Measuring system for foodstuffs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measuring systems for foodstuffs are complicated, deliver unreliable results, and require numerous manual measurements to ensure statistical reliability, especially with the shift towards vegetable proteins and reduced salt/fat content, necessitating improved flexibility and error reduction.
Innovation Solution
A measuring system with a housing, product container, lid, heating/cooling device, sensor device, and control unit that automatically measures quality-related parameters using a time-temperature program, incorporating a cold buffer with phase-change material and a refrigerant circuit for controlled heating and cooling, and sensor devices for viscosity, conductivity, and optical measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual operation and reading of devices is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to human error and lack of control
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring system automatically performs measurements, data recording, and analysis without human intervention. The control unit autonomously controls the heating/cooling device and sensor device, and automatically processes measurement data, eliminating the need for manual operation while ensuring consistent, reliable results
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations are replaced by an automated control system that uses electronic control to operate the heating/cooling device, sensor device, and data processing functions, thereby improving reliability through precise electronic control while managing complexity through integrated software
2Measurement precision
If numerous measurements are taken for statistical reliability, then measurement precision improves, but loss of time increases due to multiple measurements and readings
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs continuous automated measurements at predetermined time intervals during the entire storage period, eliminating gaps between measurements. The control unit continuously monitors and records data without interruption, achieving statistical reliability through continuous data collection rather than discrete manual measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that automatically collects, records, and processes measurement data from the sensor device. It eliminates the time-consuming manual reading and transcription process by directly capturing and storing measurement values in digital form, enabling rapid accumulation of statistical data
3Ease of operation
If product container is removed from thermostration chamber for measurement, then measurement accessibility improves, but temperature stability deteriorates disrupting measurement conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The lid of the product container is designed with multi-functionality: it serves as both the closure for the container and as the mounting location for the sensor device. This allows measurements to be taken through the lid without removing the container from the thermostration chamber, maintaining both accessibility and temperature stability
Solution Approach 2:
The lid acts as an intermediary structure that provides access for the sensor device to measure parameters of the foodstuff without requiring removal of the container from the controlled environment. The sensor penetrates or contacts the foodstuff through the lid, enabling measurement while the container remains in the temperature-controlled chamber
4Temperature
If cooling system uses simple design, then device complexity is reduced, but cooling performance deteriorates insufficiently simulating practical conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system uses a programmable control unit that can dynamically adjust cooling parameters according to predetermined time-temperature programs. The system can simulate various practical temperature profiles including cooling phases, storage phases at different temperatures, and temperature fluctuations, adapting the cooling performance to match real-world conditions rather than using fixed simple cooling
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 accurate, continuous, and faultless monitoring of foodstuff quality by simulating practical conditions, reducing human intervention, and providing flexible, modular measurements for various food products.
Implementation Method 1
the cold buffer comprises a buffer holder with a phase-transition material (PCM)
Implementation Method 2
the cold buffer comprises a buffer holder with a phase-transition material (PCM)
Implementation Method 3
the refrigerant circuit comprises a closed-circuit line which is filled with a liquid refrigerant and is in heat-exchanging contact with the interior space and with the cold buffer
Implementation Method 4
a heating and cooling device for cooling and/or heating the interior space
Implementation Method 5
a heating and cooling device for cooling and/or heating the interior space
Data Source
AI summary
A measuring system for automatically determining and/or monitoring the quality of a liquid or viscous foodstuff, including a housing with an interior space for a product container for the foodstuff, the product container has a product space for the foodstuff and a lid provided with a probe with a thermometer, a heating and cooling device for the interior space, a sensor device for determining a non-temperature quality-related parameter value of the foodstuff, and a control unit designed to control the measuring system, measure, store, process and/or export the measured parameter values, and to control the heating and/or the cooling system according to a desired time-temperature program. The cooling system includes a cold buffer, a cooler for the cold buffer, and a separate refrigerant circuit. The cold buffer includes a buffer holder with a phase-transition material, wherein the refrigerant circuit includes a cooling circuit with a pump.