PORTABLE ADAPTIVE FOOD FRESHNESS DETECTION DEVICE

Abstract

The invention is a portable food freshness testing device measuring 100x60x30 mm and weighing 150 grams. The device contains an Arduino Nano microprocessor (ATmega328P, 16 MHz, 32 KB flash), an MQ-135 gas sensor (NH3, H2S, NOx, VOC detection, SnO2-based, 5V, 0-5V analog output), an MQ-3 alcohol sensor (ethanol-methanol-ester, 0.05-10 mg / L, 5V), a DHT11 temperature-humidity sensor (0-50°C, ±2°C; 20-90% RH, ±5% RH, digital output), a 16x2 character I2C LCD screen, an RGB LED display, and a 9V 550 mAh alkaline battery, all housed in an ABS plastic casing. The invention's original innovation lies in its adaptive calibration algorithm, which calculates a dynamic threshold value based on ambient temperature and humidity, and its LCD screen-based user interface, which can operate independently without requiring external devices. The adaptive threshold for the MQ-135 sensor is: Vth_MQ135 = 450 + (-2.5)×(T-25) + 1.8×(RH-50) mV (safety limits: 300-700 mV). For the MQ-3 sensor: Vth_MQ3 = 400 + (-2.0)×(T-25) + 1.5×(RH-50) mV (safety limits: 250-650 mV). Decision logic: If both sensors exceed the threshold, it is determined as FAULTY; if one sensor exceeds the threshold or approaches 85% of the threshold, it is determined as BOUNDARY; and if both are below the threshold, it is determined as FRESH. The result is communicated to the user as text on the LCD screen and as a color (green / yellow / red) signal via RGB LEDs. The device provides consistent and accurate results under various environmental conditions (kitchen, refrigerator, cold storage). Thanks to adaptive calibration, it produces significantly fewer false alarms compared to traditional methods using fixed thresholds. Battery life: 3-4 hours of continuous operation. It enables economical production using standard electronic components. Applications: Home use, supermarkets, restaurants, cold storage facilities, and food production plants. Its ability to operate independently without external equipment and its adaptive calibration system offer significant advantages.

Description

1 TARIFF PORTABLE ADAPTIVE FOOD FRESHNESS DETECTION DEVICE Technical Area This invention is intended for use in the fields of food safety, quality control, and freshness determination. It is designed; through its integrated gas and environmental data sensors, it detects 5 types of gas and environmental data from food. The invention relates to a compact and portable electronic device that analyzes emitted compounds. Specifically, sensor data sensitive to environmental conditions, integrated hardware on the device. It is about a structure that operates with its architecture and offers the user an independent interface. State of the Art Food waste and foodborne illnesses are a global problem. Today, food freshness is 10%... usually through human senses (smell, sight) or costly laboratory tests This is determined by experience. However, human senses are subjective and can be misleading, especially with meat and dairy products. It is possible. Upon reviewing the patent literature, application number WO2016087084A1 mentions an interior for a refrigerator. Integrated systems appear to be proposed. However, these structures are fixed and there is no possibility of them being portable. 15 No. Existing portable solutions on the market are generally a smartphone and It requires a Bluetooth connection. This means the user doesn't need to carry an external device. and reduces usability by requiring software installation. Furthermore, the biggest technical problem with semiconductor (SnO2-based) gas sensors like the MQ series is... It is extremely sensitive to temperature and humidity changes. Devices with known technology can detect this data in 20... Even if it measures, how the mathematical models used in sensor calibration work on the hardware... It is unclear how it is structured and presented in a standalone device architecture. The current Most of these devices are limited to only certain types of food (meat, fish). Purpose of the Invention The aim of the invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the known state of the art; 25 Hardware architecture capable of setting dynamic threshold values ​​based on ambient temperature and humidity. owner, "Plug and play" functionality, without the need for an external smart device or application software. independently functioning, 2 Capable of simultaneously analyzing NH3, H2S, NOx, VOCs, and alcohol derivatives (ethanol, methanol, ester). It has a multi-sensor structure. With its ABS plastic housing and special ventilation channels, the sensors are positioned at the most optimal angle to food gases. providing the contact, The goal is to provide an economical and portable device. 5 Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1: Shows a perspective view of the device. Figure 2: Schematic view showing the internal components and sensor layout of the device. List of Parts Shown in the Figures 1. ABS plastic case (Approximately 100x60x30 mm in size) 10 2. LCD screen (16x2 character capacity) 3. Ventilation holes (with a total surface area of ​​120 mm²) 4. RGB LED indicator (Status light) 5. Power button 6. Battery cover 15 7. Microcontroller (ATmega328P based, 16 MHz clock frequency control unit) 8. MQ-135 gas sensor (for NH3, H2S, NOx, VOC detection) 9. MQ-3 alcohol sensor (for ethanol, methanol, and ester detection) 10. DHT11 temperature-humidity sensor (Environmental data sensor with digital output) 11. I2C LCD module (Serial communication interface) 20 12. RGB LED (Common cathode configuration) 13. 9V alkaline battery (Power supply) Description of the Invention The device described in this invention determines the freshness of food based on gas emissions, approximately. Electronic 25 placed inside an ABS plastic case (1) with dimensions of 100x60x30 mm It consists of a system. The outer casing of the case contains the gases emitted from the food being measured, inside. The ventilation system, which allows access to the sensors in the area, has a total surface area of ​​120 mm². There are holes (3). 3 Device Hardware Configuration: The microcontroller (7), which is the main management unit of the device, controls all data processing processes. The system is supplied with power via a power switch (5) located on the case (1). Power The 9V alkaline battery (13) used as the power source is located at the back of the case and is easily accessible. It is located under a battery cover (6) which provides 5 The gas detection unit is an MQ-135 gas sensor that detects NH3, H2S, NOx, and VOC gases. (8) and a combination of an MQ-3 alcohol sensor (9) that detects ethanol, methanol and ester compounds. This occurs because these sensors have varying resistances depending on ambient conditions (temperature and humidity). In order to compensate for its values, a DHT11 temperature-humidity sensor (10) was included in the structure. It has been done. 10 User Interface and Notification System: On the front of the device is an LCD screen (2) which displays the food status in text. This screen features an I2C port to reduce cable clutter and facilitate installation. The LCD module (11) is connected to the microcontroller (7). The visual warning system is a This is provided by RGB LED (12). The light emitted by this LED is shown on the RGB LED indicator 15 on the case (1). (4) It has been made visible from the outside through (light channel / window). System Operation: Using the environmental data it receives from the DHT11 temperature-humidity sensor (10), the microcontroller (7), Calculates dynamic threshold values ​​for the MQ-135 gas sensor (8) and the MQ-3 alcohol sensor (9). The measured gas values ​​are compared with these thresholds to determine the condition of the food. The result is displayed on LCD screen 20 (2) is shown in writing, while the RGB LED (12) is green in the "FRESH" state. RGB LED indicator with yellow light in "LIMITED" state and red light in "DEFECTED" state. (4) is reflected outwards. How the invention can be applied to industry. The invention relates to standard printed circuit board (PCB) assembly available in the electronics manufacturing industry. It is capable of being mass-produced using various techniques and industrial injection molding methods. Production Process: The ABS plastic casing (1) which forms the outer protective body of the invention, is made by standard injection molds. It is produced. The microcontroller (7), which is the electronic heart of the device, MQ-135 gas sensor (8), MQ-3 The components of an alcohol sensor (9), temperature-humidity sensor (10), LCD screen (2) and RGB LED (12) form a 30 4 By using SMD (Surface Mount) or through-hole mounting methods on a PCB. soldered. The assembled circuit is placed inside an ABS plastic case (1) for quality They undergo control and calibration tests. Areas of application: The invention has a wide range of applications and is suitable for commercial and individual use in the following areas: 5 suitable: Household Use: For checking the freshness of food in kitchens and refrigerators. Commercial Businesses: Markets, supermarkets, restaurants, and catering companies. In raw material acceptance and shelf life control. Logistics and Warehousing: Regular status in cold storage facilities and food shipping points 10 under control. Official Inspections: On-site inspections by food safety inspectors and municipal inspection teams. As a quick analysis tool. The invention is economical because it uses standard electronic components commonly found on the market. It offers production possibilities. It can operate independently without the need for an external smart device and 15 Its hardware structure allows it to adapt to environmental factors, increasing the device's commercial potential and... It increases competitiveness in the market.

