Equipment for thermal food processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing industrial thermal food processing equipment lacks monitoring of working vessels within the cooking vessel, hindering automation and safety, as containers must be manually inserted and verified, and lid closure is not possible without reopening the vessel.

Innovation Solution

A hinged structure connected to a lever mechanism with a floating motor and inductive sensor allows for the monitoring of working vessels, preventing lid closure and enabling automation by detecting the presence of the vessel, with the inductive sensor connected to the control system for enhanced reliability and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual insertion of containers is used, then labor intensity is high and safety is compromised, but device complexity remains low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer insertionVSAvoidinsertion mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The working vessel serves itself by automatically engaging with the hinged structure and triggering the inductive sensor through its own positioning, eliminating the need for external automation mechanisms to detect or manipulate the container

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical verification of container presence is replaced by an inductive sensor that automatically detects the working vessel through electromagnetic induction, eliminating the need for physical inspection or complex mechanical verification mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If lid closure is prevented without monitoring, then safety is improved, but automation is hindered due to lack of presence verification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational safetyVSAvoidprocessing automation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The inductive sensor provides real-time feedback about the working vessel's presence to the control system, which automatically determines whether lid closure and subsequent processing steps should be permitted, enabling both safety and automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control system acts as an intermediary between the sensor and the processing operations, automatically interpreting sensor signals and executing appropriate actions (permitting or preventing lid closure, activating processing programs) without human intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If inductive sensor monitoring is implemented, then automation capability is enhanced, but device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevessel presence detectionVSAvoidmonitoring system

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Complex mechanical verification systems are replaced by a simple inductive sensor that passively detects the working vessel through electromagnetic induction, requiring no mechanical actuation or complex moving parts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The working vessel itself becomes part of the detection system by serving as the target for inductive sensing, eliminating the need for separate active transmitters or complex sensor arrays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If manual verification of container presence is required, then device complexity remains low, but productivity is reduced due to time-consuming verification steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing throughputVSAvoidverification system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inductive sensor continuously monitors the working vessel's presence without interruption, allowing immediate detection and automatic progression to processing operations, eliminating time-consuming manual verification intervals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

Time-consuming manual visual inspection is replaced by instantaneous electromagnetic induction detection, reducing verification time from seconds or minutes to milliseconds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical 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

This solution enables higher automation possibilities and increased safety by ensuring the presence of the working vessel is detected, automatically activating processing programs and preventing unsafe operations, thus improving the efficiency and safety of thermal food processing.

Implementation Method 1

the inductive sensor switches on and the equipment knows instantly that it is not possible to close the lid of the cooking vessel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3498137B1Equipment for thermal food processing

Publication Date: 2020.02.12 JIPA CZ SRO

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AI summary

Equipment for thermal food processing, specifically equipment for thermal food processing comprising a frame (3), a cooking vessel (4) and at least one working vessel (1) for insertion into a space of the cooking vessel (4), which is a frying basket and/or boiling basket, where the working container (1) is suspended on a hinged structure (2) which is connected with a lever mechanism (19), which comprises a floating motor (10) and an inductive sensor (15).