Ice Cream Machine Dual-Function Cooling Circuit to Reduce Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for processing and keeping ice cream, such as gelato, have complex and costly cooling systems that are obsolete, necessitating a simpler and more affordable solution.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a dual-function cooling circuit using a single refrigerant for both refrigeration and heating, combined with a control unit that alternately activates branches to maintain consistent temperature, allowing each mixing and freezing cylinder to be thermally independent, thus simplifying the structure and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a traditional cooling circuit is used for processing and storing ice cream, then the temperature control function is achieved, but the structural complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the refrigeration circuit and heating circuit into a single integrated cooling circuit system. The circuit includes a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator that serve dual functions for both cooling during processing and heating during storage, eliminating the need for separate independent systems and reducing overall structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling circuit is designed with multi-functionality to perform both refrigeration and heating operations. By using the same circuit components for dual purposes - cooling the mixing/freezing cylinders during processing and heating the storage cylinders during maintenance or product warming - the system achieves temperature control without requiring separate dedicated systems for each function
2Measurement precision
If separate cooling circuits are used for each cylinder, then temperature control precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling circuit is segmented into distinct functional branches - a refrigeration branch with its own expansion valve and evaporator for cooling operations, and a heating branch with its own expansion valve and evaporator for heating operations. Each branch can be independently controlled to serve specific cylinders, maintaining temperature control precision while avoiding the complexity of fully independent circuits for each cylinder
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control through solenoid valves and expansion valves that can adjust refrigerant flow in real-time. The refrigeration circuit and heating circuit can be selectively activated or deactivated based on operational requirements, allowing precise temperature control for different cylinders at different times without requiring simultaneous operation of all circuit components
3Stability of the object's composition
If a complex cooling system is used, then temperature stability is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system operates periodically rather than continuously. The compressor runs in cycles to maintain temperature stability, and the refrigeration/heating circuits are activated only when needed based on operational mode. This periodic operation reduces energy consumption compared to continuous operation of complex systems while maintaining temperature stability through proper timing and control
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and reuses thermal energy within the circuit. The condenser releases heat that can be recovered for heating operations, and the evaporator absorbs heat efficiently during cooling. By optimizing heat exchange and minimizing thermal losses through proper insulation and heat recovery, the system maintains temperature stability with reduced energy input requirements
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 configuration ensures consistent ice cream quality by maintaining processing and storage temperatures, reducing energy consumption, and allowing for efficient processing and storage of multiple products, including gelato, cake, and pastry fillings.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid circulating in the cooling circuit is a single refrigerant used both for the first refrigerating circuit and for the second heating circuit. The refrigerant circulating in the first refrigerating circuit is a refrigerant in the cooled state, capable of absorbing heat from the mixing and freezing cylinders
Implementation Method 2
The refrigerant circulating in the second heating circuit is a refrigerant in the heated state, capable of adding heat to the mixing and freezing cylinders
Implementation Method 3
The main branch extends from the compressor in such a way that the first refrigerating circuit and the second heating circuit can draw compressed, heated refrigerant flowing out of the selfsame compressor
Data Source
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AI summary
A machine for processing and keeping ice cream, slush drinks and similar products, comprises a display counter (2) comprising, a plurality of visible mixing and freezing cylinders (3) for processing basic products and keeping ice cream, and a cooling circuit (7) which allows the temperature of the basic products and of the ice cream to be adjusted; the cooling circuit (7) is equipped with a first refrigerating circuit (8) and a second heating circuit (9) having respective offtake branches (10, 11) dedicated to each of the mixing and freezing cylinders (3) and designed to maintain the temperature for processing the basic product at the same temperature for keeping the ice cream.