Rotating Vacuum Defrosting With IR Temperature Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing defrosting apparatuses, such as tumblers or mixers, often lead to surface overheating and inefficiency in the defrosting process, as they fail to accurately control temperature and energy usage, particularly when dealing with frozen food products.
Innovation Solution
A defrosting apparatus with a temperature-measurement system using an IR-sensor mounted on the lid, which measures surface temperature contactlessly and remains stationary during rotation, combined with vacuum application and controlled steam injection to optimize heating and prevent overheating, ensuring efficient defrosting while maintaining energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the product is heated during defrosting to increase defrosting speed, then the defrosting efficiency is improved, but the surface of the product is easily overheated and partially cooked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a temperature probe that continuously measures the product temperature and feeds this information back to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the heating power based on the measured temperature, reducing power when the surface approaches the target temperature and increasing power when the temperature is lower, thereby preventing surface overheating while maintaining efficient defrosting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the heating power during the defrosting process based on real-time temperature measurements. The system transitions from high-power heating at the beginning to reduced-power heating as the surface temperature approaches the target, creating a dynamic control strategy that adapts to the changing thermal state of the product
2Device complexity
If a stationary temperature probe is used to measure product temperature, then the temperature measurement is simple, but the probe may contact the rotating product causing measurement errors or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based temperature measurement system with a non-contact infrared temperature sensor. The sensor measures the thermal radiation emitted by the product surface to determine temperature without physical contact, eliminating the problems of probe contact with rotating product while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces infrared radiation as an intermediary between the temperature sensor and the product. The sensor detects thermal radiation emitted by the product surface, using this electromagnetic radiation as a mediator to obtain temperature information without direct mechanical contact
3Manufacturing precision
If the vessel rotates during defrosting to move the product, then the defrosting uniformity is improved, but the temperature measurement system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based temperature measurement system with a non-contact infrared sensor that can accurately measure temperature through the rotating vessel wall, simplifying the overall system by eliminating complex probe positioning mechanisms while maintaining measurement capability during rotation
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 solution effectively prevents surface overheating and optimizes energy use by precisely controlling the defrosting temperature, allowing for efficient defrosting of frozen products without damaging the temperature-measurement system, and enabling continuous temperature monitoring from the start of the process.
Implementation Method 1
temperature-measurement-means is an IR-sensor
Implementation Method 2
vacuum means to apply vacuum to the vessel at least temporarily during the defrosting process
Implementation Method 3
The sidewalls of the vessel and/or the baffles and/or paddles are preferably heated
Implementation Method 4
steam is added to the vessel to defrost the product
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a defrosting apparatus comprising a vessel which is partially filled with the product to be defrosted and which rotates and/or comprises means to move the product during defrosting.