Apparatus and method for roasting coffee beans
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee roasting technologies struggle to maintain optimal roasting quality across varying quantities of coffee beans, often resulting in burnt or unevenly roasted beans due to fixed roasting parameters.
Innovation Solution
A roasting apparatus with a control system that adapts roasting recipes based on the quantity and type of coffee beans, using a series of pre-determined recipes to determine the optimal temperature profile for any given quantity, ensuring consistent quality regardless of bean amount.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fixed roasting parameters are used, then the roasting process is simple to operate, but the roasting quality deteriorates when bean quantity varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of roasting parameters (temperature, time, airflow) based on the detected quantity of coffee beans. The control system automatically modifies the roasting profile to match the bean quantity, transforming the fixed parameter approach into a dynamic adaptive system that maintains optimal roasting conditions regardless of batch size.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple roasting parameters simultaneously based on bean quantity detection. When the quantity of beans varies, the control system adjusts temperature profiles, heating duration, and airflow rates to compensate, ensuring that the thermal and mass transfer conditions remain optimal for achieving consistent roasting quality across different batch sizes.
2Quantity of substance
If the roasting chamber is sized for large quantities, then large batches can be roasted, but small batches suffer from uneven or burnt roasting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic parameter adjustment to adapt the roasting process to the actual bean quantity in the chamber. Whether the chamber contains a small or large quantity of beans, the control system modifies temperature, time, and airflow parameters in real-time to ensure uniform heat distribution and prevent burnt or under-roasted beans, effectively decoupling chamber size from roasting quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements comprehensive parameter changes including temperature profiles, heating duration, and airflow rates based on the detected bean quantity. This multi-parameter adjustment ensures that the thermal field and fluid dynamics are optimized for the specific batch size, maintaining consistent roasting uniformity across the full range of chamber capacities.
3Manufacturing precision
If the roasting chamber is sized for small quantities, then small batches are roasted well, but large batches cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control system that detects the actual bean quantity and automatically adjusts roasting parameters accordingly. This allows the same chamber to successfully roast both small and large batches by transforming the static roasting profile into a dynamic one that adapts to the loaded quantity, effectively expanding the usable capacity range of the chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies comprehensive parameter changes including temperature, time, and airflow based on the detected bean quantity. For larger batches, the system increases heating power and extends duration while maintaining optimal heat distribution, thereby enabling the chamber to handle quantities beyond its original small-batch optimization without sacrificing roasting quality.
4Adaptability or versatility
If standard roasting curves are adapted based on weight, then different quantities can be roasted, but the adaptation method is not clearly defined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback-based control system where the detected bean quantity serves as input to automatically determine the appropriate roasting profile. The system measures the actual quantity of beans loaded and uses this information to select or generate the optimal temperature-time-airflow parameters, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to varying batch sizes without requiring complex manual calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically changes multiple roasting parameters (temperature profiles, heating duration, airflow rates) based on the detected bean quantity. This automated parameter adjustment eliminates the need for manual recipe selection and simplifies the control process, making the adaptation transparent and user-friendly while maintaining versatility across different batch sizes.
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
Ensures correct roasting of coffee beans by dynamically adjusting temperature profiles based on quantity and type, preventing burnt or uneven roasting and maintaining optimal sensory profiles.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device to heat coffee beans contained in the vessel
Implementation Method 2
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.
Data Source
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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) providing the temperature T@t1, T@t2, … to be applied at discrete successive times t1, t2, …, respectively, wherein for a customised quantity m of coffee beans 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 control system is configured to get access to at least one series of roasting recipes (Ri, Ri+1, …) adapted to the roasting of different successive pre-determined quantities (Mi, Mi+1, …) of beans of same type and to said pre-determined quantities Mi, Mi+1, …, and - based on said accessible series of roasting recipes (Ri, Ri+1, …) adapted to the roasting of different successive pre-determined quantities (Mi, Mi+1, …) of beans of same type and based 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 on said obtained quantity m of coffee beans introduced inside the vessel.