Microwave Fruit Quality Sensing Through Thick Exocarp
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assessing the internal quality of fruits are inefficient and wasteful due to their invasive nature, and non-invasive techniques using short electromagnetic wavelengths provide inaccurate data for fruits with thick exocarps, leading to unnecessary waste and inefficiency in the supply chain.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a microwave measuring system that determines internal fruit quality by measuring the complex reflection coefficient at the Fraunhofer distance, employing a single antenna and a regression model to correlate this coefficient with quality attributes, allowing for a higher dynamic range and accurate assessment without invasive methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive techniques are used to assess internal fruit quality, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases and loss of substance increases due to fruit destruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cutting and invasive physical inspection with electromagnetic radiation (microwave and optical) to assess internal fruit quality. The microwave system measures dielectric properties and the optical system measures light transmission/reflection, both providing internal quality information without physical contact or destruction of the fruit, thereby maintaining productivity while achieving accurate measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic waves as an intermediary to probe internal fruit quality. Microwaves interact with the fruit's dielectric properties and optical waves interact with light transmission characteristics, both serving as mediators that reveal internal quality attributes (ripening stage, sugar content, firmness) without direct mechanical intrusion, thus avoiding fruit destruction while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If microwave radiation is used to penetrate thick exocarp, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement approach by using two distinct electromagnetic systems: a microwave system for deep penetration through thick exocarp to assess internal quality, and an optical system for surface and near-surface characterization. This segmentation allows each system to operate at optimal energy levels for its specific function, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining high measurement precision for both thick and thin exocarp fruits.
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 approach enables precise determination of fruit quality attributes such as ripening stage, shelf life, and flavor, reducing waste by providing non-invasive, accurate, and efficient quality assessment.
Implementation Method 1
A way to address the above problem comes from the availability of non-invasive sensing techniques... techniques based on microwave radiation, e.g. such as techniques based on microwave spectroscopy, where wavelengths are longer than 1 cm
Implementation Method 2
emitting the microwave signal with the same antenna in the Fraunhofer distance, the microwave field is contained, e.g. the large majority of the entire field impacts the fruit and reflects back towards the antenna
Data Source
AI summary
A method for measuring an internal quality of a fruit includes the use of a microwave measuring system. The method and system allow a determination of an internal quality of a fruit with a higher dynamic range. The method and system include measuring a complex reflection coefficient, and using this reflection coefficient as input in a regression model, within the Fraunhofer distance of the antenna.