from the outside. The element extends through the bottom of the storage device to reach the actuator, allowing adjustment functionality without compromising the storage volume for beverage substrate.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex external mechanics are used for adjustment, then the grinding elements can be positioned, but the construction becomes complicated and maintenance difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The complex external mechanical linkages are extracted and eliminated from the system. Instead of using gears, linkages, or external transmission mechanisms to position the grinding elements, the invention uses a direct actuation approach where the actuating element inside the storage device directly controls the actuator, which in turn positions the grinding elements. This extraction of unnecessary mechanical complexity simplifies both manufacturing and maintenance.
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
This solution simplifies the mechanical interaction between the actuator and actuating element, allows for a larger beverage substrate storage volume, and maintains operational usability without noticeable disadvantages, enabling efficient adjustment of the grinding degree while ensuring a consistent substrate supply and reducing noise and dust formation.
Implementation Method 1
a drive, in particular an electric motor, the distance between the grinding elements being adjustable
Implementation Method 2
the beverage substrate, in particular the coffee beans, preferably exclusively by the action of gravity, from a transition section of the beverage substrate storage device into an input section of the grinder
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
Grinding unit (1) for a beverage preparation device (15) with a beverage substrate storage device (2) and a substrate grinder (3) for grinding beverage substrate (23) to substrate flour, comprising a first and a second grinding element which are rotatably mounted relative to each other about a pivot axis by means of a drive, wherein the distance between the grinding elements is adjustable via a grinding adjustment device (6), wherein the adjustment is achieved via a rotational movement of an actuator (5), and wherein the beverage substrate storage device (2) is arranged with an outlet opening opposite the grinder (3) in such a way thatthat beverage substrate (23) can pass from a transition section of the beverage substrate storage device (2) into an inlet section (17) of the grinder (3). According to the invention, an actuating element (11) connected to the actuator (5) projects through the transition section (16) into the beverage substrate storage device (2) for the purpose of rotating the actuator (5).