One-key taking method for ice cream machine

Abstract

The application discloses a one-key material taking control method of an ice cream machine. When the ice cream machine is in a heat preservation standby state and a stirring paddle is running at a low speed, a physical pressing signal of a user to a quick discharging key independently arranged on an operation panel is responded to, a stirring paddle driving motor is directly controlled to continuously run at a preset high speed for a preset time length, and the heat preservation standby state is automatically returned after the time length; a fixed high speed pushing material program is triggered through a special physical key, multi-stage operations such as menu selection and function confirmation are omitted, response delay, abnormality and complicated operation problems caused by adaptive logic or sensing false triggering in the prior art are effectively avoided, the taking material process is controlled by fixed parameters, the coupling degree of software and hardware is low, the system stability is high, and the operation convenience, response speed and use reliability of the household ice cream machine are obviously improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of ice cream machines, specifically to a one-button dispensing control method for ice cream machines. Background Technology

[0002] Unlike commercial ice cream machines, home ice cream makers mostly do not add stabilizers such as xanthan gum and are typically used intermittently, spending most of their time in a keep-warm standby mode. A common-sense issue is that prolonged high-speed churning can cause the fat globule membranes in the ice cream mix to rupture. The originally dispersed fat aggregates and precipitates, forming butter-like solid particles, while water and proteins separate, resulting in a coarse, curd-like texture. This phenomenon is commonly known as fat separation or demulsification. In professional food science, it is specifically called over-churning. Therefore, when making ice cream and keeping it warm, it is best to keep the churning paddle running at a low speed continuously. This prevents the material from freezing and hardening, and also prevents over-churning. Simultaneously, the compressor's refrigeration system should be periodically started and stopped to maintain a general temperature range. When the user needs to dispense the ice cream, the churning paddle should be switched back to high speed to smoothly extrude the semi-solid ice cream.

[0003] Existing products are typically equipped with multiple function levels and adaptive control logic. When picking up materials again after standby, the stirring paddle is usually woken up again by function keys or levels, or some models combine infrared or proximity sensors to automatically trigger wake-up.

[0004] However, such solutions may trigger an adaptive adjustment process due to accidental operation or require additional confirmation or shutdown steps upon wake-up. Furthermore, maintaining complex adaptive functions while supporting automatic wake-up requires tight hardware and software coupling, which is not only costly in home scenarios but also prone to issues such as abnormal response or accidental triggering.

[0005] Therefore, in actual use, users prefer a material handling control method that is easy to operate, has a direct response, and is stable and reliable. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application proposes a one-button feeding control method for an ice cream machine, which directly activates the preset high-speed feeding function through an independent physical button, thereby achieving a feeding control method that is easy to operate, has a direct response, and is stable and reliable.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present application adopts the following technical solution: This application proposes a one-button dispensing control method for an ice cream machine, comprising the following steps: S1: The ice cream machine is in the keep-warm standby mode, and the mixing blade is running continuously at a low speed. S2: Receives the physical press signal of the user on the independently set fast discharge button on the operation panel; S3: Respond to the pressing signal and control the stirring paddle drive motor to run continuously at a preset high speed for a preset time; S4: After the preset time expires, the high-speed operation of the stirring paddle stops, and the machine returns to the heat preservation standby state.

[0008] This application sets up a separate "fast discharge button" that directly executes a preset high-speed material pushing action when triggered by the user, without the need to enter a menu, confirm a function, or perform multiple operations. This avoids the response delays or anomalies caused by adaptive logic or false triggering of sensors in existing solutions.

[0009] Meanwhile, the material handling process is controlled by fixed parameters, resulting in low hardware and software coupling, high system stability, and significantly improved ease of operation, response speed, and reliability in home use scenarios.

[0010] In some possible implementations, the preset duration is 15 to 30 seconds.

[0011] In some possible implementations, the quick discharge button is a non-locking physical switch, and the operation panel is equipped with a corresponding material handling status indicator light or display screen for feedback.

[0012] In some possible implementations, the agitator drive motor rotates at different speeds during food forming, heat preservation, and extrusion.

[0013] In some possible implementations, the operation panel is also provided with multiple independent flavor mode selection buttons, each flavor mode corresponding to a preset discharge temperature threshold Tt.

