JP3051283B2 - Frozen dessert supply device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for supplying frozen desserts,
In particular, it relates to a mechanism for maintaining the viscosity of frozen confectionery, that is, frozen confectionery.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A beverage or food (so-called frozen dessert) in which raw materials such as carbon dioxide, water, and syrup are uniformly mixed in a semi-frozen state is manufactured and supplied by a device having a freezing device. This frozen dessert is obtained by putting the raw materials in a stirring cylinder equipped with a cooling device and cooling while stirring, and is served for drinking or edible in a fluidized state. If not, ice comrades will stick together, and drinking it will make the mouth feel grainy, and the product value will drop.

[0003] That is, frozen desserts are always kept in a stirred state until they are drunk. During that time, if the cooling is insufficient, the ice melts and the liquid content increases, and conversely, the cooling is too long. If the liquid content decreases and becomes hard, the expected drinking sensation and taste cannot be obtained. In order to maintain the quality of such frozen desserts or similar frozen desserts, it has been proposed to pay attention to the viscosity of the mixture in the stirring cylinder, detect this viscosity as the torque of the stirring shaft, and keep the viscosity in a predetermined range. (The actual opening 56-125085
No.).

FIG. 9 shows an outline of the proposed device, in which a stirring shaft 1 is provided with a ball joint 5 having balls 3.
And is driven by a belt drive pulley 7 via the. When the viscosity of the mixture, that is, the frozen dessert increases, the stirring resistance (torque) increases, the ball 3 rises from the conical hole 5a against the spring 9, and the driving pulley 7 moves to the right ( Move to (in the figure). When the stopper 7a of the pulley 7 hits the ball joint 5, the protrusion 7b of the pulley 7
In the case of a, this is operated to stop the operation of the cooler. Even if the operation of the cooler is stopped, the rotation of the stirring shaft 1 by the pulley 7 is continued, and when the ice in the mixture starts to melt and the liquid content increases, the stirring resistance decreases. As a result, the ball 3 is pushed by the spring 9 into the conical hole 5a, the switch 11 for the cooler is closed again, and the operation of the cooler is restarted.

[0005]

As described above, in a conventional viscosity sensing or control mechanism using a ball joint, the number of parts involved in the operation of a switch for controlling the operation of a cooler is complicated in structure. Therefore, there is a problem that manufacturing errors vary greatly and stable control performance cannot be obtained. Another problem is that an attempt to obtain performance by tightening the manufacturing tolerances of individual parts inevitably increases the manufacturing cost. Instead of using a ball joint as described above, a quality management plan focusing on the relationship between the temperature and viscosity of frozen desserts has also been proposed. However, when the mixing ratio of the raw material (syrup, carbon dioxide gas, etc.) of the frozen dessert changes, the relationship between the hardness (viscosity) of the frozen dessert and the temperature also fluctuates, and there is a problem that a uniform control device cannot cope with the problem. The present invention has been made in view of such conventional circumstances, and provides a frozen dessert supply device having a stirring torque detecting device capable of appropriately controlling the hardness and viscosity of the dessert with a simple structure and little variation. It is the purpose.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a frozen dessert supply device according to the present invention is provided with a stirrer provided on the outer periphery thereof for mixing and stirring the supplied raw materials, A pair of couplings facing each other between a stirring shaft having a stirring blade and an output shaft of a drive motor, a torsion coil spring sandwiched between flanges of the pair of couplings, and a relative displacement between the flanges An agitation torque detection device including an optical rotation angle detection mechanism for detecting an angle is interposed. And the optical rotation angle detection mechanism is
Each is individually attached to the flange of the coupling, and includes a pair of light-shielding rings having light-shielding screens facing each other and defining a slit, and a light transmitting and receiving device provided across the pair of light-shielding screens. .

[0007] More preferably, the bosses of the pair of couplings are fitted and aligned coaxially. And
A torsion coil spring having locking arms bent radially outward at both ends is loosely fitted to an outer boss, and the locking arms at both ends are locked to the opposing surfaces of the coupling flange.

[0008]

In the configuration described above, the output of the drive motor is
It is transmitted to the stirring shaft via the stirring torque detecting device, and the stirring blades of the stirring shaft stir the raw material in the stirring cylinder or the finished frozen dessert. More specifically, the output torque of the drive motor is first transmitted to one coupling of the stirring torque detecting device, and further transmitted to the other coupling via a torsion coil spring, thereby rotating the stirring shaft. If the transmission torque, that is, the stirring torque is constant, the rotational (torsional) displacement of the torsion coil spring is constant, and the torque detected by the optical rotation angle detecting mechanism is constant. In this state, the width (circumferential direction) of the slit formed by the light-shielding screen of the opposing light-shielding ring of the optical rotation angle detection mechanism is constant, and the relative displacement angle detected by the light transmitting and receiving device is constant. When the viscosity of the mixture in the stirring cylinder fluctuates, for example, when the viscosity increases and the stirring (resistance) torque increases, the torque transmitted through the torsion coil spring also increases, thereby narrowing the width of the slit, and thus transmitting and receiving light. If it is detected by the device and exceeds a predetermined value, the operation of the cooler of the stirring cylinder is stopped. When the cooling is stopped, the ice content of the frozen dessert starts to melt, and if the liquid content increases and the viscosity decreases, the torque returns to its original value and the operation of the cooler is restarted.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts. First, referring to FIG. 1, a frozen dessert supply device 20 according to the present invention has a horizontal stirring tube or casing 21, and a pouring cock 25 protrudes from an end plate 23 thereof. The frozen dessert produced by stirring and mixing in the casing 21 is poured out by appropriately opening the pouring cock 25, and is served for drinking.

