Flowable Food Heating Agitator Speed Control to Prevent Burning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing appliances for heating and frothing milk are inefficient, prone to burning, and difficult to clean due to fixed stirring mechanisms and residue buildup, which complicates the preparation of specialty beverages like cappuccinos.
Innovation Solution
A device with a movable agitator that changes speed during the heating process to distribute heat unevenly, preventing burning by shifting the minimum speed location on the heating surface, and an optional frothing function that incorporates air bubbles into milk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed stirring mechanism is used during heating, then the heating process is simple, but the food substance burns on the heating surface and residue builds up
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the stirring mechanism movable rather than fixed. The stirring element can change its position and movement pattern during the heating process, allowing it to dynamically adjust and prevent food substance from settling and burning on the heating surface, thereby reducing residue buildup while maintaining simple overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the stirring mechanism that periodically changes its movement pattern or position during heating. This periodic stirring prevents continuous contact of food substance with the heating surface at the same location, distributing heat more evenly and preventing burning and residue accumulation
2Use of energy by moving object
If heating is performed without agitation, then energy consumption is low, but the food substance burns on the heating surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by implementing a stirring mechanism that operates continuously or periodically throughout the heating process. This continuous agitation ensures uniform heat distribution and prevents burning without requiring excessive energy, as the stirring provides continuous protective action against heat concentration at specific points
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting the heating parameters in coordination with agitation. The system can modify heating intensity, stirring speed, or agitation pattern during the process to optimize energy efficiency while preventing burning, achieving effective heating with reduced energy consumption
3Device complexity
If a fixed stirring mechanism is used, then the device structure is simple, but cleaning is difficult due to residue adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using a movable stirring mechanism that can be repositioned or removed during the cleaning process. This dynamic capability allows the stirring element to be accessed for cleaning without disassembling the entire device, maintaining simple overall structure while significantly improving cleaning ease by reducing residue adhesion through continuous motion during operation
4Device complexity
If the agitator runs at constant speed, then the control system is simple, but burning occurs at the minimum speed location on the heating surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by varying the agitator speed in a periodic or sequential manner during the heating process. The control system activates different speed levels or stirring patterns at different time intervals, preventing food substance from settling at the minimum speed location and causing burning, while keeping the control system relatively simple through programmable speed sequences
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
Effectively prevents burning and facilitates easy cleaning by ensuring uniform heating and frothing of milk-based liquids, maintaining the quality of the beverage while reducing maintenance and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
moving the agitator (4) at an agitator speed to generate in the cavity (21) a flow of the food substance over the heating surface (6) and in contact therewith, thereby heating the food substance by transferring heat from the heating surface (6) to the food substance
Implementation Method 2
disturbing the flow of the food substance to break and/or cause asymmetric flow of the food substance in the cavity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The method prevents or inhibits, during a heating process, burning in a food heating device (20) of a flowable food substance against a heating surface (6) delimiting or contained in a device's cavity (21) that contains the food substance. The heating device comprises an agitator (4) movable in the cavity (21). The method includes the steps of: introducing the flowable food substance into the cavity (21); heating the heating surface (6) and moving the agitator (4) at an agitator speed (41,42) to generate in the cavity (21) a flow of the food substance over the heating surface (6) and in contact therewith; and disturbing the flow of the food substance to break and/or causing asymmetric flow of the food substance in the cavity (21). At a first agitator speed (41) during the heating process, the food substance is caused to flow at different first relative local speeds over the heating surface (6) that includes a first minimum speed location (61) over which the food substance flows at a first minimum speed of the different first relative local speeds. The speed of the agitator (4) is changed during the heating process to a second speed (42), the food substance being caused to flow at different second relative local speeds over the heating surface(6)that includes a second minimum speed location (62) over which the food flows at a second minimum speed of the different second relative local speeds. The second minimum speed location (62) is different to the first minimum speed location (61).