Bean Permeation Estimation Through Soaking Solution Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The determination of the suitable soaking time for beans varies based on their condition before treatment, making it difficult to monitor and quantify the soaking process accurately, which affects the quality and efficiency of processed products.
Innovation Solution
A permeation estimation apparatus and method that uses sensors to measure component concentrations in the soaking solution, allowing for quantitative evaluation of the soaking process and determining the optimal end time based on predetermined ranges and relationships between component concentration and permeation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If soaking treatment is performed on beans, then the beans become more processable and nutritious, but the optimal soaking time varies depending on initial bean conditions making it difficult to determine the correct treatment duration
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the concentration of eluted components in the soaking solution and feeds this information back to the controller, which adjusts the soaking process accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the system to determine the optimal soaking time dynamically based on actual permeation rates, resolving the uncertainty about when to end the soaking process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual or time-based soaking determination with an automated sensing and control system. Instead of relying on fixed time schedules or manual inspection, the system uses sensors to detect component concentrations and automatically determines when the soaking process should end, eliminating the time loss associated with trial-and-error or fixed-duration approaches.
2Manufacturing precision
If the soaking time is extended to ensure adequate permeation, then better processing results are achieved, but excessive soaking time increases processing duration and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The real-time monitoring of component concentration provides feedback on the permeation progress, allowing the system to identify the precise moment when adequate permeation is achieved. This prevents both under-soaking (which would compromise quality) and over-soaking (which would reduce productivity), optimizing the balance between manufacturing precision and processing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static, fixed-time soaking approach to a dynamic, adaptive process that adjusts based on actual permeation rates. By continuously measuring concentration changes and responding accordingly, the system can optimize soaking duration for each batch, achieving consistent quality while minimizing processing time.
3Measurement precision
If quantitative monitoring of soaking process is implemented, then accurate determination of treatment end time is achieved, but additional measurement and control equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the soaking solution itself as an intermediary medium for measurement. By monitoring the concentration of components that naturally elute from the beans into the soaking water, the system obtains indirect but accurate information about the permeation process without requiring direct measurement of the beans themselves, simplifying the overall measurement approach.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of directly measuring complex physical changes in the beans, the system measures the concentration of eluted components in the soaking solution, which serves as a simplified copy or proxy for the permeation state. This indirect measurement approach reduces the complexity of the sensing system while maintaining measurement precision.
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
Improves the accuracy of determining the soaking process end time, stabilizes product quality, reduces waste, and optimizes processing time by quantitatively monitoring the soaking process.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor that measures a concentration of a component, of the soaked material, that is eluted in a soaking solution
Data Source
AI summary
A permeation estimation apparatus includes an interface configured to connect to a sensor that measures a concentration of a component, of a soaked material, that is eluted in a soaking solution in which the soaked material is soaking, and a controller configured to acquire the concentration of the component from the interface and estimate the degree of permeation of the soaking solution with respect to the soaked material based on the measurement result of the concentration of the component.