Food Moisture Detection With Coil-Loop Electromagnetic Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting moisture content in food products, such as fruit, are inaccurate and can incorrectly categorize fruits, adding undesirable moisture and affecting shelf life, especially when relying on visual appearance and infrared cameras.
Innovation Solution
A water detection apparatus using a coil loop detection system with transmitter and receiver coils to measure the disruption of a magnetic field by the food product, determining water activity levels through resistive and reactive effects, and sorting fruits based on learned thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual appearance and infrared cameras are used to detect moisture content, then the detection process is simple and non-contact, but the measurement precision is poor leading to incorrect categorization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical detection methods (infrared cameras, visual appearance analysis) with electromagnetic field-based detection using transmitter and receiver coils. The coils generate and detect electromagnetic fields that interact with the food product's moisture content, providing more accurate measurements without requiring complex optical systems or contact-based sampling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic fields as an intermediary between the detection system and the food product. The transmitter coils generate electromagnetic fields that penetrate the product, and the receiver coils detect the modified fields, allowing non-contact measurement of moisture content through the electromagnetic field interaction rather than direct optical or mechanical contact.
2Productivity
If sampling methods are used to determine moisture content, then the detection process is simple, but the productivity is reduced due to time-consuming sampling and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the food product to essentially measure itself through its interaction with the electromagnetic fields. The product's own physical properties (moisture content) directly affect the electromagnetic field transmission, eliminating the need for external sampling, laboratory analysis, or complex processing steps to determine moisture content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows for continuous, real-time moisture content detection as food products move through the detection apparatus. Unlike batch sampling methods that require stopping production for sampling and analysis, the electromagnetic field detection can operate continuously during the food flow, maintaining productivity while providing accurate moisture measurements.
3Reliability
If inaccurate detection methods are used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability is poor leading to incorrect fruit categorization and quality issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces unreliable visual and infrared detection methods with electromagnetic field-based measurement. The transmitter and receiver coils create a controlled electromagnetic environment that provides consistent, reliable measurements of moisture content, enabling accurate fruit categorization without the inconsistencies of optical methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the receiver coils continuously monitor the electromagnetic field changes caused by the food product's moisture content. This feedback signal is processed to determine moisture levels, providing reliable and repeatable measurements that enable consistent fruit grading and categorization.
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
Accurately measures and sorts food products by moisture content in real-time, improving quality and consistency without adding moisture, and reducing the need for sampling, thus enhancing processing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one transmitter coil configured to transmit a signal within the aperture, wherein the at least one food product alters the signal; at least one receiver coil configured to receive the altered signal
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a water detection apparatus are disclosed that can detect characteristics of food products. The apparatus may include a conveying mechanism configured to move a food product through an aperture in the apparatus, a transmitter coil configured to transmit a signal within the aperture, and a receiver coil configured to receive the signal altered by the food product, and a signal processing unit configured to determine an output value associated with the food product moving through the aperture. The output value can be based, at least in part, on the signal and the altered signal. The output value can corresponds to a characteristic of the food product.