Claims

REQUESTS 1. The invention is a portable device for determining the freshness of food; its feature is: − an ABS plastic case with dimensions of approximately 100x60x30 mm (1), − An LCD screen with a capacity of 16x2 characters (2), − Ventilation holes with a total surface area of ​​120 mm² (3), 5 - an RGB LED indicator with status indicator light (4), − a power button (5) and a battery cover (6), − An ATmega328P based microcontroller with a clock frequency of 16 MHz (7), − An MQ-135 gas sensor (8) that detects NH3, H2S, NOx, and VOCs. − An MQ-3 alcohol sensor (9) that detects ethanol, methanol, and esters, 10 − a DHT11 temperature-humidity sensor (10) which is an environmental data sensor with digital output, − an I2C LCD module (11) that provides a serial communication interface, − a common cathode configuration RGB LED (12), − a 9V alkaline battery used as a power source (13), It is characterized by its inclusion. 15 2. According to claim 1, it is a device whose characteristic is that the microcontroller in question (7) is the DHT11 temperature- Using digital environmental data from the humidity sensor (10), the MQ-135 gas sensor (8) and To determine the dynamic threshold voltage values ​​separately for the MQ-3 alcohol sensor (9) It is structured.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, and its feature is; microcontroller (7); MQ-135 gas sensor 20 For (8), the equation Vth_MQ135 = 450 + (-2.5 X (T - 25)) + (1.8 X (RH - 50)) and MQ-3 alcohol Calculated for sensor (9) with the equation Vth_MQ3 = 400 + (-2.0 X (T - 25)) + (1.5 X (RH - 50)) It is the process of performing analysis based on reference values.

4. According to claim 1, it is a device whose characteristic is that the microcontroller (7) transmits through the analog A0 pin. MQ-135 gas sensor (8), MQ-3 alcohol sensor (9) via analog A1 pin and digital D2 25 It is electrically connected to the DHT11 temperature-humidity sensor (10) via its pin.

5. A device according to claim 1, whose feature is; LCD screen (2), via I2C LCD module (11). connecting to the microcontroller (7) via serial protocol and the light emitted by the RGB LED (12) ABS The signal is transmitted externally via the RGB LED display (4) on the plastic case (1). 6 6. A device according to claim 1, and its feature is; ventilation holes (3), MQ-135 gas sensor (8) and ABS plastic to match the position of the MQ-3 alcohol sensor (9) inside the case The case (1) is positioned on the side surfaces.