Portable Ice Shaving Machine with Venting for Consistent Snow Texture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing frozen confection machines are large, cumbersome, and struggle to produce 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
1Reliability
If commercial grade ice shaving machines are used, then shaved ice quality is maintained, but machine size and portability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The machine is divided into separate functional modules: a removable ice receptacle, a base unit with motor and blade assembly, and an optional flavor dispensing system. This segmentation allows the main processing components to be compact while maintaining commercial-grade performance, and enables the ice supply to be independently managed.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly is positioned within the ice receptacle chamber, with the motor housed in the base unit that supports the receptacle. This nested arrangement minimizes the overall footprint of the machine while ensuring all components work in close proximity for efficient ice shaving.
2Productivity
If ice is shaved as it warms and texture changes, then continuous operation is possible, but shaved ice quality degrades
Solution Approach 1:
A large ice receptacle is provided that can hold multiple ice cubes or blocks, allowing the operator to load fresh ice before the previous supply is depleted. This preliminary preparation ensures that ice of consistent cold temperature and texture is always available for shaving, preventing quality degradation from using warmed ice.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows easy monitoring of ice supply levels in the receptacle, enabling operators to refresh the ice supply before texture degradation occurs. This feedback mechanism ensures continuous production of high-quality shaved ice by maintaining proper ice temperature and consistency.
3Weight of moving object
If blade design is simplified for portability, then machine size is reduced, but ability to produce light fluffy textured ice is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is designed with specifically engineered cutting edges and geometry optimized for producing light, fluffy, finely textured shaved ice. This localized precision in the blade's critical cutting surfaces ensures high-quality output despite the overall compact size of the machine.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly is designed to rotate at controlled speeds that optimize the shaving action for creating fine ice particles. The dynamic rotation, combined with the blade's geometric design, ensures consistent light and fluffy texture regardless of the machine's compact form factor.
4Reliability
If ice supply is manually changed frequently, then ice quality is maintained, but operation time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ice receptacle is designed to accommodate large quantities of ice (multiple cubes or blocks) that can be loaded in advance. This preliminary loading reduces the frequency of ice changes, minimizing operational interruptions while maintaining consistent ice quality throughout extended use periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle design universally accepts various ice formats (cubes, blocks, or chunks), allowing operators to load the most convenient quantity and type of ice for their specific needs. This flexibility enables longer operation times without compromising ice quality.
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 a convenient, portable, and efficient means to produce high-quality, fluffy shaved ice that adapts to changing ice textures, ensuring consistent output and easy storage, while allowing for flexible ice input sizes and integrated flavoring options.
Implementation Method 1
The blade assembly is spinning and/or stationary blades configured for receiving the plurality of ice cubes and shaving thin slices from the ice cubes
Implementation Method 2
The device includes a motor and a blade assembly base supporting the blade assembly. The motor is configured to spin a paddle wheel and/or rotate the blade assembly
Implementation Method 3
The base housing includes at least one venting channel configured for releasing heat generated 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.