Coffee Roaster Sensor Placement for Accurate Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee bean roasting apparatuses face challenges in accurately measuring the temperature of coffee beans due to sensor placement issues, leading to unreliable readings and increased costs from wear and tear caused by smoke and dirt.
Innovation Solution
A coffee bean roasting apparatus with a temperature sensor positioned on the outer sidewall of the roasting chamber, allowing indirect measurement of the coffee beans' temperature while avoiding direct contact with smoke and dirt, and using a recess to enhance protection and proximity to the beans for improved reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is placed inside the chamber in direct contact with coffee beans, then the measurement precision is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to exposure to smoke and dirt causing drift and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the chamber wall as an intermediary medium between the temperature sensor and the coffee beans. The sensor measures temperature through the wall material, which acts as a mediator that transmits thermal information while protecting the sensor from direct exposure to harmful factors like smoke and dirt.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensor measures a copy of the temperature information through the chamber wall rather than directly contacting the beans. The wall transmits thermal signals that represent the bean temperature without requiring physical contact, allowing indirect measurement that avoids contamination.
2Reliability
If the temperature sensor is arranged upstream of the roasting chamber, then the reliability is improved by avoiding exposure to smoke and dirt, but the measurement precision deteriorates because the sensor measures higher temperature before heat transfer to coffee beans
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber wall serves as a thermal intermediary that couples the upstream sensor position with the coffee bean temperature field. By placing the sensor on the outer surface of the wall, the system uses the wall material itself as a mediator to transmit accurate bean temperature information to the sensor without requiring the sensor to be in direct contact with beans or positioned upstream where temperatures are higher.
3Reliability
If the temperature sensor is placed on the outer side of the sidewall, then the reliability is improved by reducing exposure to wear and harmful factors, but the measurement precision may deteriorate due to distance from coffee beans
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the chamber wall (such as thickness and thermal conductivity) to optimize heat transmission. By adjusting these parameters, the wall becomes sufficiently transparent to thermal energy to allow the outer-surface sensor to accurately measure bean temperature while maintaining protection from harmful factors.
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 provides a more reliable and cost-effective temperature measurement, reducing the need for complex protection and enhancing the apparatus's ability to accurately control the roasting process while maintaining the freshness and flavor of the coffee beans.
Implementation Method 1
A temperature sensor is provided at the outer side of the sidewall for sensing a temperature inside of the chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for simpler sensing the temperature in roasting of coffee. The apparatus (1) is provided for roasting coffee beans and comprises: a chamber (to) in which coffee beans can be received for roasting, and a device (80) for roasting the coffee beans received in the chamber (to). The chamber (to) is delimited by at least a bottom (n) and a sidewall (12) extending from the bottom (11), wherein the sidewall (12) comprises an outer side (121) oriented to face away from the chamber (10), and wherein a temperature sensor (90) is provided at the outer side (121) of the sidewall (12) for sensing a temperature inside of the chamber (10).