Ice Cream Freezer Head With Rotating Inlet-Outlet Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior machines for producing ice cream with solid ingredients like cereals or fruits face difficulties in introducing these solids during the initial stages of whipping and freezing due to structural limitations, leading to potential damage and material loss.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a rotating closing element that separates the ingredient inlet and product outlet, allowing for the introduction of solid bodies during advanced stages of processing and utilizing pressurized air to facilitate the dispensing of the final product, preventing damage and material loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If pressurized whipping and freezing chamber is used to improve air incorporation, then air incorporation is improved, but introducing solid bodies becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The closing element is divided into two separate separators: a upper separator for closing the ingredient inlet and a lower separator for closing the product outlet. This segmentation allows independent control of each opening, enabling solid bodies to be introduced through the inlet while the outlet remains closed, and vice versa, without interference from pressurization.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing element is designed to rotate about a central axis, transitioning between different angular positions to selectively open or close the inlet and outlet. This dynamic mechanism allows the system to adapt its configuration based on operational needs, facilitating solid body introduction during whipping while maintaining pressurization for air incorporation.
2Strength
If solid bodies are introduced during advanced whipping stage to prevent breaking, then solid body integrity is improved, but chamber opening is required causing material discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The closing element separates control of the inlet and outlet into two independent separators. This allows the outlet to remain closed while the inlet is opened for solid body introduction, eliminating the need to open the entire chamber and preventing harmful material discharge while maintaining solid body integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing element acts as an intermediary mechanism between the inlet and outlet, allowing selective opening of each aperture independently. This mediator enables solid bodies to be introduced through the inlet while the outlet remains sealed, preventing material discharge while avoiding direct contact with mixing blades.
3Ease of operation
If rotating closing element with separate separators is used to enable solid body introduction, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closing element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a rotating valve mechanism, divides into two independent separators for selective opening/closing, provides structural support for the head, and enables both solid body introduction and product dispensing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper and lower separators are merged into a single rotating closing element assembly that can be operated together or independently. This combination allows the system to achieve complex functionality (selective opening of inlet and outlet) while using a unified structural platform, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 the practical and safe introduction of solid ingredients at any stage of the process, ensuring they remain intact and allows for efficient dispensing of ice cream products with solid inclusions, improving operational simplicity and product integrity.
Implementation Method 1
uses pressurized air to facilitate the dispensing of the finished product, even with solid inclusions
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for producing ice cream shop products comprises a whipping and freezing unit (2) with a horizontal axis (A) and a removable head (10) forming an end wall (11) of the whipping and freezing unit (2), there being in the wall (11) an inlet (12) for ingredients intended to constitute the ice cream shop products, and an outlet (13) for the ice cream shop product prepared.