Food Processor Dual-Motor Ventilation for Heat Evacuation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing milk frothing appliances are inefficient in heat management, leading to unwanted heat accumulation and difficult cleaning due to fixed stirring mechanisms and inadequate heat evacuation systems, which complicates the preparation of frothed milk-based beverages.

Innovation Solution

A machine with a container and impeller for frothing and heating milk, featuring a motorized ventilation arrangement and thermal conditioner for effective heat evacuation, minimizing undesired heat transfer and facilitating easy cleaning by separating heat generation from the processing area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a fixed stirring mechanism is used in the tank, then the milk frothing function is achieved, but the cleaning difficulty increases and encrustation of solid residue occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemilk frothing functionVSAvoidcleaning difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the fixed stirring mechanism from the tank interior and extracts it to the exterior drive system. The tank becomes a simple removable container without internal mechanical parts, eliminating encrustation issues and making cleaning trivial while maintaining the milk frothing function through magnetic drive from outside the tank.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical stirring mechanism with a magnetic drive system. The drive mechanism is positioned outside the tank and uses magnetic fields to rotate the impeller through the tank wall, eliminating the need for mechanical seals and internal drive shafts that would complicate cleaning and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Temperature

If heating is applied to the milk, then the desired temperature is achieved, but the encrustation of cooked or burnt proteins increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemilk temperatureVSAvoidencrustation of solid residue

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic stirring that continuously moves the milk throughout the heating process. This constant motion prevents proteins from settling and adhering to the tank walls, allowing heating to occur without encrustation while maintaining the desired temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuous stirring action throughout the entire heating process. This uninterrupted motion ensures that the milk remains in constant circulation, preventing any localized overheating or protein deposition on surfaces while achieving uniform heating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Power

If electrical components are placed in the powered cavity, then the driving function is achieved, but the heat accumulation increases and affects the food substance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving functionVSAvoidheat accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the machine into distinct functional zones: the powered cavity containing heat-generating electrical components is separated from the food cavity containing the milk. This spatial segmentation allows the motor to operate at full power without transferring unwanted heat to the food substance, as the tank acts as a thermal barrier between the two zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The machine provides reliable heat management, reducing unwanted heat accumulation and simplifying cleaning by efficiently evacuating heat generated by electrical components, thus improving the preparation of frothed milk-based beverages.

Implementation Method 1

a motorized ventilation arrangement for evacuating heat from the powered cavity to outside such machine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

a thermal conditioner for generating heat in the food cavity and/or for removing heat from the food cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12064058B2Controlled heat management for food processor

Publication Date: 2024.08.20 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA

AI summary

A machine (1) for processing a liquid food substance (10) includes: a container (2) delimiting a food cavity (2′) for containing said liquid food substance (10); an impeller (20) for driving the food substance (10) in the food cavity (2′); a housing (3) delimiting a powered cavity (3′) that is adjacent the container (2). The powered cavity (3′) contains: a motor (30) for driving the impeller (20); a heat evacuation system (35, 36, 37, 37′, 37″) for evacuating heat from the powered cavity (3′) to a space (6) outside such machine (1), comprising a motorized ventilation arrangement (35,36); and a control unit (31). The motorized ventilation arrangement has a first ventilation device (35) driven by the impeller motor (30). Further to the first ventilation device (35) and to the impeller motor (30), the motorized ventilation arrangement comprises a second ventilation device (36) and a further motor (38) that is different to the impeller motor (30), the further motor (38) being controlled by the control unit (31) to drive the second ventilation device (36).