A cooler 27 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the casing 21.
A stirring shaft 29 having stirring blades 29a and 29b is rotatably supported inside. These blades 29a and 29b scrape ice that has grown and frozen on the inner surface of the casing 21 to form frozen dessert. The stirring shaft 29 is connected to the extension shaft 31, and the connecting portion is surrounded by the collar 33. The extension shaft 31 around which the mechanical seal 35 is attached is supported by a bush 37, as shown in particular in an enlarged manner in FIG.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the extension shaft 31 is connected to a coupling A41 of the stirring torque detecting device 40.
Via a key 43. With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the coupling B of the stirring torque detecting device 40 is shown.
45 is opposed to the coupling A 41, and is further connected to an output shaft 71 of a drive motor, that is, a gear motor 70 via a key 47.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 which is an exploded perspective view of the stirring torque detecting device 40, details of its structure will be described. The coupling A41 includes a flange portion 41a and a boss portion 41b. A key groove is formed inside the boss portion 41b so that the key 43 is fitted.
A groove 41c is formed on the outer periphery of 1a, and a pin 47 is fitted. Similarly, the coupling B45 also includes a flange portion 45a and a boss portion 45b, and a key groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the boss portion 45b, and the key 71 described above is fitted into the key groove. Further, a groove 45c is similarly formed on the outer periphery of the flange portion 45a, and a pin 49 protrudes from a surface of the coupling A41 facing the flange portion 41a. Then, the boss portion 45 of the coupling B45
b is the right end of the boss 45b of the coupling B45 (FIG. 3).
), And a bush 51 is sandwiched between the two. Therefore, the coupling A41 and the coupling B45 are coaxially aligned, and are relatively displaceable in the circumferential direction.

Referring to the torsion coil spring 53, which is one of the features of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, it fits loosely into the boss portion 45b of the coupling B45, and also fits the flange portion 41a of the coupling A41 and the cup. Ring B4
5 and the flange 45a. The single-piece shape of the torsion coil spring 53 is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.
a and 53b are shifted in the circumferential direction and each extend outward in the radial direction.

FIG. 6 shows how the torsion coil spring 53 is mounted.
Shown in The hooks 53a and 53b at both ends are locked by the pins 47 and 49 of the couplings A41 and B45, respectively. In this way, the torque from the gear motor 70 is transmitted to the coupling B45, and then transmitted to the flange 4
Power is transmitted from the pin 49 of 5 a to the torsion coil spring 53.
Then, it is further transmitted from the torsion coil spring 53 to the flange portion 41a of the coupling A41 via the pin 47, and finally the extension shaft 31 and the stirring shaft 29 are rotated. The torsion coil spring 53 deforms in the circumferential direction in proportion to the magnitude of the transmission torque.

Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, the light-shielding rings 55 and 57 are respectively fixed to the flange portion 41a of the coupling A41 and the coupling B4 by the set screw 59.
5 is attached to the flange 45a. Set screw 59
Are protruded into the groove 41c of the outer peripheral edge of the flange portion 41a and the groove 45c of the flange portion 45a, and three tips are used at equal circumferential intervals. The shapes of the light-blocking ring 55 are shown in FIGS. The light shielding ring 55 is provided with a screw hole 55a into which a set screw 59 is screwed to the main body. Further, a flange-shaped light-shielding screen 55b is firmly fixed to an end face near the light-shielding ring 57 by spot welding. This shading screen 55b
Are formed with three slits 55c having the same circumferential width. The light-blocking ring 57 also has a completely symmetrical structure with the light-blocking ring 55 described above, and is arranged as shown in FIG. The light-shielding screens 5 of these light-shielding rings 55 and 57
A U-shaped light transmitting / receiving device 61 is provided across 5b and 57b. The optical rotation angle detection mechanism is configured as described above.

The operation of the stirring torque detecting device 40 including the optical rotation angle detecting mechanism having the above configuration will be described. As described above, the characteristic of the torsion coil spring 53 is that the circumferential deflection is proportional to the transmission torque. Now, when assembling with no load, FIG.
As shown in (5), the light-shielding rings 55 and 57 are fixed to the couplings A41 and B45 using the set screws 59 so that the light-shielding screens 55b and 57b of the light-shielding rings 55 and 57 are completely overlapped when viewed from the axial direction. Since the tips of the set screws 59 are fitted into the grooves 41c and 45c, and the three set screws 59 are arranged at equal circumferential intervals, the light-shielding rings 55 and 57 are positioned in the circumferential direction. Adjustment is easy. In this state, the gear motor 70
When the rotational torque is transmitted from the flange portion 45b of the coupling B45 to the torsion coil spring 53 as described above, the torsion coil spring 53 is deformed in the circumferential direction. This deformation is
It is suitable for the agitation (resistance) torque, and the torque T
Is represented by the following equation.

