Ice Cream Inclusion Dosing Control for Uniform Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice cream production methods struggle to achieve uniform distribution of solid ingredients due to challenges in maintaining a consistent feed rate, handling ingredients of varying properties, and adapting to different conveyor systems.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a state observer to generate a feedback signal for controlling the conveyor device, ensuring a stable and robust operation by relating the momentary dosing rate of solid ingredients to the momentary speed of the conveyor device, thereby achieving uniform distribution of solid ingredients in ice cream.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conveyor system is used to feed solid ingredients to the mixing arrangement, then the solid ingredients can be transported and mixed into the ice cream, but it is difficult to operate the conveyor system to provide an even and well-controlled feed rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors the actual feed rate of solid ingredients and adjusts the conveyor system operation accordingly. The control system receives information about the feed rate and modifies conveyor parameters to maintain the desired feed rate, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and manufacturing precision by automating the control process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the conveyor system is mechanically adjusted to handle different solid ingredients, then the system can adapt to varying ingredient properties, but it becomes even more difficult to operate the conveyor system to achieve a consistent feed rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the feedback control system to adapt to different solid ingredients. By monitoring the actual feed rate and adjusting conveyor parameters dynamically, the system can handle various ingredient properties (size, density, softness, adhesion) without requiring complex mechanical adjustments, thereby maintaining ease of operation while achieving adaptability.
3Productivity
If the conveyor system operates at varying speeds to handle different feed rates, then it can accommodate different production requirements, but mechanical impact during operation causes significant deviations in the feed rate
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system continuously monitors the actual feed rate and compensates for deviations caused by mechanical impact during conveyor operation. By comparing the actual feed rate with the target feed rate and adjusting conveyor speed dynamically, the system maintains consistent feed rate delivery across varying productivity requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a method of producing ice cream with inclusions, a flow of ice cream (A1) is generated through a mixer (11) for mixing the inclusions (A2) into the ice cream, and a conveyor device (5) is operated to provide the inclusions to the mixer (11) at a target dosing rate. A control system operates on a target dosing signal and a feedback signal to generate a control signal (C1) for setting the speed of the conveyor device. The feedback signal represents an estimated dosing rate of the inclusions by the conveyor device and is determined based on a weight signal (S1) and a speed signal (S2). Input data obtained from the weight and speed signals is supplied to a state observer, for example a Kalman filter, which generates the feedback signal based on a system model that relates a momentary dosing rate of the inclusions to a momentary speed of the conveyor device.