Customizable coffee dispensing system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee dispensing systems in catering services have limited customization options, relying heavily on operator expertise and not accommodating customer-specific requirements, with limited parameters available for customization such as sugar addition and coffee strength.
Innovation Solution
A customizable coffee dispensing system that includes multiple grinding machines with different coffee bean mixes and a coffee machine connected to a CPU, allowing users to input parameters like cream, sweetness, acidity, and aroma through a user interface or smart device app, which calculates and adjusts grinding and brewing settings to produce tailored coffee profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a coffee dispensing system uses operator expertise for customization, then coffee quality can be adjusted according to customer requirements, but the system complexity increases and requires skilled operators
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows customers to directly input their own preferences through a user interface without requiring operator intervention. The control unit automatically processes these inputs and adjusts the coffee machine parameters, enabling self-service customization while reducing the need for skilled operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual adjustment of coffee parameters by operators is replaced with an automated electronic control system. The control unit receives digital inputs from customers and automatically adjusts grinding, brewing, and dispensing parameters, substituting mechanical/operator-based customization with an automated electronic system.
2Ease of operation
If automatic coffee vendor machines provide limited customization parameters, then the system remains simple and easy to operate, but the adaptability to customer-specific requirements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed to handle multiple customization parameters simultaneously (grind size, brewing time, water temperature, coffee-to-water ratio) through a single unified interface. This multi-functional approach allows extensive customization while maintaining simple operation through one centralized control panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows customers to adjust multiple coffee parameters independently (grind size, brewing time, temperature, ratios) to create customized coffee profiles. By enabling changes to multiple parameters through a simple interface, the system achieves high adaptability without compromising ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple grinding machines with different coffee bean mixes are used, then the variety and quality of customized coffee profiles increase, but the device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically selects which grinding machines to use and in what sequence based on the customer's input parameters and the stored coffee profiles. This automated selection process eliminates the need for operators to manually decide which machines to use, maintaining operational simplicity while utilizing multiple grinding machines for diverse coffee varieties.
Solution Approach 2:
Different coffee bean mixes are pre-prepared and stored in separate grinding machines before service. The control unit simply selects from these pre-prepared options based on customer preferences, eliminating the need for complex real-time decisions about coffee selection and preparation sequences.
4Manufacturing precision
If a CPU-controlled system calculates and adjusts grinding and brewing settings, then precise control over coffee characteristics is achieved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit precisely adjusts multiple coffee parameters (grind size, brewing time, water temperature, coffee-to-water ratio) based on customer inputs and stored profiles. By automating the calculation and adjustment of these parameters, the system achieves precise control over coffee characteristics without requiring complex manual calculations or adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual adjustment of coffee preparation parameters is replaced with automated electronic control. The CPU-controlled system calculates optimal settings and automatically adjusts grinding and brewing parameters, substituting manual precision work with automated electronic control for greater accuracy and consistency.
Data Source
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AI summary
A coffee dispensing system (100) comprises: a plurality of grinding machines (1) that contain a different coffee bean mix (a1, .... An), a coffee machine (2), a filter holder (4) suitable for containing a dose of ground coffee and to be disposed in each grinding machine so as to be filled with ground coffee to form a desired dose of ground coffee and suitable to be placed in the coffee machine for infusing the ground coffee, a CPU (3) operatively connected to the grinding machines (1) and to the coffee machine (2), and a user interface (6) operatively connected to the CPU (3); the user interface (6) being configured in such a way to send input parameters (I) selected by the user based on the desired coffee type to the CPU (3); wherein the CPU (3) is configured in such a way to receive the input parameters (I) sent by the user interface (6) and calculate output parameters (O) suitable for controlling the grinding machines (1) and the coffee machine (2).