DESC:A WET GRINDER WITH AN AUTOMATIC WATER DISPENSING MECHANISM
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a wet grinder. In particular, the present invention relates to an automatic water dispensing mechanism in the wet grinder.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Generally, in domestically operated table top wet grinders, constant manual intervention is required for the purpose of making consistent batter. The quantity of water required to be added varies depending on a plurality of parameters such as the quantity of grinding materials, quality of grinding material, batter consistency etc. Usually, the quantity of the water added to the ingredients to be ground at the beginning of the cycle is not sufficient as the grinding progresses and during the cycle, addition of water is carried out through manual intervention. As the grinding progresses, the batter gets thick and due to this the motor of the grinder may get overloaded which could lead to failure of the motor. Thus, to avoid this overloading of the motor, water is added manually during the grinding cycles for the batter to become less viscous. This process not only requires a timely manual intervention but also requires the user to learn exactly when the water addition needs to be carried out.
[0003] Thus, in view of the above, there is a need for a mechanism in wet grinders that avoids the manual intervention for addition of water in the wet grinder and adds water to the batter as and when it is required and only to the required extent during the grinding process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In an embodiment of the present invention, a wet grinder with an automatic water dispensing mechanism is provided. The wet grinder includes a drum to receive grinding materials and a motor to rotate the drum in the wet grinder, a tank to store water and a water pump configured to dispense a predetermined amount of water from the tank into the drum a plurality of sensors to detect the speed of the motor and a control unit configured to operate the water pump based on the inputs from the plurality of sensors.
[0005] Further, the control unit receives the speed data from the plurality of sensors and continuously monitors the speed of rotation of the motor and based on the speed of rotation of the motor, the control unit operates the water pump to dispense a predetermined quantity of water into the drum to facilitate a grinding operation in the wet grinder.
[0006] Further, the motor is an electric motor and configured to rotate the drum in a predetermined speed range. In an embodiment of the present invention, the motor rotates in a speed range from 1430 RPM to 1450 RPM. The plurality of sensors is communicatively coupled to the control unit.
[0007] Further, the control unit switches ‘ON’ the pump to dispense the water from the tank into the drum, when the speed of rotation of the motor is detected below a predetermined speed range. In an embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined speed range is from 770 RPM to 800.
[0008] Further, a predetermined quantity of water is continuously pumped into the drum in predetermined time intervals to maintain the speed of rotation of the motor above a predefined level during the grinding operation. In an embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined quantity of water is in the range from 5 ml to 10 ml, the predetermined time interval is 5 minutes and the predefined level of motor speed to be maintained is 1000 RPM.
[0009] Further, the grinding operation is terminated by the control unit, if the speed of rotation of the motor is not maintained in the predefined level, after the addition of water into the drum in two consecutive time intervals.
[0010] Further, a method to dispense water in a wet grinder is provided. The method includes steps of receiving a current input to operate a motor in the wet grinder, rotating, via the motor, a drum in the wet grinder, detecting, via a plurality of sensors, speed of rotation the motor and operating a pump, via a microcontroller, to dispense a predetermined amount of water into the drum and terminating a grinding operation, via a microcontroller, if the speed of rotation of motor does not increase to a predefined level after addition of water.
[0011] Further, based on the detected speed of rotation of the motor, the pump is operated to dispense a predetermined amount of water from a tank into the drum of the wet grinder to facilitate smooth grinding operation. A control unit switches ‘ON’ the pump to dispense the water from the tank into the drum when the speed of rotation of the motor is detected below a predetermined speed range. In an embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined speed range is from 770 RPM to 800 RPM.
[0012] Further, a predetermined quantity of water is continuously pumped into the drum in predetermined time intervals to maintain the speed of rotation of the motor above a predefined level during the grinding operation. In an embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined quantity of water is in the range from 5 ml to 10 ml, the predetermined time interval is 5 minutes and the predefined level of motor (302) speed to be maintained is 1000 RPM.
