Heatable Mixer Temperature Cycling for Stable Sauce Emulsions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing household appliances for heating and mixing food preparations, such as sauces and desserts, require user intervention for temperature control, leading to potential overheating and inhomogeneous results, especially when using fragile oils like omega-3 rich oils or low-fat egg-based preparations.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling a heating mixer appliance that uses multiple temporary heating phases with adjustable thresholds and power supply interruptions to maintain a controlled temperature rise, allowing for automatic preparation of egg-based and oil-based sauces without user intervention, preventing thermal degradation and lump formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If continuous heating is applied to achieve quick temperature rise, then heating speed is improved, but temperature control precision deteriorates leading to overheating and thermal degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating speedVSAvoidtemperature control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The heating process is divided into multiple discrete phases: an initial continuous heating phase followed by multiple alternating phases of heating and cooling. This segmentation allows the system to achieve rapid temperature rise initially, then transition to controlled temperature maintenance through periodic heating interruptions, preventing overheating and thermal degradation of sensitive ingredients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control device implements periodic heating cycles where the heating element is alternately activated and deactivated based on temperature threshold detection. This periodic action enables the system to maintain temperature within a narrow range by applying heat only when needed, ensuring precise temperature control while avoiding continuous overheating that would degrade oil-based sauces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Manufacturing precision

If heating interruptions are introduced to control temperature, then temperature control precision is improved, but production time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adjusts the heating cycle parameters based on real-time temperature feedback from the detection device. As the preparation approaches the target temperature, the heating interruptions become more frequent and shorter in duration, allowing the system to maintain precision without excessive time loss. The stirring speed is also dynamically adjusted to optimize heat distribution during different phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses automatic temperature detection and control mechanisms that operate without user intervention. The detection device continuously monitors temperature and automatically triggers heating interruptions when thresholds are exceeded, eliminating the need for manual monitoring while maintaining precise temperature control throughout the preparation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If manual temperature monitoring is required to prevent overheating, then temperature control precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control device incorporates an automatic temperature detection system that continuously monitors the preparation temperature and autonomously triggers heating interruptions when the detection device registers that the temperature has reached predetermined thresholds. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for user intervention while maintaining precise temperature control, significantly improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a closed-loop feedback control mechanism where the detection device continuously measures temperature and feeds this information back to the control device, which automatically adjusts heating cycles accordingly. This feedback loop ensures precise temperature control without requiring user monitoring or intervention, making the operation simple and foolproof.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Speed

If high stirring speed is used to achieve homogenization quickly, then mixing speed is improved, but thermal degradation increases due to friction heating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing speedVSAvoidthermal degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adjusts the stirring motor speed based on the heating phase. During initial heating phases, higher stirring speeds are applied to rapidly homogenize the preparation. During temperature-sensitive phases with heating interruptions, the stirring speed is automatically reduced to minimize friction-generated heat that could cause thermal degradation of sensitive ingredients like omega-3 oils.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different stirring speeds at different stages of the preparation process rather than maintaining a constant high speed throughout. This localized adjustment of mixing intensity ensures efficient homogenization when needed while preventing excessive friction heating during temperature-critical phases, thereby protecting thermally sensitive ingredients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 approach enables the production of homogeneous, high-quality sauces and desserts by gradually controlling the temperature, reducing the risk of overheating and preserving the nutritional and organoleptic properties of ingredients, while ensuring efficient production time.

Implementation Method 1

heating means associated with a temperature control device coming into contact with the tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

temperature measured by the temperature control device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Thermocouple

Data Source

PatentEP2903487B1Method and heatable mixer household appliance designed for producing sauces and/or sweetened preparations
Publication Date: 2016.11.09 SEB SA
  • EP2903487B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2903487B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2903487B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention concerns a method for controlling a heatable mixer household cooking appliance for binding a culinary preparation made from egg and/or oil, comprising a stirring blade driven in rotation in a container resting on a heatable seat, in which heating means are powered irrespective of the temperature measured by a temperature control device that comes into contact with the container as long as the measured temperature remains lower than a first heating transition threshold (91b), and are then re-powered for at least two other temporary heating phases when the measured temperature has dropped below a second and then a third heating control threshold (93b) that is greater than the second heating control threshold (92b). The invention also concerns a heatable mixer household cooking appliance comprising a control device comprising at least one operating programme according to the abovementioned method.