Ice-Shaver Motor Speed Control for Consistent Shaved Ice Portions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for preparing frozen drinks require constant operator attention and result in inconsistent quality and quantity, with dull ice-shaving blades reducing efficiency, leading to economic wastage and quality variations.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling the blending of drinks by adjusting the operational speed of the ice-shaver motor based on real-time ice-shaving rate measurements, using a weighing mechanism to maintain the desired liquid-to-ice ratio and compensate for blade dullness, ensuring consistent output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the ice-shaving unit operates continuously to provide ice portions, then the blade becomes dull over time, but the ice-shaving rate decreases, requiring speed adjustment to maintain consistency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice-shaving rateVSAvoidblade sharpness consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the operational speed of the ice-shaver motor based on real-time feedback from the weighing mechanism. As the blade becomes dull and shaving rate decreases, the controller automatically increases motor speed to compensate, maintaining consistent ice portion weights without manual intervention or blade replacement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The weighing mechanism continuously monitors the weight of shaved ice portions and feeds this information back to the controller. The controller compares actual weights against target weights and adjusts motor speed accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains reliability despite blade dulling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If manual operation of the blender is used, then the operator can monitor the blending process, but constant operator attention is required and quality consistency cannot be assured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrink quality consistencyVSAvoidoperator attention requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-monitoring and self-adjustment through the weighing mechanism and controller. The operator simply initiates the drink preparation process, and the system automatically ensures consistent ice portions and blending ratios without requiring continuous operator attention or expertise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual visual estimation and manual monitoring process is replaced with an automated electronic weighing and control system. The mechanical weighing mechanism and electronic controller substitute for human judgment and attention, ensuring consistent quality while freeing the operator from continuous monitoring duties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If the operator estimates portions by eye, then the process is quick, but the quantity and quality of drinks become inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrink preparation speedVSAvoidportion quantity consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The manual visual estimation process is replaced with an automated electronic weighing system. The weighing mechanism precisely measures ice portion weights, eliminating the imprecision of eye-balling while maintaining quick operation through automated control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The weighing mechanism provides real-time feedback on ice portion weights, allowing the system to automatically adjust the ice-shaving process to achieve target weights. This closed-loop control ensures consistent portion quantities without slowing down the preparation process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Quantity of substance

If too large a quantity of liquid and ice is blended, then the glass can be filled, but wastage occurs if not eventually used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrink volumeVSAvoidunused drink wastage

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-measures the exact quantities of ice and liquid needed for each drink portion before blending begins. The weighing mechanism ensures precise ice portioning, and the controller coordinates the blending process to create only the required amount, preventing over-pouring and reducing wastage of unused drinks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach allows for efficient and consistent production of frozen drinks, reducing operator attention and wastage while maintaining an acceptable ice-shaving rate, ensuring quality and quantity consistency.

Implementation Method 1

A weighing mechanism is provided to measure the weight of a predetermined number of shaved ice portions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWeight measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS7264187B1Method for controlling the blending of drinks

Publication Date: 2007.09.04 VITA MIX MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

AI summary

A method of operating a drink-blending machine to change the operational speed of an ice-shaver motor initiates operation of an ice-shaving process to supply a portion of shaved ice to a pitcher. Accordingly, the ice is moved past a blade to produce shaved ice. According to the rate of ice-shaving, the operational speed of the ice-shaver motor is adjusted. In doing so, the method compensates for dullness of the blade to maintain rate of ice-shaving with a specified range.