Coffee Bean Roasting Apparatus with Air-Driven Discharge Port
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee bean roasting apparatuses require manual handling of hot roasted beans, which is dangerous and inefficient, and automated removal is difficult due to the weight and agitation of beans by roasting and cooling air currents.
Innovation Solution
A coffee bean roasting apparatus with a movable discharge port that switches between closed and open positions, using the same air current for roasting and discharging, positioned closer to the bottom to minimize energy use, and optionally assisted by a motor, allowing for automated or manual operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual handling of roasted coffee beans is used, then the user can directly transfer beans to further processing equipment, but the user may get hurt due to touching hot parts and the process is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated air current system. A fan generates an air current that agitates the coffee beans and transports them through a discharge port to a collection container, eliminating direct user contact with hot beans and improving efficiency through automated removal
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic principles by employing a fan to create an air current flow through the roasting chamber. This air current serves dual purposes: agitating the beans during roasting and transporting them during discharge, enabling automated bean removal without mechanical contact from the user
2Object-affected harmful factors
If automated removal of roasted coffee beans is implemented, then the user safety is improved, but a certain amount of energy is required to drive the coffee beans and the automation is difficult due to bean weight and air current agitation
Solution Approach 1:
The fan-generated air current performs multiple functions: it agitates the coffee beans during the roasting phase for even heating, and then transports the roasted beans during the discharge phase. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanisms, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining user safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the air current characteristics based on the operational phase. During roasting, the air current provides gentle agitation; during discharge, the same air current is utilized to transport the beans. This dynamic utilization of the air current system optimizes energy efficiency across different operational states
3Ease of operation
If the discharge port is positioned higher in the chamber, then the beans can be more easily discharged, but more energy is required to transport the beans vertically to the discharge port
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning the discharge port at the top of the chamber, the invention places it on the sidewall at a lower position. The air current transports beans horizontally along the sidewall to the discharge port, changing the transport dimension from vertical to horizontal, thereby reducing the energy required to overcome gravity
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
Facilitates safe, efficient, and energy-efficient discharge of roasted beans without direct handling, reducing the risk of burns and optimizing apparatus size and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a heater for heating air so that the so heated air is blown by the device into the chamber in order to generate the heated current of air
Implementation Method 2
a device for generating a current of air in order to agitate the coffee beans received by the chamber
Implementation Method 3
hot air flow generated is discharged into a roasting container from air supply holes of a head portion to roast the raw coffee beans
Implementation Method 4
the roasted coffee beans are loaded into the grinding portion by gravitational force
Data Source
Figure 1~4
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Figure 9~11
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for more convenient roasting of coffee. The apparatus (1) in particular facilitates an improved means for discharging or ejecting the so roasted coffee beans from the apparatus (1). The apparatus (1), which may be a home appliance apparatus, comprises a chamber (10) in which coffee beans can be received for roasting. The apparatus (1) further comprises a device for generating a current of air in order to agitate the coffee beans received by the chamber (10). The chamber (10) is delimited by a bottom (11), a top (12), and a sidewall (13) extending from the bottom (11) to the top (12), wherein the sidewall (13) comprises a discharge port (30), which is selectively moveable between a closed position and an open position, such that the current of air generated by the device can drive the coffee beans through the discharge port (30) to be discharged from the chamber (10), when the discharge port (30) is in the open position.