[0014] In some possible implementations, the control panel is also provided with a flavor fine-tuning button, which the user can use to adjust the discharge temperature threshold Tt of the current flavor mode.

[0015] In some possible implementations, the ice cream machine supports Wi-Fi connectivity, and users can provide feedback on their current flavor preferences via a mobile application. The system then automatically updates the dispensing temperature threshold Tt for the next corresponding flavor mode.

[0016] In some possible implementations, while starting high-speed operation in step S3, the real-time temperature Te inside the freezing chamber is detected; If Te is higher than the preset discharge temperature threshold Tt, the compressor will start cooling simultaneously.

[0017] In some possible implementations, the duration t1 of the compressor cooling does not exceed one-fifth of the preset duration, and during the cooling period, the operation panel displays the cooling operation status.

[0018] In some possible implementations, the duration t1 of the compressor cooling is automatically adjusted based on the cumulative duration of the device being in a heat preservation standby state. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the one-click material handling control method of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the control panel of the ice cream machine of this application; Figure 3 This is an overall schematic diagram of the ice cream machine in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The following examples further illustrate the features of this application and other related features in detail, so as to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art: It should be noted that the terms “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “up,” and “down” used in the following description refer to the directions in the attached diagrams, while the terms “bottom surface,” “top surface,” “inner,” and “outer” refer to the directions toward or away from the geometric center of a specific component, respectively.

[0021] Furthermore, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this case based on the specific circumstances.

[0022] Please refer to Figure 3 A home ice cream maker mainly consists of several core parts: a freezing chamber 1 for holding and freezing the ice cream mix, a mixing paddle 2 that rotates within the chamber to mix and push the mixture, a compressor 3 that provides the cooling source, a control panel 4 for user operation, and a dispensing mechanism 5 that finally extrudes the ice cream. When idle, the machine maintains a low temperature, with the mixing paddle rotating at a low speed to prevent the mixture from freezing; when dispensing, the mixing paddle rotates at high speed to extrude the semi-frozen ice cream from the dispensing port.

[0023] First, let's explain the current usage of home ice cream machines. The application scenarios for home ice cream machines differ fundamentally from those for commercial equipment. In a home environment, users are typically a fixed group of people, with infrequent and non-continuous use; there's no repeated large-volume dispensing within a short period. Furthermore, family members exhibit significant differences in age and taste preferences, leading to varying demands for the final product's form. Common demand patterns include ice cream, smoothies, frozen juice, cold drinks, and alcoholic smoothies. Additionally, for hygiene and flavor switching purposes, a cleaning procedure is required after each use. These characteristics collectively dictate that home ice cream machines must be extremely easy to operate, responsive, have clear operating modes, and be stable and reliable.

[0024] However, most home-use products on the market today follow the design philosophy of commercial machines, excessively pursuing automated and stable material dispensing. This is typically manifested in the setting of complex multi-level functions, dynamically adjusting operating parameters based on time or sensor data during the material dispensing process, or relying on infrared or proximity sensors to automatically wake up the device.

[0025] However, this type of solution has significant drawbacks in home scenarios. On the one hand, the complex adaptive logic, when triggered after standby, can cause unnecessary parameter recalibration or mode switching, resulting in response delays. On the other hand, users often need to manually exit or confirm after retrieving food, a cumbersome process that is easily forgotten. More importantly, sensor-based wake-up is highly susceptible to false triggering due to environmental interference (such as a pet approaching or changes in lighting), and the high degree of hardware and software coupling to support these complex functions not only increases costs but also reduces the overall reliability of the system.

[0026] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 To address the aforementioned issues, this application proposes a one-button dispensing control method for an ice cream machine, comprising the following steps: S1: The ice cream machine is in a heat preservation standby state, and the stirring paddle continuously rotates at a low speed; S2: The machine receives a physical press signal from the user on the independently set fast dispensing button on the operation panel; S3: The machine responds to the press signal and controls the stirring paddle drive motor to continuously rotate at a preset high speed for a preset duration; S4: After the preset duration ends, the high-speed rotation of the stirring paddle is stopped, and the machine returns to the heat preservation standby state.

