Coffee Bean Roasting Layout for Cleaner Airflow and Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing small-scale coffee bean roasting apparatuses using fluidized bed technology suffer from compactness issues, dirt accumulation on air drivers and heaters, and inaccurate temperature measurement due to the vertical alignment of components, leading to inefficient cleaning and unreliable roasting profiles.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus positions the air driver and electrical heater aside the bottom opening of the roasting chamber, using guiding means to convert the airflow direction and incorporate swirling ducts for homogeneous temperature control, with temperature probes placed downstream to avoid dirt accumulation and ensure accurate measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the air driver and heater are positioned vertically below the roasting chamber bottom opening, then the apparatus achieves compactness, but dirt and particles accumulate on these components during operation and cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the air driver and heater from a vertical alignment below the chamber to a horizontal arrangement beside the chamber bottom opening. This dimensional change in component layout maintains compactness while eliminating the direct path for dirt and particles to accumulate on these components during roasting operations and cleaning cycles.
2Reliability
If the temperature probe is positioned upstream the air heater to control roasting profile, then temperature control is achieved, but the probe becomes dirtied which affects measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature probe from its traditional position upstream of the heater and relocates it downstream, where it measures the temperature of air after it has been heated. This positioning removes the probe from the dirt-prone upstream area while maintaining its ability to control the roasting profile through temperature feedback.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the air driver and heater are positioned aside the bottom opening, then dirt accumulation is prevented, but the airflow direction must be converted using guiding means
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces guiding means as intermediary structures that redirect airflow from the horizontally positioned air driver to the vertical upward flow required inside the chamber. These guiding elements solve the airflow direction problem while maintaining the beneficial side positioning of the air driver and heater away from the chamber bottom opening.
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
This configuration prevents dirt from settling on the air driver and heater, maintains airflow homogeneity, and ensures precise temperature regulation, resulting in a compact, efficient, and reliable roasting process.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical heater positioned upstream the bottom opening of the chamber and configured to heat the flow air before it is introduced inside the roasting chamber
Implementation Method 2
The chamber extends along a chamber axis from said bottom opening and said axis is preferably essentially vertical in order to enable the production of a fluidized bed of hot air when hot air is introduced through the bottom opening
Implementation Method 3
The apparatus comprises at least one guiding means to convert the direction of the flow of air : from the direction along the initial air axis at the air driver, into an upwardly direction along the roasting chamber axis at the bottom opening of the roasting chamber
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5E
AI summary
The invention concerns an apparatus (10) for roasting coffee beans comprising : - a housing (7), - a roasting chamber (1) presenting a bottom opening (11), said chamber extending along a chamber axis, preferably essentially vertical, from said bottom opening, - an air driver configured to drive a flow of air inside the roasting chamber through the bottom opening of said chamber, - an electrical heater (3) configured to heat air driven inside the roasting chamber, wherein : - the air driver (2) and the electrical heater (3) are positioned aside the area vertically below the bottom opening (11) of the roasting chamber.