[0013] Further, the grinding operation is terminated by the control unit, if the speed of rotation of the motor (302) is not maintained in the predefined level, after the addition of water into the drum (102) in two consecutive time intervals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] Figures 1(a) and 1(b) illustrate a front view and a top view of a table top wet grinder respectively in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] Figures 2(a) and 2(b) illustrate side views of a table top wet grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] Figure 3 illustrates an isometric sectional view of a table top wet grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] Figures 4(a) and 4(b) illustrate a perspective view of a table top wet grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0018] Figure 5 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for dispensing water in a wet grinder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The following disclosure is provided in order to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. Exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For the purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
[0020] Figures 1(a) and 1(b) illustrate a front view and a top view of a table top wet grinder (100) respectively in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 2(a) and 2(b) illustrate side views of the table top wet grinder (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For the sake of brevity figures 1(a), 1(b), 2(a) and 2(b) are described together. In an embodiment of the present invention, the table top wet grinder (100) is provided with a mechanism to automatically dispense water during a grinding operation. The wet grinder (100) further includes a grinding mechanism for performing the grinding operation and a control unit for operating the automatic water dispensing mechanism based on load condition. The load conditions refer to state of ingredients in the drum (102) during the grinding operation. Further, the grinding mechanism consists of a motor, a pulley, a belt, a drum (102), a plurality of stones, a clamping mechanism and a lid (108). The plurality of stones may further include a plurality of rolling stones (104) and a base stone (114). In an embodiment of the present invention, the table top wet grinder (100) is provided with a base (110). The motor, the drum (102) and the grinding mechanism to rotate the drum (102) are mounted on the base (110).
[0021] Figure 3 illustrates an isometric sectional view of a table top wet grinder (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The grinding mechanism is arranged such that the ingredients to be ground in wet state are placed in the drum (104) and sufficient water required for the initial grinding is added into the drum (104) before the start of the grinding operation. The grinding of the ingredients is initiated by switching on a motor (302) and has been referred to as the grinding operation in subsequent sections of the detailed description. In an embodiment of the present invention the motor (302) is an electric motor. During the grinding operation, the drum (104) is rotated along with the base stone (114) by the motor (302). The ingredients are ground along with the water added at the beginning of the grinding operation to form a batter mix. As the grinding operation progresses, the batter mix gets thicker and hence the load on the motor (302) increases. The speed of rotation of the drum (104) is inversely proportional to the load in the drum (104). That is, when the load increases, the speed of rotation of the drum (104) decreases. In an embodiment of the present invention, in no load condition, the speed of rotation of the motor (302) is in the range from 1430 RPM to 1450 RPM.
[0022] The rotation of the base stone (114) facilitates in the rotation of the plurality of rolling stones (104) as the plurality of rolling stones (104) are placed in contact with the base stone (114). The rotation of the base stone (114) and the plurality of rolling stones (104) provides a friction that facilitates in grinding the ingredients to the batter mix during the grinding operation. Further, the drum (104) is provided with the lid (108) for the purpose of closing the drum (104) while performing the grinding operation. The lid (108) is provided with a locking mechanism (112) to hold the lid (108) in position during the grinding operation. Furthermore, a control panel (106) is provided to control the operation of the table top wet grinder (100). In an embodiment of the present invention, the motor (302) is configured to rotate the drum (104) in an average speed of rotation ranging from 130 RPM to 70 RPM during the grinding operation. Further, the speed of rotation of the motor (302) varies according to the load condition in the wet grinder (100).
[0023] Further, the wet grinder (100) is also provided with a tank (116) and a water pump (304). In an embodiment of the present invention, the water pump (304) is positioned adjacent to the tank (116) in the table top wet grinder (100). The water pump (304) is configured to dispense a predetermined amount of water from the tank (116) into the drum (102) during the grinding operation. The wet grinder (100) is also provided with a first hose (118) and a second hose (120) to transfer the water from the tank (116) into the drum (102). In an embodiment of the present invention, the first hose (118) connects between the tank (116) and the water pump (304) and the second hose (120) connects from the water pump (304) to the drum (102). The water from the tank (116) flows into the water pump (304) via the first hose (118) and the water from the water pump (304) flows into the drum (102) via the second hose (120). In an embodiment of the present invention, the first hose and the second hose are made from one of, but not limited to: rubber, silicon and plastic material.
[0024] Figures 4(a) and 4(b) illustrate a perspective view of a table top wet grinder (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Further, the automatic water dispensing mechanism is provided with a plurality of sensors to detect speed of the motor (302). In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of sensors are communicatively coupled with the control unit. The control unit receives speed data associated with rotation of the motor (302) from the plurality of sensors. Based on the speed of rotation of the motor (302), the control unit operates the water pump (304) to dispense a predetermined quantity of water into the drum (102) to facilitate smooth grinding in the wet grinder (100). The control unit comprises an electrical assembly mounted on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The electrical assembly consists of a micro-control unit, a plurality of diodes, a plurality of resistors, a plurality of capacitors and a plurality of transistors for operating the automatic water dispensing mechanism in the wet grinder (100).
