Coffee Roaster Chamber Locking for Precise Alignment and Cleaning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee bean roasting apparatuses with fluidized bed technology face issues of misalignment during chamber connection, leading to pressure points and require frequent greasing and cleaning of the clamp mechanism due to hot temperatures, making operations inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A roasting apparatus with a chamber locking assembly featuring a bottom device for vertical immobilization and a top fastening device with a translatable connecting conduit that allows for alignment without rotation, ensuring secure and easy connection and disconnection of the roasting chamber, with detachable parts for cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clamp mechanism with screwing parts is used to connect the chamber, then the chamber can be securely fixed, but the mechanism requires frequent greasing and cleaning due to hot temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional screwing clamp mechanism with a lever-operated locking system. The lever (515) actuates a translatable tube that moves the chamber vertically into place, eliminating threaded connections that require greasing. The locking is achieved through the lever mechanism itself rather than screw threads, substituting a simpler mechanical system that doesn't accumulate dust or require lubrication in high-temperature environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the greasing and cleaning requirements from the connection mechanism by eliminating screwing parts entirely. The design removes the problematic elements (threads, lubrication points) from the system, leaving only the lever-operated translation mechanism which doesn't require maintenance in the high-temperature roasting environment.
2Reliability
If the chamber is connected using a clamp mechanism, then the chamber can be fixed, but misalignment creates strong pressure in some parts of the bottom outlet and chamber opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic alignment process where the chamber is first positioned in a preliminary manner, then fine-tuned during the locking process. The lever mechanism allows for gradual translation and adjustment of the chamber position, enabling the operator to achieve precise alignment before final locking. This dynamic adjustment capability ensures proper alignment of the bottom outlet and chamber opening, preventing misalignment-induced pressure issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary positioning actions before final locking. The chamber is first inserted into the housing in a rough position, then the lever mechanism is used to translate and precisely align the chamber with the bottom outlet and opening. This preliminary action followed by precise adjustment ensures proper alignment before the connection is finalized, preventing misalignment problems.
3Ease of operation
If the chamber is made removable for easy cleaning, then maintenance is facilitated, but tight connection during operation is more difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a dynamic locking mechanism where the lever (515) translates the chamber vertically to achieve both removal and secure connection. The same mechanism that enables easy removal also ensures tight connection during operation, resolving the contradiction between removability and connection reliability. The chamber can be easily removed by reversing the lever action, yet when locked, provides a tight seal.
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 solution ensures precise alignment and secure connection of the roasting chamber, reducing wear and tear, eliminating the need for frequent greasing, and facilitating easy cleaning and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
Within such a chamber, heated air is forced through a screen or a perforated plate under the coffee beans with sufficient force to lift the beans. Heat is transferred to the beans as they tumble and circulate within this fluidized bed.
Implementation Method 2
Heat is transferred to the beans as they tumble and circulate within this fluidized bed.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~6B
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for roasting coffee beans comprising : - a housing (4), - a roasting chamber (1) presenting a bottom opening (11) and a top opening (12), - a smoke and particles collector (6) configured to collect smoke and particles from the top opening (12) of the roasting chamber, - the roasting chamber (1) being removably mounted to the housing (4), the bottom opening (11) of the roasting chamber cooperating with a hot air outlet hole (41) of the housing and the top opening (12) of the roasting chamber cooperating with the smoke and particles collector (6) when the roasting chamber is mounted to the housing, - a chamber locking assembly (5) for locking the roasting chamber to the housing in a removable manner, wherein said chamber locking assembly (5) comprises :. a bottom device (51) for connecting the bottom opening (11) of the chamber to the hot air outlet hole (41) of the housing, said bottom device being configured to receive the bottom (1a) of the chamber and to hold the chamber,. a top fastening device (52) for connecting the top opening (12) of the chamber to the smoke and particles collector (6).