[0017]

T = (α × B ₀ ) / (A ₀ + B ₀ ) − (α × B ₁ )
/ (A ₁ + B ₁ ) where α is a constant and A ₀ is the light-shielding screens 55 b and 57
This is the light shielding time corresponding to the width b (see FIG. 8). B
₀ is the light transmission time corresponding to the width of the light shielding slits 55c and 57c (see FIG. 8). B ₁ is a light shielding screen 55
The light transmission time corresponding to the width of the slit after b and 57b are relatively displaced in the circumferential direction and narrowed is expressed by the following equation.

[Number 2] B ₁ = B ₀ - △ A However, △ A is a light-shielding time corresponding to the relative circumferential displacement.

At the time of stirring, as described above, the light shielding ring 5
The light-shielding screens 55b, 57b of 5, 57 rotate while being displaced in the circumferential direction. And the light transmitting / receiving device 61
The light-shielding rings 55 and 57 rotate together with the coupling A41 and the coupling B45.
Send light to 1b. The light-shielding screens 55a and 57a of the light-shielding rings 55 and 57 block light when between the light-sending end 61a and the light-receiving end 61b, and form light-shielding slits 55c and 57c.
When it is between them, it passes light. Therefore, by measuring the light transmission time and the light shielding time, the torsion coil spring 5 is measured.
The transmission torque of No. 3, that is, the value of the stirring (resistance) torque based on the viscosity of the frozen dessert in the casing 21 is detected. Therefore, if the viscosity of the frozen dessert becomes larger than the predetermined value,
When the operation of Step 7 is stopped and the viscosity becomes smaller than the predetermined value, the operation of the cooler 27 is restarted, and thus the state of the frozen dessert is maintained well.

[0019]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the relative rotation of the flanged coupling opposed and connected via the torsion coil spring is detected by the optical rotation angle detection mechanism, the viscosity of the frozen dessert corresponding to the relative displacement in the circumferential direction can be accurately and stably detected. Thus, the viscosity of the frozen dessert can always be appropriately maintained. Furthermore, when detecting the above-mentioned relative displacement in the circumferential direction, the mounting and adjustment of the light-shielding ring can be easily performed, so that the only member that affects the detection accuracy is a torsion coil spring. , Accurate detection is possible. Furthermore, since the optical rotation angle detection mechanism is used, accurate detection can be performed without the influence of electric noise.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall sectional view showing a preferred embodiment of a frozen confectionery supply device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the frozen dessert supply device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away side view showing a main part of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a single structural view of one member constituting a main part of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an attached state of the one member constituting a main part of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a single-piece structural view of another member forming a main part of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view showing an example of a conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

20: frozen dessert supply device, 21: casing (stirring cylinder), 2
7: cooler, 29: stirring shaft, 29a, 29b: stirring blade, 31: extension shaft, 40: stirring torque detecting device, 41:
Couplings A, 41a: flange portion, 41b: boss portion, 45: coupling B, 45a: flange portion, 45
b: Boss part, 47, 49: Pin, 53: Torsion coil spring, 53a, 53b: Hook, 55: Light shielding ring, 55
b: light shielding screen, 55c: slit, 57: light shielding ring, 57b: light shielding screen, 57c: slit, 6
1 ... Transmission / reception device, 70 ... Drive motor, 71 ... Output shaft.

Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A23G 9/00-9/30 G01L 3/00-3/12

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A frozen confectionery supply device provided with a cooler attached to the outer periphery and provided with a stirring cylinder for mixing and stirring the supplied raw material, wherein a cooling shaft is provided between a stirring shaft provided with stirring blades and an output shaft of a drive motor. A stirring torque detecting device comprising: a pair of opposed couplings; a torsion coil spring sandwiched between flanges of the pair of couplings; and an optical rotation angle detecting mechanism for detecting a relative displacement angle between the flanges. A frozen dessert supply device characterized by being interposed. 2. The optical rotation angle detection mechanism includes a pair of light-shielding rings each having a light-shielding screen attached to a flange of the pair of couplings and facing each other, and a light transmitting / receiving device provided across the light-shielding screen. The frozen dessert supply device according to claim 1, comprising: 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pair of couplings have coaxially aligned bosses integrally formed at a central portion thereof. 4. The torsion coil spring of the optical rotation angle detecting mechanism is loosely fitted to a boss of the pair of couplings,
The frozen dessert supply device according to claim 3, wherein both end hooks of the torsion coil spring extending radially outward are engaged with pins protruding from flanges of the pair of couplings.