Food Mixture Thermal Control With Variable-Speed Compressor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional machines for treating liquid and semi-liquid food mixtures are limited in their ability to operate efficiently at varying product quantities, often wasting energy and products due to fixed optimal operating conditions, which compromises the quality and efficiency of processing.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a control unit that regulates the speed of the compressor and mixer motors based on real-time feedback from sensors, allowing for variable product quantities to be processed while maintaining optimal operating conditions, using a refrigerating cycle that can switch between heating and cooling modes and incorporating a control unit with a microprocessor to adjust thermal power and mixing speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional machines are sized to operate in optimum conditions at a predetermined load, then energy consumption and processing efficiency are optimized for that specific load, but the machine cannot efficiently process varying quantities of product and wastes energy when operating below maximum capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the machine's operating parameters variable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the speed of the compressor motor and mixer motor based on the actual quantity of product being processed. This allows the machine to transition from static, fixed-speed operation to dynamic, variable-speed operation that adapts to different load conditions, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control where sensors monitor the quantity of product in the tank and provide real-time information to the control unit. The control unit uses this feedback to automatically adjust motor speeds to optimal levels for the current load. This closed-loop feedback system eliminates the need for manual intervention and ensures the machine always operates at the most efficient point, balancing adaptability with energy consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If machines operate at fixed predetermined speed, then mechanical components experience consistent stress patterns, but the mixing speed cannot be adjusted to match varying product quantities and temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing fixed-speed motors with variable-speed motors that can adjust their rotation speed based on processing requirements. The control unit modulates the speed of the mixer motor to match the actual mixing needs dictated by product quantity, type, and temperature. This dynamic adjustment prevents mechanical stress from occurring at suboptimal speeds while maintaining component reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameter of motor speed from a fixed value to a variable parameter that can be adjusted within a range. The control unit modifies the rotational speed parameter of both the compressor motor and mixer motor according to the specific processing conditions. This parameter change enables the system to adapt to varying product quantities while maintaining optimal mechanical stress levels for component reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the compressor displaced volume is fixed, then the refrigerating capacity is optimized for a specific load, but the system cannot efficiently regulate temperature for different product quantities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the compressor's displaced volume variable rather than fixed. The control unit adjusts the rotation speed of the compressor motor to change the compressor's displaced volume in real-time. This allows the refrigerating capacity to be dynamically regulated to match the actual cooling needs of different product quantities, eliminating energy waste from over-capacity operation while maintaining temperature control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of compressor displaced volume from a fixed design value to a variable operational parameter. By controlling the motor speed, the system can adjust the effective displaced volume to match the thermal load requirements. This parameter change enables precise temperature regulation for varying loads while maximizing refrigerating capacity efficiency and minimizing energy loss.
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
Enables flexible processing of varying mixture quantities while maintaining product quality, reducing energy consumption, extending the life of mechanical components, and preventing waste, as the machine operates efficiently regardless of the product load, ensuring consistent temperature and consistency control.
Implementation Method 1
using a refrigerating cycle that can switch between heating and cooling modes
Implementation Method 2
a second motor, also preferably electric, drives a compressor which is part of the heating and/or cooling means
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for the treatment of liquid and semi-liquid food mixtures comprises a mixture whipping and freezing/heating tank (3), a circuit (6) for cooling and/or heating basic products of which the mixture consists, comprising a compressor (7) driven by an electric motor (18), and a mixer (4) rotating inside the tank (3) to mix the basic products. The machine also comprises a control unit (11) for the speed of rotation of the compressor (7) electric motor (18), for regulating the compressor operating speed and varying the thermal power supplied by the compressor (7) according to at least the quantity of mixture treated.