Ice Cream Machine Refrigeration System with Dynamic Thermal Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art ice cream machines face food safety risks due to bacterial proliferation in residues left within the machine, especially during high outside temperatures, leading to contamination of subsequent batches.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a refrigeration system that can be activated to a lower preservation thermal power when the container is empty, maintaining the machine components at a temperature between -5°C and +5°C to prevent bacterial growth, and a method that includes detecting the presence or absence of ice cream to switch between production and preservation thermal powers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the refrigeration system is deactivated when product is not being processed, then energy consumption is reduced, but food safety deteriorates due to bacterial proliferation in residues
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration system operates dynamically with two distinct modes: full power during active production and reduced power during idle periods. The system automatically transitions between these modes based on whether product is being processed, maintaining food safety while optimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration system changes its operating parameters between two states: high cooling power during production to freeze product quickly, and low cooling power during idle periods to maintain temperatures below bacterial growth thresholds. This parameter switching resolves the contradiction between energy savings and food safety.
2Reliability
If the refrigeration system operates at full power continuously, then food safety is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration system operates periodically rather than continuously, switching between full power mode during production cycles and reduced power mode during idle periods. This periodic operation maintains food safety during critical times while reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration system maintains continuous protective action by keeping the mixing and freezing cylinder cooled below bacterial growth temperatures at all times, even during idle periods. The useful action of temperature control continues uninterrupted, just at a reduced intensity during non-production times.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the mixing and freezing cylinder is allowed to warm up during idle periods, then energy consumption is reduced, but bacterial proliferation occurs in residues
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration system performs preliminary cooling action during idle periods to maintain the mixing and freezing cylinder temperature below bacterial growth thresholds. This preliminary maintenance of low temperature prevents bacterial proliferation before it can occur, resolving the contradiction between energy savings and preventing harmful factors.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the refrigeration system operates at reduced power during idle periods, then energy consumption is reduced, but the cooling capacity may be insufficient to prevent bacterial growth
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration system applies partial cooling action during idle periods, operating at reduced power just sufficient to maintain temperatures below bacterial growth thresholds. This partial action is excessive enough to prevent bacterial proliferation but not so excessive as to waste energy, resolving the contradiction between energy consumption and temperature control effectiveness.
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 solution significantly enhances food safety by preventing bacterial proliferation, reduces energy consumption, and allows for quicker production of subsequent batches by keeping machine components at optimal temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigeration system 4, operatively associated with the container 2 respectively for mixing the basic mixture and for cooling the basic mixture
Implementation Method 2
wherein said refrigeration system comprises a compressor, and wherein said control and operating unit is designed to regulate the speed of the compressor
Implementation Method 3
maintaining the machine components at a temperature between -5°C and +5°C to prevent bacterial growth
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A machine (1) for making and dispensing ice creams, comprises in combination: a container (2) designed to contain a basic mixture for converting it into ice cream; a mixer (3) and a refrigeration system (4), operatively associated with said container (2) respectively for mixing said basic mixture and for cooling said basic mixture in such a way as to convert it, in the container (2), into ice cream; a control and operating unit (6), operatively associated with said refrigeration system (4) for controlling activation and deactivation of said refrigeration system (4) and for regulating its cooling thermal power at least between a first, production thermal power and a second, preservation thermal power which is lower than said first, production thermal power, said control and operating unit (6) being designed to allow said refrigeration system (4) to be activated at the second, preservation power when said container (2) is substantially empty.