Apparatus and method for roasting coffee beans
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee roasting devices struggle to achieve optimal roasting quality across varying quantities of coffee beans, leading to issues such as burning or uneven roasting, as roasting parameters like time and temperature cannot be uniformly applied for different quantities.
Innovation Solution
A roasting apparatus with a control system that determines and applies a customized roasting recipe based on the quantity and type of coffee beans, using a database of pre-determined recipes adapted for specific quantities and types, ensuring consistent quality regardless of bean amount.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed roasting recipe is used for all quantities of coffee beans, then the device complexity is reduced and operation is simplified, but the roasting quality deteriorates when the quantity deviates from the standard amount
Solution Approach 1:
The roasting recipe is made dynamic and adaptive rather than fixed. The control system automatically adjusts roasting parameters (temperature, time, air flow) based on the detected quantity of coffee beans, allowing the same device to optimize for different batch sizes without requiring manual reconfiguration by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple roasting parameters simultaneously based on bean quantity: temperature profile, roasting time, and air flow rate. This multi-parameter adaptation ensures that whether roasting a small or large quantity, the optimal sensory profile is achieved without compromising quality.
2Device complexity
If the roasting chamber is sized for a standard quantity of beans, then the device design is simplified, but the adaptability to different quantities is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The roasting chamber is designed to be universally applicable across a wide range of quantities (from 50g to 300g). Rather than designing separate chambers for different quantities, a single chamber design handles all quantities by relying on the control system to adjust parameters, making the device versatile without increasing mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical adaptation (different chamber sizes or configurations) with a control-based system. Instead of physically modifying the chamber for different quantities, sensors and algorithms detect the bean amount and automatically adjust roasting parameters, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic control.
3Device complexity
If uniform roasting parameters are applied to different quantities of beans, then the control system is simpler, but the sensory profile quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that detect the actual quantity of coffee beans and use this information to adjust roasting parameters in real-time. This feedback loop ensures that the sensory profile remains optimal regardless of quantity, as the system continuously adapts based on actual conditions rather than applying fixed parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of the bean quantity before the roasting process begins, allowing it to pre-calculate and select the appropriate roasting parameters. This preliminary action ensures that the correct temperature profile and timing are applied from the start, maintaining quality without requiring complex real-time adjustments during roasting.
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 apparatus ensures that coffee beans are consistently and optimally roasted across different quantities by adjusting temperature profiles in real-time, guaranteeing uniformity and quality, regardless of the quantity or type of beans.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device to heat coffee beans contained in the vessel
Implementation Method 2
heated air is forced through a screen or a perforated plate under the coffee beans with sufficient force to lift the beans
Implementation Method 3
Heat is transferred to the beans as they tumble and circulate within this fluidized bed
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6b
AI summary
The invention concerns an apparatus for roasting coffee beans comprising : - a vessel (1) to contain coffee beans, - a heating device (12) to heat coffee beans contained in the vessel, - a control system (180) operable to control the heating device and configured to apply a roasting recipe (R), wherein for a customised quantity m of coffee beans of type Ny introduced inside the vessel, - the control system is configured to obtain at least the quantity m of coffee beans introduced inside the vessel and the type Ny of coffee beans introduced inside the vessel, and - based on the obtained type Ny, the control system is configured to get access at least to a roasting recipe Ry, said recipe being adapted to the roasting of one pre-determined quantity M of beans of type Ni, and to said pre-determined quantity M, and - based on the accessible roasting recipe Ry and on said obtained quantity m of coffee beans introduced inside the vessel, the control system is configured to determine the roasting recipe (R) to be applied to the quantity m of coffee beans of type Ny introduced inside the vessel.