Yogurt Fermenter Heating Control to Prevent Milk Sticking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional yogurt fermenters face issues with uneven temperature control, leading to potential burning or sticking of the milk mixture to the heating part, especially due to changes in outside air temperature, and require a large area for use and inconvenient handling.
Innovation Solution
A yogurt fermenter with a heating rod and temperature sensor that adjusts heating values based on real-time temperature measurements, using a predetermined control logic to maintain optimal fermentation temperatures and reduce heating power before temperature reversal points, ensuring uniform fermentation and easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional heating housing is used to maintain fermentation temperature, then the milk mixture can be heated, but the heating part becomes bulky requiring large area and the milk mixture may be burned or stuck to the heating part
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the heating parameters by using a heating rod with controlled heating value that can be adjusted based on temperature feedback. The controller modifies the heating value dynamically during fermentation, reducing it when the temperature difference between upper and lower portions reverses, thereby preventing burning while maintaining fermentation temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a temperature sensor continuously monitors the temperature of the milk mixture, and the controller adjusts the heating value of the heating rod based on this feedback. This closed-loop control prevents overheating and burning by reducing heating when the temperature difference reversal occurs.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the heating part is located at the lower portion of the milk container, then heating efficiency is improved, but temperature deviation between upper and lower portions increases causing surface temperature to exceed denaturation temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the heating system dynamic by continuously adjusting the heating value of the heating rod based on real-time temperature measurements. The controller dynamically responds to temperature changes and reversals, modifying the heating intensity to maintain temperature uniformity throughout the fermentation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating parameters dynamically during fermentation. When the temperature difference between upper and lower portions reverses, the controller reduces the heating value to prevent the surface temperature from exceeding the denaturation temperature, thereby maintaining temperature uniformity while preserving heating efficiency.
3Temperature
If stepwise temperature control method is used, then temperature can be maintained, but the milk mixture may be burned or protein may become hard when outside air temperature is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces stepwise temperature control with a feedback-based continuous control system. The temperature sensor continuously monitors the milk mixture temperature, and the controller adjusts the heating value in real-time based on this feedback, preventing burning and protein hardening by responding dynamically to temperature changes rather than using fixed stepwise increments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the temperature control dynamic by continuously adjusting the heating value based on real-time temperature measurements and the reversal of temperature difference. This dynamic control adapts to changing conditions including outside air temperature variations, preventing burning while maintaining fermentation temperature.
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 stabilizes fermentation, prevents burning and sticking, and allows for uniform results regardless of outside air temperature changes, while simplifying the cleaning process and reducing space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element built in a lower portion of the fermentation container
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor built in an upper portion of the fermentation container
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a yogurt fermenter and a method for automatically controlling the temperature of the yogurt fermenter. The yogurt fermenter and the method for automatically controlling the temperature of the yogurt fermenter, according to the present invention, can optimally ferment a fermentation material contained in a fermentation container by appropriately controlling a heating value of a heating element by a controller depending on a fermentation step of the fermentation material. In particular, considering the characteristics of the fermentation material which gradually decrease in fluidity as the fermentation progresses, the amount of heat generated by the heating element is controlled, and the fermentation material does not stick to a heating part, so that a user can easily clean the heating rod after the fermentation is completed.