Horizontal Axis Ice Cream Machine with Cartridge Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ice cream machines face inefficiencies in heat transfer, cleaning, and safety, with long preparation times, messy operations, and user safety risks due to rotating parts.

Innovation Solution

A machine with a horizontal axis of rotation and a cartridge-type container system that enhances heat exchange, simplifies cleaning, and includes a lid for safe operation and automatic ice cream removal, featuring clamping devices and a mechanism to stop the mixing device when the lid is opened.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a vertical shaft mixing device is used in known machines, then the mixing function is achieved, but the preparation time is long due to inadequate heat transfer between the cooling circuit and the container

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice cream preparation speedVSAvoidcooling time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional vertical shaft configuration by implementing a horizontal axis of rotation for the mixing device. This inversion allows the container to rotate horizontally, bringing different portions of the container walls into contact with the cooling circuit at different times, thereby significantly improving heat transfer efficiency and reducing preparation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the container is easily accessible during machine operation, then ingredient loading is simple, but user safety is compromised due to exposure to rotating mixing parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveingredient loading convenienceVSAvoiduser injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by requiring the container to be fully loaded and sealed with its lid before insertion into the housing compartment. The clamping devices secure the container in place before the mixing operation begins, ensuring that all ingredient loading is completed beforehand. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for users to access the container during rotation, preventing injury while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the support body and container are exposed during ingredient introduction and extraction, then loading and extraction are simple, but cleaning becomes difficult due to splashes depositing on the support body

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading and extraction simplicityVSAvoidcleaning effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the container system into a removable container with lid that can be easily inserted and extracted from the housing compartment. The clamping devices secure the container during operation, containing any potential splashes within the container boundaries. This segmentation allows the support body to remain clean and separate from the container, dramatically reducing cleaning effort while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Temperature

If a traditional cooling circuit configuration is used, then the basic cooling function is provided, but heat transfer efficiency is inadequate requiring long preparation times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer cooling efficiencyVSAvoidice cream production rate

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional cooling approach by rotating the container horizontally on a horizontal axis, allowing the cooling circuit to efficiently contact different portions of the container walls throughout the rotation cycle. This dynamic configuration maximizes heat transfer surface area utilization and cooling efficiency, directly improving production rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 design reduces preparation time, minimizes cleaning needs, ensures user safety, and facilitates easy ingredient loading and product extraction, while allowing for efficient heat transfer and multiple uses of the container.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling circuit configured to cool the housing compartment and the tub disposed therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a mixing device disposed, during use, inside the tub and configured to mix the ingredients during the ice cream preparation process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical mixing: Stirring

Implementation Method 3

A machine with a horizontal axis of rotation and a cartridge-type container system that enhances heat exchange

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11985989B2Machine for the production of ice cream

Publication Date: 2024.05.21 DE LONGHI APPLIANCES SRL

AI summary

A machine for the production of ice cream includes a support body defining a housing compartment, a tub configured to contain the ingredients for the preparation of the ice cream which can be removably inserted in said housing compartment, a cooling circuit, a mixing device configured to mix the ingredients during the ice cream preparation process, a lid and clamping devices.