[0025] During the grinding operation, the ingredients are ground along with the water added at the beginning of the grinding operation to form the batter mix. As the grinding operation progresses, the batter mix gets thicker and hence the load on the motor (302) increases. The load of the motor (302) is inversely proportional to the RPM or speed of the motor (302). That is, when the load on the motor (302) increases, the RPM or speed of the motor (302) reduces accordingly. Further, the speed of rotation of the motor (302) is continuously monitored by the control unit. If the motor (302) speed is reduced due to overloading, the reduction in Rotation Per Minute (RPM) of the motor (302) is detected by the control unit via an input from the plurality of sensors. In an embodiment of the present invention, the RPM of the motor (302) is monitored by a RPM sensor. Upon detecting the reduction in RPM of the motor (302), the water pump (304) is operated by the control unit to dispense a predetermined amount of water into the batter mix inside the drum (102). In an embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined amount of water is in the range from 50 ml to 100 ml. The control unit switches ‘ON’ the water pump (304) to dispense the water from the tank (116) into the drum (102), when the speed of rotation of the motor (302) is detected in a predetermined speed range. In an embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined speed range of the motor (302) for initiating the water pump (304) is from 770 RPM to 800 RPM.
[0026] Further, the predetermined amount of water is pumped into the batter mix in predetermined time intervals to keep the batter mix less viscous. In an embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined time interval for addition of water is 5 minutes. During the grinding operation, the batter mix tends to get thicker and reduce the speed of rotation of the motor (302). Once the water is added, the batter mix gets less viscous and reduces the load on the motor (302) thereby increasing the speed of rotation of the motor (302) facilitating in smooth grinding. Further, during the grinding operation, the water from the tank (116) needs to be pumped and fed to the drum (102) continuously in the predetermined time interval to maintain the speed of rotation of the motor (302) above a predefined level. In an embodiment of the present invention, the predefined level of speed of rotation of the motor (302) to be maintained during the grinding operation is 1000 RPM. This process continues until the grinding operation is completed. It may be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the automatic water dispensing mechanism may also be incorporated in a non-domestic, non-table top wet grinder (100).
[0027] The water is pumped from the tank (116) by the water pump (304) via the first hose (118) and flows into the drum (102) via the second hose (120). Further, the speed of rotation of the motor (302) is continuously monitored by the control unit. If the motor (302) speed does not increase after the addition of water into the drum (102) in two consecutive time intervals, the control unit terminates the grinding operation by switching ‘OFF’ the motor. This aspect of the invention functions as a fail-safe mechanism to prevent overloading and failure of the motor (302).
[0028] Figure 5 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for dispensing water in a wet grinder (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In step 502, a current input is received to operate a motor (302) in the wet grinder (100). Further, in step 504, the drum in the wet grinder (100) is rotated by the motor (302) in an average speed of rotation. In an embodiment of the present invention, the average speed of rotation of the drum (102) ranges from 130 RPM to 70 RPM. In step 506, the speed of rotation of the motor (302) is detected by a plurality of sensors. Further in step 508, the detected speed of rotation of the motor (302) is compared with a predetermined speed range. In an embodiment of the present invention, the step 508 is performed by a microcontroller. If the detected speed of rotation of the motor (302) is in the predetermined speed range, the microcontroller does not initiate a water pump (304). If the detected speed of rotation of the motor (302) is below the predetermined speed range, at step 510, the water pump (304) is initiated by the microcontroller to dispense a predetermined amount of water from a tank into the drum in predefined time interval. In an embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined amount of water is in the range from 5 ml to 10 ml and predefined time interval is 5 minutes.
[0029] If the motor (302) speed is reduced due to overloading, the reduction in RPM is detected by the microcontroller via an input from the plurality of sensors. In an embodiment of the present invention, the RPM of the motor (302) is monitored by a RPM sensor. Upon detecting the reduction in RPM, the water pump (304) is operated by the microcontroller to dispense the predetermined amount of water into the batter mix inside the drum (102). The microcontroller switches ‘ON’ the water pump (304) to dispense the water from the tank (116) into the drum (102), when the speed of rotation of the motor (302) is detected in a predetermined speed range. In an embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined speed range of motor (302) for initiating the water pump (304) is from 770 RPM to 800 RPM.
[0030] Further, at step 512, the speed of rotation of the motor (302) is maintained in a predefined level to complete a grinding operation. In an embodiment of the present invention, the predefined level of motor (302) speed to be maintained is 1000 RPM. Further in step 516, the speed of rotation of the motor (302) is detected and compared with the predefined level. If the speed of rotation of the motor (302) is detected above the predefined level, the method proceeds with step 510 and operate the water pump (304) to dispense the predetermined amount of water in predetermined time intervals until the completion of the grinding operation.
