Micro Puree Machine Rotation Sensing for Partial Depth Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro puree machines require processing an entire container of pre-frozen ingredients at once, which can compromise culinary quality if not consumed immediately, and lack flexibility for partial processing.
Innovation Solution
A micro puree machine with a mixing shaft and gear system, equipped with a rotation sensor and controller, allows for processing a preselected portion of ingredients by detecting a magnetic field and determining a rotation count to stop the mixing shaft at a target position, ensuring partial processing without quality loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the entire container of pre-frozen ingredients is processed at once, then the processing speed is improved, but the culinary quality deteriorates when not consumed immediately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the processing operation into segments by allowing the mixing shaft to process only a predetermined portion of ingredients before ascending. The controller monitors rotation count and automatically stops the descent-rotate-ascend cycle after a set number of rotations, enabling users to process partial batches and maintain quality by consuming smaller portions over time rather than processing the entire container at once.
2Quantity of substance
If the mixing shaft processes all ingredients, then the quantity of processed ingredients is maximized, but flexibility for partial processing is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control through a programmable counter that can be set to different rotation counts based on user needs. The system adapts its processing quantity by adjusting the predetermined number of rotations in the controller, allowing flexible partial processing while maintaining the automated cycle. Users can modify the rotation count to process different portions of ingredients according to consumption needs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a rotation sensor and controller are added to enable partial processing, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical control mechanisms with electronic sensing and control. A rotation sensor detects the gear's rotational position and sends signals to a microcontroller, which automatically manages the mixing shaft's descent, rotation, and ascent cycles. This electronic substitution simplifies the overall system by using programmable logic instead of complex mechanical linkages or manual controls for partial 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
Enables flexible partial processing of ingredients, preserving culinary quality by allowing users to process only a portion at a time, reducing waste and maintaining flavor integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet is coupled to the gear and a rotation sensor is mounted on the machine housing. As the mixing shaft descends into the pre-frozen ingredients, the rotation sensor detects a magnetic field of the magnet as the gear rotates and generates a rotation signal in response
Data Source
AI summary
A micro puree machine includes a mixing shaft coupled to a blade and rotatable by means of a gear. A magnet is coupled to the gear and a rotation sensor is mounted on the machine housing. As the mixing shaft descends into the pre-frozen ingredients, the rotation sensor detects a magnetic field of the magnet as the gear rotates and generates a rotation signal in response. A controller receives the rotation signal and determines a rotation count associated with the gear, causing the mixing shaft to ascend back toward the housing once a pre-selected rotation count has been reached. The pre-selected rotation count correlates with the partial processing of the ingredients.