Cold Stamping Device Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cold stamping devices for producing shaped consumer goods, such as chocolate shells, face inefficiencies in temperature control and operability, particularly requiring extensive time and equipment for stamp replacement and cooling, which affects the speed and energy efficiency of the process.
Innovation Solution
A cold stamping device featuring a thermoblock with a heat exchange surface and a stamp plate designed for direct thermal contact, utilizing a temperature control medium that flows through inlet and return channels closely arranged to the heat exchange surface, allowing for efficient heat absorption and distribution without additional active cooling devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If stamps are equipped with active cooling devices, then temperature control capability is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces active mechanical cooling devices with passive thermal conduction through the stamp plate. The stamp plate serves dual functions as both the stamp mounting surface and the heat dissipation component, eliminating the need for separate cooling mechanisms while maintaining effective temperature control of the stamps.
Solution Approach 2:
The stamp plate is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the mounting base for stamps, provides structural support, and acts as the primary heat dissipation component through its thermal conduction to the cooled anvil surface, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
2Temperature
If stamps are cooled actively during operation, then temperature control is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system operates periodically rather than continuously. The anvil is cooled during stamp operation when heat generation occurs, and the stamp plate retains this cooling capability without requiring continuous energy input, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The stamp plate itself serves as the cooling medium by conducting heat from the stamps to the cooled anvil surface. This self-cooling mechanism eliminates the need for external energy-consuming cooling devices attached to each stamp, reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective temperature control.
3Ease of operation
If base plate is disconnected from tempering medium for stamp removal, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into the stamp plate assembly and the cooled anvil base. This allows the stamp plate to be independently removed and replaced without disconnecting the entire cooling system or base plate, enabling quick stamp changes while maintaining the cooling function, thus improving both ease of operation and productivity.
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 configuration enables efficient temperature control of the stamps, reducing the need for additional cooling systems and allowing for faster processing times, improving the overall operability and energy efficiency of the cold stamping process.
Implementation Method 1
The thermoblock comprises at least one heat exchange surface... Heat exchange here refers to temperature equalization. The heat exchange surface primarily serves to cool the stamping plate
Implementation Method 2
The stamp plate comprises a, preferably flat, contact surface which can be brought into thermally conductive contact with the heat exchange surface of the thermoblock
Implementation Method 3
The chamber comprises at least one inlet channel and at least one return channel, which are fluidically connected to each other. The inlet channel is arranged closer to the heat exchange surface than the return channel
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cold stamping device for producing shaped food products from a food mass, in particular a fat mass, preferably a cocoa-containing and/or chocolate-like fat mass, and to a method for commissioning and operating a cold stamping device. The cold stamping device (100) comprises at least one stamping plate (10) with at least one stamp (11), and at least one thermoblock (20) which has a base body (21) with at least one chamber (22) for passing a temperature control medium. The thermoblock (20) has at least one inlet opening (23) and at least one outlet opening (24), which are fluidly connected to the chamber (22). The stamping plate (10) comprises a contact surface (12), and the contact surface (12) can be brought into thermally conductive contact with a heat exchange surface (25) of the thermoblock (20).The chamber (22) comprises at least one inlet channel (26) and at least one return channel (27). The inlet channel (26) is arranged closer to the heat exchange surface (25) than the return channel (27), the chamber (22) being arranged such that the temperature control medium flows from the inlet opening (23) to the outlet opening (24) first through the inlet channel (26) and then through the return channel (27).