[0031] Further, the speed of rotation of the motor (302) is continuously monitored by a control unit. In step 516, the speed of rotation of the motor (302) is detected after two consecutive time intervals of water dispensation. If the motor (302) speed does not increase after the addition of water into the drum (102) in two consecutive time intervals, in step 518, the control unit terminates the grinding operation by switching ‘OFF’ the motor.
[0032] Accordingly, the present invention provides the following effects or advantages.
[0033] The wet grinder with automatic water dispensing mechanism helps to avoid human intervention from the start to the end of the grinding operation. Further the wet grinder helps to add the water at the right time so that the grinding motor doesn’t get over loaded. The wet grinder also helps to complete the grinding operation efficiently as the water is added at the most appropriate time and maintain the required RPM of the motor (302) and the drum (102).
[0034] Additionally, the wet grinder (100) helps to eliminate human error as there is a possibility of motor (302) overload in case of delayed addition of water or failure to add water when it is required. Further, the wet grinder (100) helps to avoid the wearing out of the belt or failure of motor (302) due to overheating in case the required water quantity is not added on time to the grind mix.
[0035] While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated herein, it will be appreciated that they are merely illustrative. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications in form and detail may be made therein without departing from or offending the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
,CLAIMS:We claim
1. A wet grinder (100) with an automatic water dispensing mechanism, the wet grinder comprising:
a drum (102) to receive grinding materials and a motor (302) to rotate the drum (102) in the wet grinder (100);
a tank (116) to store water and a water pump (304) configured to dispense a predetermined amount of water from the tank (116) into the drum (102);
a plurality of sensors to detect speed of the motor (302); and
a control unit configured to operate the water pump (304) based on the speed of rotation of the motor (302),
wherein the control unit receives speed data of the motor (302) from the plurality of sensors and continuously monitors the speed of rotation of the motor (302), based on the speed of rotation of the motor (302), the control unit operates the water pump (304) to dispense a predetermined quantity of water into the drum (102) to facilitate a grinding operation in the wet grinder (100).
2. The wet grinder (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor (302) is an electric motor configured to rotate the drum (102) in an average speed of rotation.
3. The wet grinder (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the motor (302) rotates in a speed range from 1430 RPM to 1450 RPM.
4. The wet grinder (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors are communicatively coupled to the control unit.
5. The wet grinder (100) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit switches ‘ON’ the water pump (304) to dispense the water from the tank (116) into the drum (102), when the speed of rotation of the motor (302) is detected in a predetermined speed range.
6. The wet grinder (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the predetermined speed range is from 770 RPM to 800 RPM.
7. The wet grinder (100) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a predetermined quantity of water is continuously pumped into the drum (102) in predetermined time intervals to maintain the speed of rotation of the motor (302) above a predefined level during the grinding operation.
8. The wet grinder (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the predetermined quantity of water is in the range from 5 ml to 10 ml, the predetermined time interval is 5 minutes and the predefined level of motor (302) speed to be maintained is 1000 RPM.
9. The wet grinder (100) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the grinding operation is terminated by the control unit, if the speed of rotation of the motor (302) is not maintained in the predefined level, after the addition of water into the drum (102) in two consecutive time intervals.
10. A method to dispense water in a wet grinder (100), the method comprising steps of:
receiving a current input to operate a motor (302) in the wet grinder (100);
rotating, via the motor (302), a drum (102) in the wet grinder (100);
detecting, via a plurality of sensors, speed of rotation of the motor (302);
operating a water pump (304), via a microcontroller, to dispense a predetermined amount of water into the drum (102); and
terminating a grinding operation, via the microcontroller, if the speed of rotation of motor (302) does not increase to a predefined level after addition of water,
wherein based on the detected speed of rotation of the motor (302), the water pump (304) is operated by a control unit to dispense a predetermined amount of water from a tank (116) into the drum (102) of the wet grinder (100) to facilitate smooth grinding operation.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein a control unit switches ‘ON’ the water pump (304) to dispense the water from the tank (116) into the drum (102) when the speed of rotation of the motor (302) is detected in a predetermined speed range.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the predetermined speed range of the motor (302) is from 770 RPM to 800 RPM.
13. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein a predetermined quantity of water is continuously pumped into the drum (102) in predetermined time intervals to maintain the speed of rotation of the motor (302) above a predefined level during the grinding operation.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the predetermined quantity of water is in the range from 5 ml to 10 ml, the predetermined time interval is 5 minutes and the predefined level of motor (302) speed to be maintained is 1000 RPM.
15. The wet grinder (100) as claimed in one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the grinding operation is terminated by the control unit, if the speed of rotation of the motor (302) is not maintained in the predefined level, after the addition of water into the drum (102) in two consecutive time intervals.