Coffee Roasting Control Using Power Drop Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Roasting apparatuses for partially pre-roasted coffee beans face risks of fire and poor quality due to incorrect bean loading, such as introducing green or fully roasted beans, especially when operated by non-experts, without costly detectors to differentiate the beans.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a control system that monitors electrical power consumption to detect the first crack stage of roasting, using a temperature versus time profile, and stops heating if no decrease in power consumption occurs after a set reference time, preventing incorrect roasting and potential fires, and allowing for identification of bean type through manual input or automatic means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a roasting apparatus is configured for roasting partially roasted beans only, then the roasting process is simplified and smoke generation is reduced, but there is a risk that users may erroneously introduce green beans or fully roasted beans leading to fire hazards or poor quality
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors electrical power consumption during roasting and uses this feedback to detect the first crack stage. By comparing real-time power consumption patterns against expected profiles, the system can identify when green beans or fully roasted beans are being processed, and automatically stop heating to prevent fire hazards or quality degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-diagnosis by monitoring its own power consumption characteristics during the roasting process. The control system detects anomalies in power usage patterns that indicate incorrect bean types, enabling the apparatus to automatically adjust or terminate the process without external intervention or costly external detectors.
2Reliability
If costly detectors such as code readers, color sensors, or humidity sensors are used to identify bean types, then fire safety and quality control are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or optical detection systems (code readers, color sensors, humidity sensors) with an electrical measurement system that monitors power consumption. This substitution uses electrical parameters already inherent in the roasting process to infer bean type, eliminating the need for additional costly detectors while maintaining fire safety and quality control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses the roasting apparatus's own electrical power consumption data to identify bean types and prevent fire hazards. This self-diagnostic capability eliminates the need for external detection devices, reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining high reliability.
3Productivity
If the roasting apparatus uses a fixed heating profile for partially roasted beans, then the roasting process is efficient and quick, but it cannot adapt if green beans or fully roasted beans are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the heating profile based on real-time monitoring of electrical power consumption. Instead of using a fixed heating curve, the system modifies heating parameters in response to detected power consumption patterns, enabling it to adapt to different bean types (green beans, partially roasted beans, fully roasted beans) while maintaining efficient roasting speeds for the correct input material.
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
Effectively prevents fires and ensures optimal roasting quality by accurately identifying the type of coffee beans, avoiding the risks associated with incorrect bean loading without the need for costly detectors, thus ensuring safe and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical heating device to heat coffee beans contained in the vessel
Implementation Method 2
at least one temperature sensor to measure temperature in the vessel
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention concerns an apparatus for roasting coffee beans comprising : - a vessel (1) to contain coffee beans, - an electrical heating device (13) to heat coffee beans contained in the vessel, - at least one temperature sensor (23) to measure temperature in the vessel, - a control system (180) operable to control the heating device, wherein the control system is configured to : - apply a roasting recipe dedicated to the roasting of partially pre- roasted beans comprising at least a temperature versus time profile by controlling the electrical heating device based on the measure of the temperature sensor, - detect a decrease of the consumption of electrical power of the heating device in function of time, - stop heating if no decrease of the consumption of electrical power happens after a set reference time ti. - continue or stop the electrical heating device depending on the type of identified beans.