Metering apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metering apparatuses for automatic deep fryers suffer from ice and oil accumulation due to warm ambient air penetrating into the refrigerated chamber, leading to inefficiencies and maintenance issues.
Innovation Solution
A compact metering apparatus with a refrigerated chamber, airlock, and conveyor system that minimizes exposure to ambient air, using a combination of metal and plastic materials for insulation and a refrigeration module to maintain low temperatures, along with a heating module to prevent ice and oil accumulation, and a design that allows for efficient transportation and weighing of frozen goods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the metering apparatus is arranged above the frying unit with a direct connection to surroundings, then the transportation of piece goods is simplified, but warm ambient air penetrates into the refrigerated chamber causing ice and oil accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
An airlock chamber is introduced as an intermediary between the refrigerated chamber and the ambient environment. The airlock allows piece goods to be transferred from the refrigerated chamber to the frying unit while preventing direct contact between the cold interior and warm ambient air, thus eliminating ice and oil accumulation while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The metering apparatus is divided into distinct sealed compartments: a refrigerated chamber for storing frozen goods, an airlock chamber for transfer, and a heating chamber. This segmentation isolates the refrigerated environment from ambient air while enabling continuous operation and piece goods transportation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the metering apparatus is arranged below the frying unit to prevent ambient air penetration, then ice and oil accumulation is reduced, but the transportation of piece goods becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The airlock chamber merges the functions of transfer and sealing into a single integrated component. It combines the piece goods transfer mechanism with the air seal, allowing vertical arrangement (metering apparatus above frying unit) while preventing ambient air penetration, thus simplifying transportation without causing ice accumulation
3Productivity
If the refrigerated chamber is frequently opened for metering operations, then piece goods can be accessed, but ambient air penetration increases causing more ice and oil accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The airlock chamber is pre-prepared as a buffer zone before piece goods are transferred to the frying unit. This preliminary action allows the refrigerated chamber to remain sealed during the transfer process, maintaining cold temperatures and preventing ice accumulation while enabling rapid metering operations
Solution Approach 2:
The airlock chamber operates in periodic cycles: filling from the refrigerated chamber, sealing, heating/thawing, and discharge to the frying unit. This periodic operation allows the refrigerated chamber to remain closed between cycles, preventing ambient air penetration while maintaining high productivity through continuous batch processing
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 prevents ambient air penetration, reducing ice and oil accumulation, and ensures efficient and cost-effective operation by maintaining low temperatures and using a compact, space-saving design for the metering of frozen goods.
Implementation Method 1
A refrigeration module ensures the desired low temperatures in the refrigerated chamber
Implementation Method 2
The jacket has a thickness of less than 1 millimeter up to multiple millimeters, for example, 0.3 to 3 millimeters
Implementation Method 3
along with a heating module to prevent ice and oil accumulation
Data Source
AI summary
A metering apparatus (1) for metering frozen piece goods, comprising a housing (10) which defines a refrigerated chamber (11), wherein a piece goods container (3), a first conveyor unit (4), and a weighing unit (5) are arranged in the refrigerated chamber (11), wherein piece goods can be transported from the piece goods container (3) via the first conveyor unit (4) to the weighing unit (5), wherein an airlock (13) is arranged below the weighing unit (5), through which piece goods can pass out of the refrigerated chamber (11).