Method for Controlling an Ice Cream Maker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice cream makers suffer from inadequate mixing, uneven air saturation, motor damage risk, high manufacturing and maintenance costs, and cleaning difficulties due to the direct movement of the paddle head and dual-drive mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A control method for an ice cream maker that includes a movable upper body driven by a dual-axis motor, with adjustable churning and mixing strokes based on weight and pressure sensing, and a design that keeps the paddle shaft exposed for easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the paddle head moves directly from the first position to the second position under the drive of the positioning motor, then the churning action is simple and fast, but the mixing of the churned ice cream material is insufficient leading to uneven air saturation and less desirable flavor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic reciprocating motion of the power shaft, alternating between downward churning strokes and upward mixing strokes. This periodic action ensures that after each downward churning motion, the shaft rises to mix the material, creating uniform air saturation throughout the ice cream mixture while maintaining efficient churning cycles
2Productivity
If the motor moves directly from the first position to the second position while continuously churning downward without deceleration, then the churning process is continuous and efficient, but it can easily lead to motor damage
Solution Approach 1:
The motor operates in periodic cycles, alternating between downward churning phases and upward mixing phases. During the upward stroke, the motor decelerates and reverses direction, providing rest periods that reduce continuous stress on the motor while maintaining overall churning productivity through the reciprocating motion pattern
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates deceleration phases before direction changes in the reciprocating motion. The motor slows down before reversing from downward to upward motion, cushioning the mechanical stress and preventing sudden shocks that could damage the motor, thereby extending motor durability while maintaining continuous churning operation
3Ease of operation
If a dual-drive method is used with a positioning motor moving the platform and a driving motor rotating the power shaft, then the churning function is separated, but it results in high manufacturing and maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the positioning and driving functions into a single motor that performs both operations. The motor drives the power shaft through a transmission mechanism, integrating what were previously two separate motor functions into one unified drive system, thereby reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs while maintaining the separation of churning and mixing actions through mechanical transmission
4Productivity
If the power shaft moves from the inside of the machine housing to the outside to churn the material and then returns, then the churning action is effective, but material remaining on the power shaft moves back into the housing posing problems such as bacterial growth and material accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional churning approach by having the power shaft remain permanently exposed outside the housing rather than moving in and out. The churning action is achieved by the paddle head rotating and extending into the material container, while the shaft itself stays in a fixed external position, eliminating the problem of material contamination and bacterial growth in the housing
5Stability of the object's composition
If the paddle shaft is positioned inside the housing when the machine is shut down, then the structure is compact, but it makes cleaning inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the positioning arrangement by placing the power shaft externally rather than internally. This inversion maintains structural compactness through proper mechanical design while dramatically improving cleaning accessibility, as the shaft and paddle head are now easily reachable for manual cleaning without disassembling the housing
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
Enhances air saturation for improved flavor, reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs, and facilitates cleaning by ensuring thorough mixing and preventing bacterial growth.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring is sheathed on the paddle shaft. An upper end of the compression spring is in contact with the upper body, and above the compression spring on the upper body, a pressure sensor is in close contact with the compression spring. The lower end of the compression spring can be in close contact with the upper end face of the cup cover and transmit pressure to the detection end of the pressure sensor in real time.
Implementation Method 2
Inside the ice cream maker is provided with a screw lifting mechanism that drives the upper body to move up and down relative to the lower body.
Implementation Method 3
The lower body is equipped with a weighing module in contact with the cup, which senses the weight of the cup and outputs a weight value as G.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a control method for an ice cream maker. During operation, the ice cream maker enters an operating state and controls a motor to drive an upper body from a first position to a second position based on a pressure value F and a weight value G, performing at least one downward churning stroke and one upward mixing stroke. A paddle head not only churns an ice cream material in the cup, but also ascends and performs a reverse mixing process after churning. In this mixing process, the churned ice cream material can be thoroughly mixed with air to increase the air saturation of the ice cream material, which enhances the flavor of the ice cream.