Infrared Handle Sensing for Intermittent Cold Beverage Stirring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cold beverage makers continuously stir ice cream or smoothie, leading to water crystallization into ice sludge, affecting texture and flavor, and causing motor wear due to prolonged operation.
Innovation Solution
An infrared-sensing cold beverage maker that adjusts stirring speed based on handle interaction using an infrared generator and receiver, enabling instant response to discharge requirements, thus optimizing stirring frequency and reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If continuous stirring is performed to ensure efficient heat exchange and rapid cooling, then the cooling effect is improved, but the texture deteriorates due to water crystallization into ice sludge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic stirring by controlling the motor to operate intermittently rather than continuously. The control module detects when the ice cream or smoothie reaches the desired temperature and stops the stirring motor, preventing prolonged stirring that would cause water crystallization. This periodic action maintains both efficient cooling during operation and texture quality by stopping before ice sludge forms.
2Productivity
If continuous stirring is performed to ensure efficient heat exchange, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the motor service life decreases due to prolonged operation and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The control module monitors the temperature and stops the motor when the desired cooling effect is achieved, preventing prolonged continuous operation. This intermittent operation pattern maintains high cooling efficiency during active periods while significantly reducing cumulative motor wear and extending service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module uses temperature feedback to regulate motor operation. By detecting when the ice cream or smoothie reaches the target temperature, the system automatically stops the motor, creating a closed-loop control that optimizes both cooling efficiency and motor longevity through condition-based operation rather than continuous running.
3Temperature
If the stirring system operates continuously to maintain cooling, then the temperature control is improved, but energy consumption increases due to unnecessary prolonged operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system operates the stirring motor periodically rather than continuously, stopping it when the desired temperature is reached. This reduces energy consumption by eliminating unnecessary prolonged operation while maintaining effective temperature control during the active cooling phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module automatically monitors temperature and manages motor operation without continuous user intervention. The system serves itself by detecting when cooling is complete and autonomously stopping the motor, thereby reducing energy consumption without sacrificing temperature control effectiveness.
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
Maintains the original flavor and texture of ice cream or smoothie by adjusting stirring speed according to discharge needs, preventing texture deterioration and motor wear, while enhancing energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The sensing assembly includes an infrared generator and an infrared receiver; the infrared receiver is electrically connected to the drive; the infrared generator is configured to emit infrared light to the handle; and the infrared receiver is configured to receive infrared light reflected by the handle.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an infrared-sensing cold beverage maker, including a discharge device, a sensing device, a refrigeration stirring assembly, and a drive that are mounted on a body, where the discharge device is provided with a handle; the sensing device is opposite to the handle; the sensing device is electrically connected to the drive; and the sensing device is configured to identify a use state of the handle, so as to adjust an operating state of the drive. The present disclosure solves the problem that the stirring system in the conventional cold beverage maker often operates continuously even in case of no discharge requirement to result in deterioration of the ice cream or the smoothie for longtime stirring.