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 coffee grounds and inconsistent coffee doses.
Innovation Solution
A set of coffee grinders with booking means and a central control unit that activates each grinder sequentially, reducing vibration interference by using anti-vibration feet to dampen vibrations, ensuring precise weighing of filter holders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple coffee grinders are operated simultaneously to satisfy high coffee demand, then productivity increases, but measurement precision deteriorates due to vibration interference with load cells
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the simultaneous operation of multiple coffee grinders into sequential operations through a central control unit that manages booking means. Each grinder is activated in turn based on booked requests, dividing the parallel process into serial steps to eliminate vibration interference during weighing operations while maintaining overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The booking means allow users to pre-book coffee grinding in advance before the actual grinding operation occurs. The central control unit processes these bookings and schedules grinder activation accordingly, performing the weighing and preparation actions before the grinding vibrations begin, thus ensuring accurate measurements are taken when no vibrations are present.
2Area of stationary object
If coffee grinders are positioned in close proximity on worktops, then space utilization improves, but measurement precision deteriorates due to transmitted vibrations between adjacent grinders
Solution Approach 1:
Even though grinders are physically positioned close together on worktops for space efficiency, the control system segments their operation in time. The central control unit ensures that only one grinder operates at a time based on bookings, so vibrations from one grinder do not interfere with the weighing operations of another, allowing close physical proximity without compromising measurement precision.
3Speed
If grinders are activated simultaneously to respond to multiple orders, then service speed increases, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inconsistent coffee dosing from vibration interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary weighing of coffee doses using load cells before the grinding operation begins. The booking means and central control unit schedule the weighing action to occur when no vibrations are present, ensuring precise measurement of coffee doses. The grinding then follows immediately after, maintaining service speed while ensuring dosing precision through this preliminary measurement step.
Solution Approach 2:
The load cells provide feedback on the weight of coffee doses to the control system. The central control unit monitors these weight measurements and can adjust or reweigh doses if vibrations or other factors affect accuracy. This feedback mechanism ensures consistent coffee dosing even when multiple grinders are booked in quick succession, maintaining manufacturing precision while responding quickly to multiple orders.
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 quality and aroma of coffee-based drinks.
Implementation Method 1
using anti-vibration feet to dampen vibrations
Data Source
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AI summary
A set (G) comprises a plurality of coffee grinders (100); each coffee grinder (100) comprises: a body (1), a grinding unit (3), actuation means (4) to activate the grinding unit (3), a load cell (2) to weigh a filter-holder, and booking means (5) to book the activation of the coffee grinder (100); the set (G) comprises a central control unit (U) to receive a booking signal (I5) from the booking means (5) of each coffee grinder (100) and create an ordered list with an activation sequence of the coffee grinders (100); the central control unit (U) is connected to the load cell (2) of all coffee grinders (100) to send an activation command (I2) of the load cell to a coffee grinder (100) at a time according to the sequence indicated by the ordered list.