Ice making machine with ice cube weighing function
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice making machines inaccurately control the weight of falling ice cubes, leading to inconsistencies in ice quantity for beverages, and the relationship between ice falling time and amount is not linear, affecting beverage quality.
Innovation Solution
An ice making machine with an integrated ice cube weighing function, utilizing a scale and an ice discharging control mechanism that includes a receiving funnel, flip plate, stepper motor, and limiting rod to ensure accurate and quantitative ice dispensing by weighing and controlling the falling of ice cubes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If time-based control is used to regulate ice falling amount, then the control mechanism is simple, but the ice weight accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical time-based control system with an electronic automatic weighing system. A load cell sensor converts the mechanical weight of ice cubes into electrical signals, which are then processed by a control circuit to automatically regulate the electromagnetic valve, eliminating the need for manual time adjustment and achieving precise weight control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the load cell continuously monitors the weight of ice cubes falling into the container, and the control circuit adjusts the electromagnetic valve's opening time based on the real-time weight data to achieve the target weight, ensuring accurate ice dispensing.
2Ease of operation
If electromagnetic valve opening time is adjusted to control ice amount, then the control method is simple, but the ice amount accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-regulation through automatic weighing. The load cell automatically measures the ice weight, and the control circuit automatically adjusts the electromagnetic valve operation without user intervention, achieving both ease of operation and high accuracy simultaneously.
3Reliability
If ice outlet is blocked, then ice cannot be dispensed, but the blocking mechanism increases system reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a vibration motor that generates mechanical vibrations to shake the receiving funnel and dislodge ice cubes stuck at the outlet. This vibration mechanism effectively clears blockages and restores ice flow, ensuring continuous operation and high productivity while maintaining system reliability.
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 ensures accurate and smooth dispensing of ice cubes, improving beverage quality control by ensuring the right amount of ice is dispensed based on weight, reducing blockages, and enhancing the practical applicability of the equipment.
Implementation Method 1
the scale comprises a supporting frame and a load cell, the supporting frame is connected to an inner wall of a box of the ice making machine body, a wire outlet end of the load cell is detachably fixed and installed on the supporting frame, and a force-bearing end of the load cell is connected to the side wall of the receiving funnel
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnetic valve is provided at the ice outlet and configured to control falling of ice cubes
Data Source
AI summary
An ice making machine has an ice cube weighing function. The machine has an ice discharging control mechanism below an ice outlet. The ice discharging control mechanism is electrically connected to an electromagnetic valve and has a receiving funnel and a scale. A side wall of the receiving funnel is connected to the scale. A top inlet of a cavity of the receiving funnel is directly below the ice outlet, and an ice falling controller has at a bottom outlet of the cavity of the receiving funnel and is configured to control falling of ice cubes in the receiving funnel. The ice falling controller is electrically connected to the scale. The ice discharging control mechanism is below the ice outlet, the scale can weigh the ice cubes falling into the receiving funnel.