Food Dispensing Apparatus Torque-Based Consistency Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses for preparing and dispensing refrigerated and hot beverages struggle to optimally control the consistency of the products, particularly in varying it as required, due to inadequate solutions for managing the cooling or heating processes.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates control means with microswitches operated by the angular rotation of a gearmotor, selectively controlling the mixing device and cooling or heating systems based on torque thresholds, allowing precise adjustment of product consistency through adjustable elastic means and an electronic control board.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the cooling device operates continuously to maintain low temperature, then the product consistency increases, but the ability to vary consistency as required deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the cooling device operable in two distinct modes: continuously or periodically. This dynamic operation allows the system to adapt between maintaining stable low temperature for consistent product quality and periodically stopping to vary consistency levels, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by controlling the operational parameters of the cooling device (continuous vs. periodic operation). By changing the operational mode parameter, the system can adjust product consistency to meet different requirements, enabling both stable operation and versatility
2Extent of automation
If a sensor detects rotation degree to stop refrigeration, then automation is improved, but the precision of consistency control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback principle by using a sensor to detect the rotation degree of the mixing device and automatically stopping the refrigeration assembly when a predetermined rotation threshold is exceeded. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables automatic consistency control while maintaining adequate precision through the relationship between mixing rotation and product homogeneity
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 solution enables optimal control and variation of product consistency, ensuring reliable and versatile operation with economic costs, by selectively managing the refrigeration or heating processes based on resistance torque levels.
Implementation Method 1
a first microswitch and a second microswitch predisposed to be selectively operated by the angular rotation of means associated with a mixing device predisposed to cause the continuous circulation of the product within said containment tank, respectively, when the force exerted by elastic means, contrasting the resistive torque opposing the rotation of said mixing device, exceeds a first threshold value and a second threshold value
Implementation Method 2
a cooling device for cooling the product to the appropriate temperature
Implementation Method 3
there are apparatuses similar to the ones previously described but provided with a heating device, arranged inside the containment tank of the product
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The apparatus for preparing and dispensing food products comprises at least one containment tank (2) predisposed to contain the product to be prepared. Inside the containment tank (2) a mixing device (3) is arranged for determining the continuous circulation of the product. The apparatus comprises temperature control means (9) and product consistency control means (30) for controlling the consistency of the product being prepared. The product consistency control means (30) comprise a first microswitch (31 ) and a second microswitch (32) predisposed to be selectively operated when a first threshold value and a second threshold value of resistance against elastic means (22) acting on the mixing device (3) are exceeded, in order to control the stop of cooling or heating means (4) of the product contained within the tank (2).