Removable Heater Box for Flavor Coating Mixer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heater/mixers for manufacturing flavored products have permanently attached heater boxes, making it difficult to convert between gas and electric heating modules, necessitating manufacturers to produce and stock both types, which is inefficient and limits flexibility in use.
Innovation Solution
A mixer design featuring removable and interchangeable gas-fired and electrically heated heater boxes, secured to the frame via a releasable device, allowing for easy substitution and adaptation between heating types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the heater box is permanently attached to the frame, then the structural stability is improved, but the adaptability between gas and electric heating modules deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heater box is divided into a removable module that can be detached from the frame. This segmentation allows the heating module to be separated and replaced independently, enabling conversion between gas and electric heating types while maintaining the stability of the overall frame structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism is designed to be dynamically changeable, allowing the heater box to be securely fixed during operation for stability, yet easily removable when conversion between heating types is needed. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction between permanent attachment for stability and removability for adaptability.
2Ease of manufacture
If the heater box is permanently attached to the frame, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the ease of conversion between heating types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the heater box into a removable module with standardized attachment features, the manufacturing process remains relatively simple while enabling easy conversion. The modular design allows manufacturers to produce generic frames and attach different heating modules as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is designed with universal attachment features that can accommodate both gas and electric heating modules. This universality allows a single frame design to support multiple heating types, simplifying manufacturing while enabling easy conversion between heating methods.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manufacturers produce both electrically heated and gas flame heated mixers, then the adaptability to different sites is improved, but the device complexity and inventory requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A single mixer model is designed with universal compatibility for both gas and electric heating modules. This allows manufacturers to produce one base model that can adapt to different heating types, reducing the need to manufacture and stock multiple separate models for different sites.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating module is extracted as a separate, interchangeable component from the main mixer body. This extraction allows the heating type to be changed by simply replacing the module rather than converting the entire device, simplifying the overall system while maintaining adaptability to different sites.
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 operation with either gas or electric heating, simplifying maintenance and use in different environments, reducing manufacturing complexity and increasing user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
having a gas burner to produce a flame to produce the heat
Implementation Method 2
having an electric heating element, such as infra-red, to produce the heat
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for heating a flavored coating and mixing the heated flavored coating with an edible substrate is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a frame adapted to support a kettle, the kettle for containing the flavored coating and the substrate to be mixed, a first heater box operative as a heat source, and a second heater box operative as a heat source. The first heater box is removably secured to the frame to permit removal of the first heater box and substitution therefore with the second heater box.