Refrigerating device for preparing frozen drink
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigerating devices for frozen drinks require frequent compressor startups and shutdowns, leading to increased energy consumption and prolonged refrigeration times, which affect the taste and service life of the device, as well as complicating control systems.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerating device with a pre-refrigeration unit and a main-refrigeration unit, utilizing a refrigeration system with evaporators and cool storage material units connected via heat pipes to efficiently pre-cool and further cool raw materials, reducing the need for frequent compressor cycles and enhancing energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the raw material is refrigerated to form the frozen drink in one step via the evaporator, then the frozen drink can be prepared directly, but the compressor must start and stop frequently which reduces service life and increases energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration process is divided into two independent stages: pre-refrigeration stage (refrigerating the raw material to a first temperature) and main-refrigeration stage (refrigerating the pre-refrigerated material to a second temperature). This segmentation allows each stage to operate independently, preventing frequent compressor startups and shutdowns, thereby extending compressor service life while maintaining production efficiency.
2Productivity
If the raw material is refrigerated to form the frozen drink in one step via the evaporator, then the frozen drink can be prepared directly, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration system is segmented into pre-refrigeration and main-refrigeration units that can operate independently. This allows the system to optimize energy usage by running only the necessary unit at any given time, rather than continuously operating a single large refrigeration system, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining fast preparation speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-refrigeration unit performs preliminary cooling of the raw material before it enters the main-refrigeration unit. This preliminary action reduces the thermal load on the main refrigeration system, allowing it to operate more efficiently with lower energy consumption while achieving the same final cooling result.
3Productivity
If the raw material is refrigerated to form the frozen drink in one step via the evaporator, then the frozen drink can be prepared directly, but the refrigeration time is prolonged which influences the taste
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the refrigeration process into two parallel-capable stages with different temperature targets, the system can rapidly remove the bulk of heat in the pre-refrigeration stage, then complete the final cooling in the main-refrigeration stage. This segmented approach reduces total refrigeration time compared to a single-stage system, preserving taste quality while maintaining high productivity.
4Device complexity
If the raw material is refrigerated to form the frozen drink in one step via the evaporator, then the process is simple, but the control of the refrigerating device becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into independent controllers for the pre-refrigeration unit and main-refrigeration unit. Each controller manages its own temperature parameters and operational timing independently, simplifying the overall control logic compared to managing a single complex multi-stage system, while achieving the same dual-temperature refrigeration effect.
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 device achieves high refrigeration efficiency with low energy consumption, improving the taste and quality of frozen drinks while extending the compressor's service life and simplifying control systems.
Implementation Method 1
the evaporator cool storage material unit is in communication with the pre-refrigeration cool storage material unit via a first heat pipe so that the first heat pipe transfers the refrigerating capacity of the evaporator cool storage material unit to the pre-refrigeration cool storage material unit
Implementation Method 2
a refrigeration system including an evaporator, the cool storage material unit includes an evaporator cool storage material unit covering the evaporator
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerating device used to reduce a temperature of drinks is provided and a higher refrigerating efficiency can be obtained through a control method and a control system thereof. The refrigerating device includes a pre-refrigeration unit used to pre-refrigerate a raw material; a main-refrigeration unit in communication with the pre-refrigeration unit and used to accommodate the pre-refrigerated raw material and refrigerate the raw material further; a dispenser in communication with the main-refrigeration unit and used to dispense the frozen drink in the main-refrigeration unit; and a refrigeration system providing a refrigerating capacity to the pre-refrigeration unit and the main-refrigeration unit.