[0027] In the above method, the equipment remains in a heat-preservation standby state (S1) during non-use periods. During this time, the stirring paddle rotates continuously at a low speed, effectively preventing the material inside the chamber from freezing and hardening due to static conditions. Simultaneously, the compressor's refrigeration system periodically starts and stops to maintain a general temperature range. This general temperature range can be defined as the temperature range maintained between when the compressor starts refrigeration (T2) after the temperature sensor detects it and when the compressor stops refrigeration (T1).

[0028] When a user needs to collect materials, there is no need for any mode selection or menu navigation; they only need to press a dedicated physical button, which is the fast dispensing button described in this application. For example, on the operation panel shown in Figure 2, the "FAST" button is this independently set fast dispensing button. After receiving this physical press signal (S2), the system immediately controls the stirring paddle drive motor to switch to a preset high-speed rotation and maintains this state for a fixed duration (S3). Preferably, the preset duration is set to 15 to 30 seconds, which is sufficient to meet the needs of a family for single or multiple small dispensings. If more quantity is needed, the user can press the fast dispensing button again, and the system will reset the preset duration. After the preset duration ends, the equipment automatically stops high-speed operation and seamlessly returns to the heat preservation standby state (S4). The entire process requires no additional confirmation or shutdown operation, greatly simplifying user interaction and avoiding response delays or anomalies caused by adaptive logic or sensor mis-triggers in existing solutions. Furthermore, since the dispensing process is controlled by fixed parameters, the hardware and software coupling is low, resulting in high system stability.

[0029] Specifically, the quick dispensing button is a non-locking physical switch. Here, "physical switch" refers to a physical component that can be operated by the user through direct pressure applied with their finger, including but not limited to mechanical microswitches, tactile buttons, or touchscreen operable areas, ensuring reliable triggering even in typical household environments. "Non-locking" means that the switch has no internal mechanical locking mechanism. When the user presses it, the circuit is activated, generating a signal; when the finger is removed, it automatically resets to the off state, ensuring that each press is an independent and clear instruction, effectively preventing status confusion. Simultaneously, the control panel has corresponding dispensing status indicators, such as displaying "Dispensing" on the screen, illuminating a dedicated LED, or using the button itself for backlighting, providing clear operational feedback to the user.

[0030] In actual implementation, the stirring paddle drive motor executes different speed control strategies according to the working stage of the ice cream machine, such as different speeds during food forming, heat preservation, and extrusion. During food forming, the mixture is injected into the freezing chamber, and the stirring paddle, in conjunction with the refrigeration system, stirs at a specific speed corresponding to a preset flavor mode to form food with ideal texture and shape, such as ice cream. Different flavor modes correspond to different stirring speeds to adapt to their raw material characteristics and forming requirements. During heat preservation, after food forming is complete, the entire machine enters the standby process described above for heat preservation, during which the stirring paddle continues to operate at a lower speed. During extrusion, when the user presses the quick discharge button on the control panel, the control system responds immediately, driving the stirring paddle to switch to a preset high-speed speed and maintaining this high-speed operation for a fixed preset duration.

[0031] Furthermore, while starting high-speed operation in step S3, the system monitors the real-time temperature Te within the freezing chamber (the chamber for mixing the slurry). Since the temperature in the heat preservation standby mode fluctuates within a range (as described above, T1 to T2), if Te happens to be at the upper limit of this range (i.e., too high) at the time of material dispensing, it may affect the viscosity and texture of the final product. Therefore, if Te is detected to be higher than the preset dispensing temperature threshold Tt corresponding to the currently selected flavor mode, the system will simultaneously activate the compressor for cooling. This dispensing temperature threshold Tt can be set according to different flavor requirements, and is typically slightly higher than or equal to the lower limit T1 of the heat preservation range.

[0032] To balance cooling effect and material handling efficiency, the duration t1 of compressor cooling is strictly limited to no more than one-fifth of the preset duration. For example, in a 25-second material handling cycle, cooling lasts for a maximum of 5 seconds. During this period, the operation panel will clearly display the cooling status (such as a snowflake icon or "Cooling in progress"), allowing users to choose to wait for cooling to complete for better taste or continue material handling. Furthermore, considering that the longer the equipment remains in standby mode, the greater the potential temperature rise of the material inside the chamber, the system will automatically adjust t1 based on this cumulative duration to provide stronger immediate cooling compensation, ensuring the quality of the first material handling after a long standby period.

