Automated Wet Grinder with Self-Cleaning and Fermentation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wet grinders require years of experience to produce high-quality batter with consistent quality, as they lack clear guidelines for ingredient quantities, grinding time, and water addition, often leading to mid-process shutdowns and labor-intensive adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A fully automatic grinding device with integrated automation for ingredient selection, water control, temperature management, and self-cleaning, featuring a housing with storage, a grinder, resting unit, and sensors for precise temperature and humidity control, along with remote monitoring capabilities via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional wet grinding machines are used with manual operation, then the grinding function is performed, but the process requires years of practice to achieve required proficiency and involves labor-intensive adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-cleaning through automatic water spraying and draining mechanisms that clean the grinding drum and rollers without human intervention. The controller automatically manages the cleaning cycle, water flow, and drainage, enabling the device to maintain itself
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations are replaced by an automated control system that coordinates motors, sensors, and actuators. The controller manages ingredient loading, grinding parameters, water addition, and cleaning sequences, substituting skilled manual operation with automated control logic
2Extent of automation
If automated grinding devices are used, then the grinding process is automated, but fermentation control requires separate manual monitoring and adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors monitor temperature, humidity, and other fermentation parameters in real-time, feeding data back to the controller. The controller adjusts ventilation, heating, and humidity control mechanisms based on sensor feedback to maintain optimal fermentation conditions automatically
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves multiple functions: managing the grinding process, controlling fermentation conditions, monitoring sensors, and coordinating cleaning operations. This multi-functional integration ensures reliable automation across all stages without requiring separate manual monitoring
3Productivity
If manual cleaning of the grinder is performed, then the cleaning function is achieved, but it requires additional labor and time after the grinding process
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cleaning actions during the grinding process by continuously spraying water to prevent batter accumulation. This preliminary cleaning reduces the burden of final cleaning and enables faster overall operation
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning process is integrated into the operational cycle, with water spraying occurring continuously during grinding and automated cleaning cycles running immediately after. This continuous action eliminates separate cleaning steps and maintains productivity
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
Enables fast and precise fermentation within 4-7 hours, reducing the time required to achieve quality batter compared to conventional methods, and eliminates the need for continuous human intervention by automating the grinding and cleaning processes.
Implementation Method 1
A resting unit may receive the ground batter and potentially ferment the same by controlling its temperature, humidity, pH, etc.
Implementation Method 2
Jets may be connected to a water reservoir and direct liquid water into the grinder, potentially with soap, to cleanse the same.
Data Source
AI summary
Automated grinder systems include several different automatic functions including liquid and substrate soaking, mixing, grinding, fermenting, and cleaning. Example grinders include storages for soaking and draining a substrate for grinding, a water or other fluid reservoir connected to provide soaking material, and a grinder connected to the storage to receive and grind the substrate. A resting unit may receive the ground batter and potentially ferment the same by controlling its temperature, humidity, pH, etc. Jets may be connected to a water reservoir and direct liquid water into the grinder, potentially with soap, to cleanse the same.