Product Temperature Determination Using AI-Assisted Coefficients
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining product temperature in refrigeration environments rely on air temperature measurements, which do not accurately represent the temperature of products due to temperature distribution and product-specific properties, leading to potential food safety issues and unnecessary discarding of products.
Innovation Solution
A method using a product coefficient and repositioning coefficient, determined through a two-step process involving artificial intelligence, to convert ambient temperature into product temperature, considering product and environmental properties without requiring complex calculations or direct knowledge of physical variables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If air temperature measurement is used to determine product temperature, then measurement simplicity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data processing unit that acts as an intermediary between the air temperature sensor and the product temperature determination. This unit applies heat transfer models and product-specific parameters to convert air temperature measurements into accurate product temperature estimates, resolving the contradiction by maintaining measurement simplicity while achieving precision through computational mediation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical/physical temperature measurement of the product (which would require contact with the product) with a computational approach using air temperature data and heat transfer calculations. This substitution maintains ease of operation while achieving accurate product temperature determination through mathematical modeling rather than direct physical measurement.
2Measurement precision
If manual spot check measurements are performed, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the monitoring system to determine product temperature continuously and non-invasively using ambient temperature sensors and computational models. This eliminates the need for manual spot checks that require piercing or removing products for temperature measurement, thereby preventing food waste while maintaining accurate temperature monitoring through self-service capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual physical measurement methods (piercing thermometers requiring product removal or destruction) with a computational system that calculates product temperature from environmental sensor data. This substitution eliminates the harmful effect of food discarding while maintaining measurement precision through mathematical modeling of heat transfer processes.
3Measurement precision
If product-specific physical properties are considered, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data processing unit with pre-stored product parameters (heat capacity, thermal conductivity, density) that acts as an intermediary. This unit automatically selects and applies appropriate physical properties based on product type without requiring complex user input or manual configuration, thereby achieving high measurement precision while keeping the device interface simple and user-friendly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary preparation by pre-storing product-specific physical parameters (heat capacity, thermal conductivity, density) in the device memory before actual temperature measurement. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly and accurately determine product temperature during operation without requiring complex real-time calculations or user input, thus improving precision without significantly increasing operational complexity.
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 method provides accurate product temperature determination, reducing the need for spot checks and discarding of food, while allowing for efficient calculation on mobile devices, such as smartphones, and accounting for temperature distribution within environments.
Implementation Method 1
heat capacity and coefficient of heat transfer of the product
Implementation Method 2
heat conduction resistance of the package
Implementation Method 3
convection in environment
Implementation Method 4
a temperature equalization will take place, so that after a certain time T1=T2. The system has thus reached the state of maximum entropy. This equalization state can be approximated as an e function.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a temperature of a product within a defined environment, in which the ambient temperature is measured at at least one position, and a product temperature is ascertained from the ambient temperature taking into consideration a product coefficient c. The product coefficient c is previously ascertained in a two-step method, wherein in a first step an approximate value for the product coefficient c is ascertained by an artificial intelligence, AI, and in a second step the product coefficient c is determined starting from the approximate value and at least one control measurement.