Soft Ice-Cream Valve Control With Touch-Based Dispensing Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing soft ice-cream vending machines struggle with precise control of the tapping valve, leading to inconsistent and unreliable measurement of ice-cream dispensed due to variations in density, viscosity, and consistency of the semi-finished product, as well as ambient conditions.
Innovation Solution
A vending machine with a batch-freezing unit and a valve assembly controlled by an electronic control device that includes a vessel assembly with a controlled opening and a vessel-holding structure, where the valve assembly is opened and closed based on real-time detection of ice-cream flow to ensure accurate dispensing into a portion vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple timed opening of the tapping valve is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and reliability of soft ice-cream dispensing deteriorate due to unpredictable flowrate variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a detection device monitors the actual flowrate of soft ice-cream in real-time and provides signals to the electronic control unit. The control unit adjusts the valve opening time based on this feedback to compensate for variations in flowrate caused by changes in density, viscosity, and ambient conditions, thereby maintaining precise and reliable measurement of dispensed quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces simple mechanical timed valve opening with an electronically controlled valve system that responds to detection device signals. The electronic control unit processes detection signals and dynamically adjusts the valve opening duration, substituting a passive mechanical timing mechanism with an active electronic control system that adapts to varying flow conditions.
2Reliability
If the valve opening time is extended to account for flowrate variations, then the measurement reliability improves, but the loss of time increases due to longer dispensing cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic valve control where the opening time is not fixed but continuously adjusted based on real-time detection of soft ice-cream flow characteristics. The electronic control unit modifies the valve opening duration dynamically during each dispensing cycle to match actual flow conditions, optimizing both reliability and time efficiency by opening the valve only as long as necessary under current conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of valve opening time based on detected flowrate conditions. When flowrate is lower than expected, the valve remains open longer; when flowrate is higher, the valve closes sooner. This parameter adjustment ensures consistent measurement reliability while minimizing unnecessary time loss in each dispensing cycle.
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
The system allows for precise and reliable dispensing of a predetermined amount of soft ice-cream by controlling the valve assembly based on the time taken to reach the vessel assembly to determine the falling time of the ice-cream, ensuring consistent and accurate measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a batch-freezing unit, which is capable of producing, inside itself, soft ice-cream
Implementation Method 2
a first detection device adapted to determine when the soft ice-cream coming out of the valve assembly touches the portion vessel
Data Source
AI summary
A vending machine for ice-cream and the like comprising: a batch-freezing unit that is capable of producing, inside itself, soft ice-cream and is provided with a valve assembly with a controlled opening and closing, through which the soft ice-cream can selectively flow out of the batch-freezing unit; a vessel-holding structure, which is adapted to temporarily support a portion vessel, placing it immediately beneath the valve assembly so as to collect the soft ice-cream that flows out of, and falls from, the valve assembly; and an electronic control device adapted to control at least said valve assembly; and a first detection device adapted to determine when the soft ice-cream coming out of the valve assembly touches the portion vessel stationary beneath the valve assembly; the electronic control device being adapted to control said valve assembly based on the signals coming from said first detection device.