Optical Coffee Bean Screening With Transparent Track Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a convenient and accurate screening device for coffee beans or grains, particularly for specialty coffee lovers and small quantities of roasted coffee demanders, as existing machines are not suitable for small-scale use.
Innovation Solution
An automatic food inspection device comprising a feeding container, a track conveying device, a transparent track, and an image capture module with image sensors and lighting devices, along with an analysis control module and screening module, to judge and classify the quality of coffee beans or grains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual selection method is used to remove defects in coffee beans, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity and measurement precision are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical selection system with an automated optical inspection system. Image capture modules with sensors and lighting devices automatically detect coffee bean defects, eliminating the need for manual visual inspection and significantly improving productivity while maintaining accurate defect identification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses image capture modules to create optical copies (images) of coffee beans for inspection. The sensors capture visual information of the beans, allowing automated analysis of defects without physically handling or sorting the beans manually, thus improving both productivity and measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If a screening device is provided for small quantities of roasted coffee, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing targeted illumination to specific areas of the coffee beans using lighting devices positioned around the transparent track. The image capture modules focus on capturing images of beans at specific locations, allowing precise quality assessment of individual beans or small batches without requiring complex whole-system illumination or inspection mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a transparent track as an intermediary medium between the coffee beans and the image capture modules. This transparent track allows light to pass through for illumination while enabling clear optical access for image capture, achieving high measurement precision without requiring complex direct-contact inspection mechanisms
3Productivity
If objects accumulate at the entrance of conveying track, then the productivity is reduced, but the device complexity remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a vibrator connected to the conveying track to generate mechanical vibrations that prevent coffee beans from accumulating at the entrance. The vibrations keep the beans moving smoothly along the track, eliminating bottlenecks and maintaining continuous flow, thus improving conveying efficiency and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static conveying track into a dynamic system by adding vibration. The conveying track with vibrator creates dynamic motion that prevents bean accumulation, allowing the system to adapt to varying bean flow rates and maintain smooth operation without requiring complex mechanical feeders or adjustable mechanisms
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
The device provides accurate quality judgment and classification of coffee beans or grains, ensuring high clarity of images and efficient sorting, while being compact and easily portable.
Implementation Method 1
the image capture module includes a plurality of image sensors and a plurality of lighting devices... the lighting devices are also arranged on the both sides of the transparent track to illuminate the transparent track so as to illuminate the objects to be tested passing through the transparent track
Implementation Method 2
the transparent track is a transparent tempered glass track... the lighting devices are also arranged on the both sides of the transparent track to illuminate the transparent track so as to illuminate the objects to be tested passing through the transparent track
Implementation Method 3
the screening module includes a plurality of detectors and a plurality of air nozzles... the air nozzles may change the moving paths of the objects to be tested when the objects to be tested are detected by the detectors and the analysis control module determines the qualities of the objects to be tested are defective
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic food inspection device includes a feeding container, a track conveying device, a transparent track and an image capture module. The feeding container is used for accommodating the objects to be tested, the track conveying device is connected to the feeding container for conveying the objects to be tested, and the transparent track is separated with the track conveying device to further convey the objects to be tested. In addition, the image capture module is located adjacent to the track conveying device and the transparent track to capture images of the objects to be tested to judge the quality of the objects to be tested. In addition, the image capture module includes a plurality of image sensors, and a plurality of lighting devices to illuminate the objects to be tested while passing through the transparent track.