Frozen Drink Maker Phase Change Detection Using Temperature Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing frozen drink makers lack effective automated control mechanisms to ensure precise phase change detection and temperature management during the processing of drink products, leading to inconsistent quality and potential inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A drink maker equipped with a temperature sensor and controller that periodically detects temperature changes, determines phase changes based on threshold rates, and adjusts cooling circuit operation to maintain target temperatures, alerting users if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If automated control mechanisms are added to detect phase changes and manage temperature, then temperature control precision and product quality consistency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated control by using temperature sensors to continuously monitor the drink product temperature and feed this information back to a controller. The controller compares the detected temperature with target values and automatically adjusts the cooling circuit operation accordingly, enabling precise phase change detection and temperature management without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual temperature monitoring and adjustment mechanisms with automated electronic control systems. Temperature sensors and electronic controllers substitute for manual thermometers and manual cooling adjustments, automating the detection of phase changes and the regulation of cooling circuit operation to maintain target temperatures
2Measurement precision
If continuous temperature monitoring is implemented, then phase change detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic temperature monitoring rather than continuous monitoring. The temperature sensor periodically detects the temperature of the drink product and reports to the controller at set intervals. This periodic action maintains adequate phase change detection accuracy while reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring, as the system only activates the sensor and processing at necessary intervals
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
Ensures consistent phase change detection and temperature control, preventing under- or over-cooling, and improving the quality of frozen or semi-frozen drink production.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor configured to periodically detect a temperature associated with the drink product and output periodic temperature signals indicative of the periodically detected temperature
Implementation Method 2
a cooling circuit configured to cool the drink product within the mixing vessel
Implementation Method 3
transforming the drink product from a pure liquid (or a combination of a liquid and portions of ice) to a frozen or semi-frozen product
Data Source
AI summary
A drink maker is provided for phase change detection and notification. The drink maker includes a mixing vessel arranged to receive a drink product. The drink product is mixed within the mixing vessel. The drink maker also includes a cooling circuit configured to cool the drink product within the mixing vessel. The drink maker further includes a temperature sensor configured to repeatedly detect a temperature associated with the drink product and output temperature signals indicative of the detected temperatures. The drink maker further includes a controller. The controller is configured to determine that a condition associated with a phase change of the drink product has been satisfied based on the temperature signals. The controller is also configured to, in response to determining the condition, alert a user of the drink maker.