Precision Measurement Dispenser for Granular Ingredients
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Solution Overview
Problem
Measuring granular food ingredients by volume is imprecise due to settling and varying densities, leading to inconsistent results in food preparation.
Innovation Solution
A storage dispensing unit that measures and dispenses granular ingredients by weight, using a scale and controller to convert requested volumetric measures to equivalent weight measures, with optional features like airtight storage, temperature, and humidity control to maintain ingredient freshness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If granular ingredients are measured by volume, then the measuring process is simple and quick, but the measurement precision is poor due to settling and varying densities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical volume measurement system (measuring cups) with an electronic weighing system that uses a load cell sensor to measure ingredient mass directly, eliminating the precision problems associated with volume measurement while maintaining operational simplicity through digital display and automatic calculation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a microcontroller as an intermediary that converts the raw weight measurement from the load cell into meaningful volumetric measurements by applying density factors stored in memory, allowing the system to display both weight and volume equivalents while maintaining measurement precision
2Reliability
If traditional volume measurement methods are used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of food preparation results deteriorates due to inconsistent measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where the microcontroller continuously monitors the weight measurement, compares it against the target amount calculated from the recipe, and provides real-time feedback through the display to guide the user in adding or removing ingredients to achieve the precise required quantity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental measurement parameter from volume to mass, which is inherently more reliable for granular ingredients. The system stores density parameters for different ingredients in memory and uses these to convert between mass and volume representations, ensuring consistent measurements regardless of ingredient settling or packing variations
3Reliability
If airtight storage with temperature and humidity control is implemented, then ingredient freshness is maintained, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating a vacuum seal in the storage container before storage to remove oxygen and prevent degradation, and by pre-storing density factors and ingredient information in memory during manufacturing, so that no additional energy-consuming actions are needed during normal storage operations
Data Source
AI summary
A precision measurement dispenser provides for storage of a granular bulk material in a storage container that is preferably airtight. The granular material is held in a storage container which feeds a dispensing section that is preferably positioned within the storage container. The dispensing section selectively dispenses the ingredient by gravity to a weighting tray of a scale. The ingredient is dispensed by weight. The storage dispensing unit may also include a display and keypad for entry of a desired quantity of ingredient to be dispensed, and optionally which of plural ingredients to be dispensed. A controller can convert a requested volumetric measure to an equivalent weight measure, and dispense by weight in place of volume. The storage dispensing unit further optionally includes pressure control, temperature control, and/or humidity control on the storage container. The dispensing section uses screw, roll, vibration, or shuttle mechanisms for precise dispensing of material.