Tempering Machine With Fixed Separating Disc for Low-Wear Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tempering machines experience wear and tear due to pressure differences causing friction and stress on mixing components, which affects the crystallization of confectionery mass.
Innovation Solution
The tempering machine separates the primary function of heat treatment into a separating disc and the secondary function of mixing into a rotating mixing tool, with the mixing tool mounted to prevent axial movement and wear by using a bearing device, ensuring uniform heat treatment and mixing without direct contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a rotating mixing tool is used to perform both mixing and dividing functions, then the device complexity is reduced, but wear occurs on the mixing components due to pressure differences causing friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the confectionery mass chamber into two separate sub-chambers using a stationary separating disc. The mixing tool is then positioned in only one sub-chamber, separating the mixing function from the dividing function. This segmentation reduces wear by preventing the mixing tool from contacting the separating disc while still achieving effective mixing and division of the confectionery mass.
2Ease of operation
If the mixing tool is allowed to move axially to accommodate pressure differences, then the ease of operation is improved, but friction and stress on components increase causing wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure adaptation function from the mixing tool by introducing a separate, stationary separating disc that absorbs the axial forces generated by pressure differences. The mixing tool is then freed from this constraint and can be mounted on fixed bearings, eliminating friction and stress on the mixing components while still allowing the system to adapt to pressure changes through the stationary disc.
3Manufacturing precision
If the mixing tool contacts the separating disc to perform dividing function, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but wear occurs affecting crystallization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a stationary separating disc as an intermediary element between the mixing tool and the confectionery mass flow. This disc performs the dividing function by creating a separation between sub-chambers, while the mixing tool mixes the mass in its sub-chamber without direct contact with the disc. This intermediary arrangement ensures precise mass division while preventing wear that would affect crystallization quality.
Data Source
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AI summary
A tempering machine (1) is used for tempering a confectionery mass, in particular a chocolate mass. The tempering machine (1) has a first tempering medium chamber (3) for the flow of a tempering medium and a second tempering medium chamber (3) adjacent to the tempering machine (1) in an axial direction (6). A confectionery mass chamber for the flow of the confectionery mass is arranged in the axial direction (6) between the first tempering medium chamber (3) and the second tempering medium chamber (3). A mixing tool (24) is arranged in the confectionery mass chamber (4) and is rotatably driven for mixing the confectionery mass.A separating disc (17) is arranged in the confectionery mass chamber (4) such that a first sub-chamber (18) and a second sub-chamber (19) are formed, wherein the separating disc (17) has a passage opening (23) which is designed to allow the confectionery mass to flow from the first sub-chamber (18) in the axial direction (6) through the passage opening (23) into the second sub-chamber (19).