Ice Shaver Motor Cooling with Drip Tray Heat Sink Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Frozen confection machines generate significant heat during operation, leading to reduced motor lifespan and potential ice melting due to high motor load and misdirected heat.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a heat sink within the drip tray of the machine, utilizing waste ice and shavings to cool the air, which is then passed over the motor to reduce heat and extend motor life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the motor draws high amperage to produce necessary torque, then the motor can condition the ice effectively, but significant heat is generated that shortens motor life and may melt the ice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful heat generated by the motor into a beneficial cooling mechanism. A heat sink is integrated into the drip tray, and a fan directs airflow over the heat sink and motor, using the waste heat to pre-cool the air before it contacts the ice, thereby reducing overall heat transfer to the ice while maintaining motor cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary cooling medium between the motor and the ice. The airflow path is designed to pass over the motor and heat sink, absorbing excess heat, and then this pre-cooled air is directed toward the ice, preventing direct heat transfer from the motor to the ice while still allowing the motor to operate at high power.
2Power
If the motor generates significant heat, then the motor can maintain high torque output, but the heat may be misdirected and melt the ice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful heat that would otherwise melt the ice into a useful pre-cooling mechanism. The heat sink captures motor heat, and the fan-circulated airflow absorbs this heat, creating a stream of pre-cooled air that is then directed at the ice, actually reducing the net heat transfer to the ice while maintaining motor power output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary cooling to the air before it contacts the ice. The airflow path is designed to pass over the motor and heat sink first, absorbing excess heat in advance, so that when the air reaches the ice, it is already cooled and less likely to cause melting. This preliminary heat removal prevents the harmful effect before it occurs.
3Reliability
If a cooling system is added to the motor, then the motor life is extended and ice melting is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling system with existing components of the ice shaver. The heat sink is integrated into the drip tray structure, and the cooling fan is positioned to utilize the existing airflow paths and housing. This consolidation allows the cooling function to be added without proportionally increasing overall device complexity, as the cooling components share space and structural elements with the existing design.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat sink serves multiple functions: it cools the motor, pre-cools the airflow before it reaches the ice, and is structurally integrated into the drip tray. The fan both circulates air for cooling purposes and可以利用 existing airflow paths. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated cooling components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving effective motor cooling.
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 solution effectively cools the motor, reducing the risk of ice melting and prolonging the machine's operational life by efficiently managing heat generated during operation.
Implementation Method 1
a heat sink in mechanical contact with the drip tray
Implementation Method 2
causes airflow to move into the housing across the heat sink and past the motor for cooling the motor
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, and systems for cooling the motor of a frozen confection machine during operation are described. A frozen confection machine has a blade assembly for shaving ice and a housing comprising an air inlet and an air outlet. The machine has a motor disposed in the housing and is attached to a drive shaft for bringing ice into contact with the blade assembly. The machine also includes a drip tray and a heat sink that is in mechanical contact with the drip tray. The machine uses a fan assembly to causes airflow to move into the housing across the heat sink and past the motor for cooling the motor. During use, the airflow cools the motor to prolong motor life and enhance performance. The heat sink may be integrated with the tray or may be a standalone heat sink. The heat sink may have fins or other structures to increase thermal transfer. The airflow may be passively created by convection or enhanced by a fan or otherwise.