Toroidal Chocolate Mixer with Central Ball Mill Grinder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chocolate production devices are not compact enough, requiring extensive piping and pumping systems, which complicates installation and operation.
Innovation Solution
A compact device featuring a toroidal mixer with a rotatable mixing element and a ball mill grinder located within the mixer's central space, along with a taste-changer, forming a self-contained unit that eliminates the need for external pipes and pumps, allowing for simplified installation and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional chocolate production device is used with separate mixer and grinder components, then the mixing and grinding functions can be performed, but the device requires extensive piping and pumping systems increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mixer and grinder into a single integrated device where the mixer has a toroidal vessel with a central space that accommodates the grinder. This merging eliminates the need for separate piping and pumping systems to transfer material between components, directly reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The grinder is nested within the central space of the toroidal mixer vessel. This nested configuration allows the grinder to be positioned inside the mixer structure, eliminating the need for external connections and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining functional independence of both components.
2Device complexity
If a compact device with integrated mixer and grinder is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the mixing chamber volume and grinding capacity are constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The mixer uses a toroidal (ring-shaped) vessel instead of a conventional cylindrical chamber. This toroidal geometry provides a larger mixing chamber volume while maintaining a compact footprint, as the ring shape allows material to be mixed in a continuous path around the central axis without requiring excessive radial or axial space.
Solution Approach 2:
The toroidal vessel utilizes curved surfaces and continuous geometry to maximize mixing chamber volume within a compact form. The curved toroidal shape allows for more efficient use of space compared to angular or linear structures, providing adequate volume for mixing while maintaining compactness.
3Productivity
If multiple mixing elements are added to the toroidal vessel, then mixing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing elements are designed to perform multiple functions: they mix the ingredients, transport the material along the toroidal path, and facilitate grinding by interacting with the grinder in the central space. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, maintaining productivity while avoiding excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing elements are made rotatable about their own axes and about the central axis of the toroidal vessel, allowing dynamic adjustment of mixing action. This rotational capability enables efficient mixing through varied motion patterns without requiring complex mechanical structures, as the same rotating elements achieve multiple mixing objectives.
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 compact device efficiently mixes and grinds chocolate ingredients without the need for external piping, reducing installation complexity and enhancing operational efficiency by forming a self-contained unit that can be easily positioned and connected to electricity.
Implementation Method 1
the mixer comprises a toroidal, preferably annular vessel for receiving and mixing the ingredients
Implementation Method 2
the grinder, preferably a ball mill, is located in the central space of the toroidal vessel
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for producing chocolate by mixing and grinding ingredients, such as cacao mass, cacao butter, sugar and/or milk powder, comprising a mixer (3), a grinder (4), and means for passing the mixture from the mixer (3) to the grinder (4). The mixer (3) comprises a toroidal, preferably annular vessel (6) for receiving and mixing the ingredients.