Set comprising a plurality of mutually connected coffee grinders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multiple coffee grinders operating simultaneously on the same worktop or different worktops in close contact generate low-frequency vibrations that interfere with the accuracy of load cell measurements, leading to incorrect weighing of filter holders and varying coffee doses, affecting the aroma consistency of coffee-based drinks.
Innovation Solution
A set of coffee grinders with a central control unit that coordinates the activation sequence of each grinder to minimize vibration interference, combined with anti-vibration feet to absorb and dampen vibrations, ensuring precise weighing of filter holders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple coffee grinders operate simultaneously on the same worktop, then the productivity increases to satisfy high demand during peak hours, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to vibrations interfering with load cell measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central control unit that segments the operation of multiple coffee grinders into sequential time slots. Each grinder is activated one at a time based on a booking system, ensuring that only one grinder operates at any given moment. This temporal segmentation eliminates vibration interference between simultaneous operations while maintaining high overall productivity through efficient scheduling.
2Area of stationary object
If coffee grinders are positioned on different worktops in mutual contact, then the space utilization improves, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to transmitted vibrations affecting load cell operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces anti-vibration feet as intermediary elements between the coffee grinder bodies and the worktops. These feet act as vibration isolators that physically decouple the grinding unit from the worktop surface, preventing vibration transmission. This allows multiple grinders to be positioned on different worktops in close proximity without compromising measurement precision, as the anti-vibration feet block the vibration pathway.
3Speed
If the load cell operates during grinding, then the weighing function is available in real-time, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to low-frequency vibrations close to the load cell frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a periodic action by activating the load cell weighing function only during specific time intervals when no grinding is occurring. The central control unit coordinates the weighing operation to occur in the gaps between sequential grinder activations. This periodic timing approach allows real-time weighing capability while avoiding the low-frequency vibrations generated during grinding, thereby maintaining measurement precision.
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 solution allows each coffee grinder to accurately weigh the filter holder, reducing the impact of vibrations and ensuring consistent coffee doses, thereby maintaining the aroma quality of coffee-based drinks.
Implementation Method 1
anti-vibration feet to absorb and dampen vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
A set includes a plurality of coffee grinders, each coffee grinder including: a body, a grinding unit, actuation means to activate the grinding unit, a load cell to weigh a filter holder, and booking means to book the activation of the coffee grinder; the set has a central control unit to receive a booking signal from the booking means of each coffee grinder and create an ordered list with an activation sequence of the coffee grinders; the central control unit is connected to the load cell of all coffee grinders to send an activation command of the load cell to a coffee grinder at a time according to the sequence indicated by the ordered list.