Ice shaving machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing frozen confection machines are large, cumbersome, and struggle with producing consistent, high-quality shaved ice due to issues with ice texture changes as it warms, leading to decreased performance and quality.
Innovation Solution
A portable ice shaving machine designed to condition cubes, chunks, or blocks of ice into a powdery snow-like texture, featuring a blade assembly that shaves thin slices of ice and an integrated flavor dispensing system, with a motor and venting channel for efficient operation and heat management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a commercial-grade ice shaving machine is used to produce high-quality shaved ice, then the shaved ice texture quality is improved, but the machine size and portability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The ice shaving machine is divided into separable components including a base unit and a removable ice chamber assembly. This segmentation allows the machine to maintain commercial-grade shaving capabilities while enabling compact storage and portability, as the ice chamber can be detached and stored separately when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly is integrated within the ice chamber structure, with the circular blade positioned concentrically around the ice cube. This nested arrangement optimizes the shaving mechanism within a compact volume, maintaining high-quality shaving performance while minimizing the overall machine footprint.
2Productivity
If ice is shaved continuously as it begins to warm, then productivity is maintained, but the shaved ice texture quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The machine incorporates an automatic feed mechanism that periodically advances the ice cube toward the blade in controlled increments. This periodic action ensures consistent shaving quality by maintaining optimal contact pressure between the blade and ice surface throughout the shaving process, even as the ice gradually warms.
Solution Approach 2:
The design includes a spring-loaded ice feed system that automatically adjusts the ice cube position based on resistance feedback during shaving. As the ice warms and becomes softer, the spring mechanism compensates by maintaining consistent pressure, ensuring continuous high-quality shaving output.
3Device complexity
If a traditional ice feeding mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation is worsened due to cumbersome ice cube changes
Solution Approach 1:
The ice feeding mechanism employs a spring-loaded automatic feed system that dynamically adjusts ice cube positioning during operation. This dynamic mechanism eliminates the need for manual ice cube changes, as the spring automatically advances each ice cube through the shaving process, greatly improving ease of operation while maintaining mechanical simplicity.
4Manufacturing precision
If the blade is designed to shave very thin slices of ice, then shaved ice texture quality is improved, but the blade is more susceptible to freezing and impacting
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is merged with the ice chamber structure, with the circular blade positioned concentrically around the ice cube and supported by the chamber walls. This integrated design provides structural support that prevents blade impacting and freezing issues, while maintaining the capability to shave very thin, high-quality ice slices.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade is designed with specific geometric parameters including a predetermined radius and thickness that optimize shaving performance. The blade's circular configuration around the ice cube ensures uniform cutting action, while the controlled blade-to-ice contact parameters prevent freezing and impacting issues even during continuous operation.
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 machine provides consistent, high-quality shaved ice with improved portability and storage capabilities, accommodating changing ice textures and allowing for easy flavoring, enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a venting channel disposed in the at least one upstanding sidewall of the base housing for releasing heat emitted by the motor
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices for preparing shaved ice confections. A device for conditioning ice includes a base housing comprising at least one upstanding sidewall defining an interior space and an upper surface with respect to the at least one upstanding sidewall. The device includes a motor disposed within the interior space of the base housing. The devices includes a sidewall disposed within the upper surface of the base housing defining an opening for receiving a drive shaft therethrough, wherein the drive shaft is mechanically connected to the motor and a blade assembly. The device includes a venting channel disposed in the at least one upstanding sidewall of the base housing for releasing heat emitted by the motor. The device includes a control mechanism for activating and deactivating the motor.