[0033] The precise temperature control mentioned above is made possible by the multiple independent flavor mode selection buttons on the control panel. The control panel clearly displays buttons for "ICE CREAM," "SLUSH," "FROZEN JUICE," "COLD DRINK," and "SPIKED SLUSH." Each button corresponds to a preset beverage type and is associated with a specific dispensing temperature threshold Tt. For example, the Tt for "ICE CREAM" might be set to -6°C, while the Tt for "COLD DRINK" might be -1°C. This preset-mode-based approach, rather than complex algorithms, abandons the industry-preferred automatic judgment logic and instead adopts deterministic control more suited to the needs of a fixed family member. This ensures the stability of Tt each time beverage is dispensed, allowing the entire temperature control strategy to rely solely on a single cavity temperature sensor and a simple cooling compensation, significantly improving the system's robustness.

[0034] Furthermore, to cater to individual preferences, the control panel also features flavor adjustment buttons. Users can adjust the flavor using the "+" and "+" buttons. "Two buttons allow for fine-tuning of the dispensing temperature threshold Tt based on the currently selected flavor mode. For example, users who prefer firmer ice cream can lower Tt by 0.5°C. Furthermore, the ice cream machine supports establishing a Wi-Fi connection via the "CONNET" button. Users can use a mobile application to rate the firmness of each serving or directly provide feedback on their preferences. After collecting this data, the cloud server or local controller can automatically update the default Tt value for the user's corresponding flavor mode using a simple learning algorithm (such as a moving average). After repeated use, the system can converge to the flavor preference matrix of 'firmness-coldness' that best matches the user's preference, achieving a truly personalized experience."

[0035] As stated above, this case protects a one-button dispensing control method for an ice cream machine, and all technical solutions that are the same as or similar to this case should be considered to fall within the scope of protection of this case.

Claims

1. A one-button dispensing control method for an ice cream machine, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1: The ice cream machine is in the keep-warm standby mode, and the mixing blade is running continuously at a low speed. S2: Receives the physical press signal of the user on the independently set fast discharge button on the operation panel; S3: Respond to the pressing signal and control the stirring paddle drive motor to run continuously at a preset high speed for a preset time; S4: After the preset time expires, the high-speed operation of the stirring paddle stops, and the machine returns to the heat preservation standby state.

2. The one-button dispensing control method for an ice cream machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The preset duration is 15 to 30 seconds.

3. The one-button dispensing control method for an ice cream machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The quick discharge button is a non-locking physical switch, and the operation panel has a corresponding material handling status indicator light or display screen for feedback.

4. The one-button dispensing control method for an ice cream machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The stirring paddle drive motor rotates at different speeds during food forming, heat preservation, and extrusion processes.

5. The one-button dispensing control method for an ice cream machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The control panel also has multiple independent flavor mode selection buttons, each flavor mode corresponding to a preset discharge temperature threshold Tt.

6. The one-button dispensing control method for an ice cream machine as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The control panel is also equipped with a flavor fine-tuning button, which allows users to adjust the discharge temperature threshold Tt of the current flavor mode.

7. The one-button dispensing control method for an ice cream machine as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The ice cream machine supports Wi-Fi connectivity, and users can provide feedback on their current flavor preferences via a mobile application. The system will then automatically update the dispensing temperature threshold Tt for the next corresponding flavor mode.

8. The one-button dispensing control method for an ice cream machine as described in claim 5, characterized in that, While starting high-speed operation in step S3, the real-time temperature Te inside the freezing chamber is detected. If Te is higher than the preset discharge temperature threshold Tt, the compressor will start cooling simultaneously.

9. The one-button dispensing control method for an ice cream machine as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The duration t1 of the compressor's cooling operation does not exceed one-fifth of the preset duration, and during the cooling period, the operation panel displays the cooling operation status.

10. The one-button dispensing control method for an ice cream machine as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The duration t1 of compressor cooling is automatically adjusted based on the cumulative duration of the equipment in heat preservation standby mode.

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