Dual-Container Food Processor with Shared Thermodynamic Heat Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for producing two different liquid or semi-liquid food products simultaneously are expensive due to the need for two high-power motors and independent thermal treatment systems.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a single motor for both stirrers and a shared thermodynamic heat treatment system with adjustable heat exchanger fluid flow rates, controlled by sensors and a control unit to optimize thermal power distribution between two containers processing different products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two independent high-power motors are used to process two different products simultaneously, then each product can be processed according to its specific requirements, but the machine becomes particularly expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two independent motor systems into a single motor that drives both stirrers through a common transmission mechanism. The single motor is coupled to a first stirrer directly and to a second stirrer through a transmission system, allowing both containers to be processed simultaneously while reducing the number of high-power motors from two to one, thereby reducing machine cost
Solution Approach 2:
The single motor system is designed to perform multiple functions by driving both the first stirrer in the first container and the second stirrer in the second container. The transmission mechanism allows the motor to adapt its power delivery to meet the different processing requirements of two different products, making one motor universal for both processing tasks
2Adaptability or versatility
If two independent thermal treatment systems are used to control two containers, then each product can be processed with optimal thermal parameters, but the machine becomes particularly expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two independent thermal treatment systems into a single shared thermal system. The first container and second container share common thermal treatment infrastructure, reducing the number of independent high-power thermal systems from two to one, thereby reducing machine cost while still allowing separate processing of different products
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal system incorporates dynamic control capabilities with sensors and a control unit that can adjust thermal parameters in real-time. This allows the single thermal system to adapt its operation to meet the different thermal processing requirements of two different products, providing optimal control for each product despite sharing the same thermal infrastructure
3Device complexity
If a single motor is used to drive both stirrers, then the machine cost is reduced, but it becomes difficult to provide different processing requirements for two different products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power transmission from the single motor to the two stirrers through independent transmission paths. The motor is coupled to the first stirrer through a first transmission mechanism and to the second stirrer through a second transmission mechanism, allowing independent control of each stirrer's speed and torque despite using a single motor source
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission mechanisms are designed to be dynamic, allowing the motor to deliver different rotational speeds and torques to each stirrer based on the specific processing requirements of each product. This dynamic capability enables the single motor system to adapt to varying processing conditions for two different products simultaneously
4Device complexity
If a shared thermal treatment system is used for two containers, then the machine cost is reduced, but it becomes difficult to optimize thermal parameters for each product
Solution Approach 1:
The shared thermal treatment system is segmented into separate thermal circuits or zones, with the first container having a first thermal circuit and the second container having a second thermal circuit. This segmentation allows independent thermal parameter control for each container while sharing common thermal treatment infrastructure such as heat exchangers or heating elements
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal system incorporates sensors that monitor thermal parameters in each container and feed this information back to a control unit. The control unit uses this feedback to dynamically adjust thermal parameters for each container independently, ensuring optimal thermal processing for each different product despite using a shared thermal system
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 simultaneous production of two different liquid or semi-liquid food products at reduced costs by using fewer components while maintaining optimal processing parameters, dynamically balancing thermal loads for efficient production.
Implementation Method 1
a thermodynamic heat treatment system (10) comprising a circuit with a heat exchanger fluid, a compressor (7) operating in the circuit on the heat exchanger fluid, a first heat exchanger (S1) affected by the heat exchanger fluid and in communication with the first container (2a) to exchange heat with the first product inside the first container (2a), a second heat exchanger (S2) affected by the heat exchanger fluid and in communication with the second container (2b) to exchange heat with the second product inside the second container (2b)
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for simultaneously making first and second liquid or semi-liquid products includes a first stirrer operating on a first container and a second stirrer operating on a second container. A thermodynamic heat treatment system includes a circuit filled with a heat exchanger fluid, a compressor operating on the fluid, a first heat exchanger affected by the fluid to exchange heat with the first container, and a second heat exchanger affected by the fluid to exchange heat with the second container. A first device for adjusting the flow rate of the fluid allows adjustment of the thermal power exchanged by the first heat exchanger. A second device for adjusting the flow rate of the fluid allows adjustment of the thermal power exchanged by the second heat exchanger. A control unit controls the first and second devices as a function of a measured operating parameter of the machine.