Device for controlling and monitoring apparatus for the production of ice-cream, milkshake and the like

0001The invention relates to a device for monitoring and controlling equipment for making ice cream, milkshake or the like.

0002Equipment for the production of ice cream, milk shake or the like from a pumpable approach have long been known. These devices rents in most cases by the manufacturer and maintained the each device often many 100 kilometers away from the manufacturer's location are placed scattered. The manufacturer's customer service needs in ride event of malfunction about the device and the malfunction fix. This can often take up to a day, in hours high Eiskonsums; Arise such as on hot summer days thereby serious past failures. In addition, the customer service needs also to resolve minor malfunctions of every drive device, because the local operator often with the operation is the device not familiar patterns, generating substantial costs.

0003The invention is based on the object, a device for monitoring and control of equipment for making ice cream, milkshake or to create the like of the application required reduced customer service locally on the devices to a minimum.

0004The object is solved by the features of claim 1. The core of the invention is, in the respective devices and in a base station providing mutually communicating mobile units, said selected operation data on a processor means in the respective device are transmitted to the base station, and then corresponding control data is sent to the respective device to the set desired operating state or to restore. Advantageous hereto is that, and in most cases by these remote diagnosis Remote control a ride of customer service to each device is not required.

0005According to claim 8, a speed sensor is provided on the agitator. at a three-phase motor, as typically used in equipment for the preparation of is used by ice cream, have voltage fluctuations in the power grid, as they often occur in countries where placed devices are, no influence on the speed of the motor. A change in the Speed ​​of the engine thus is directly related to the viscosity of the batch in the freezing cylinder together so that from the measured speed can be concluded that the viscosity of the batch and the viscosity can thus be detected easily.

0006Further advantages are evident from the other dependent claims.

0007Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description an embodiment with reference to the drawing. It shows<dl tsize="6" compact="compact"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>an apparatus for making ice cream in a schematized Vertical-longitudinal-section with a base station.</dd></dl>

0008A device for monitoring and control of devices for preparing of ice cream, milk shake or the like from a pumpable Approach has at least one such device 1 and a base station 2 on. The device 1, in the respective customer, ie for example in Department stores, erected. The base station 2 is located on the other hand the Manufacturer or central distribution of the devices 1, ie typically more 100 kilometers away from the location of the devices. 1 Each component 1 transmit data to the base station 2, so that the manufacturer anytime is informed about the operating state of each device and, optionally, be controlled from the operation of the equipment can without acting locally on each unit. 1

0009In the following, referring to Fig. 1 of the construction of an apparatus 1 explained. The device 1 is known in its basic structure, namely, for example, from EP 0225989 A1, EP 0229237 A1 and EP 0503254 A1. The apparatus 1 has a abgestütztes on the ground via rollers 3, Thus moveable housing 4. In the upper area of ​​the housing 4 is arranged designed as a freezing cylinder 5 tempering container, in a connecting line 6 a above the freezing cylinder 5 arranged-supply container 7 for a pumpable approach discharges of ice cream, milk shake or the like. The tempering tank is the tempering of the approach, ie the setting of a Temperature which can be between approximately -10 ° C and +90 ° C. Of the -Supply container 7 is located above a top of the housing 4 at the Cover 8 airtight ceiling.

0010In the freezing cylinder 5, a stirring and Schabwerk is arranged, below the is referred to as stirrer 9th This is driven by a motor 10 via a belt drive 11 can be driven, the belt 12 of the belt drive 11 rührwerksseitig via the agitator 9 an agitator shaft 13 related band and pulley is out 14th

0011For cooling, a coolant circuit is provided. This includes the lower Region of the housing 4 a compressor 15 and a via a line 16 associated with that coolant container 17. The coolant container 17 is via a conduit 18 in FIG. 1, not shown, Cooling coils, which are arranged in the supply tank 7, and the Freezing cylinder 5 surrounding cooling jacket 19 is connected, by the Coolant can flow. That the supply tank 7 and the cooling jacket 19 coolant exiting via a line 20 to the compressor 15 transports, which closes the coolant circuit. Further, a pneumatic circuit for driving air into the cylinder in the freezer 5 produced ice cream, milkshake or the like, and a removal device provided for this purpose, both not shown in Fig. 1 are.

0012In the device 1 is an operation data detecting means for detecting a selected set of operating data provided. This has a temperature sensor 21, which for in the supply tank 7 Measurement the temperature of the mixture placed in the supply tank 7 is. Further, an identical to the temperature sensor 21 trained Temperature sensor 22 provided in the freezing cylinder 5 to the temperature the approach in the freezing cylinder 5 to determine. Furthermore, compared to the band and pulley 14, a contact-free, general a known speed sensor 23 is provided, of the speed of the band and pulley 14 detects, for this purpose circularly arranged marking holes having. The speed of the belt pulley 14 is at a fixed ratio to the speed of the motor, the off the Transmission ratio of the belt drive results. In the motor 10 is it is a commercial three-phase motor whose rotational speed by frequently occurring voltage fluctuations substantially is unaffected. From the 23 identified by the speed sensor speed can, therefore, on the viscosity and hence the consistency of the approach be closed in the freezing cylinder 5, as with increasing viscosity of the mixture decreases the rotational speed measured by the speed sensor 23. By a measurement of the speed is thus a viscosity measurement the approach possible in the freezing cylinder. 5

0013The temperature sensor 21, the temperature sensor 22 and the speed sensor 23 are each connected via data transmission lines 24 25 and 26 27 on the input side connected to a processor device. The processor means 27, which may be configured as a normal microprocessor, is connected via a data transmission line 28 to a unit as Mobilfünk 29 formed connected communication terminal, after which GSM or UMTS standard works and the transfer of data to the Base station 2 and the reception of data from the base station 2 is used. The processor means 27 is the output side for influencing operating data of the device 1 via data transmission lines 30, 31, 32 with a the freezing cylinder 5 partly surrounding the heating element 33, the Compressor 15 and the motor 10. By appropriate, of the processor device 27 emitted signals, the temperature of Heating member 33 and thus the temperature of the mixture in the freezing cylinder 5 and modified in the supply container. 7 By passing a Control signal to the compressor 15 can be changed its performance and thus the temperature of the mixture optionally in the supply tank 7 or be reduced in the freezing cylinder. 5 Transmission of a control signal on the motor 10 can change its power output and therefore the action the agitator 9 are changed to the approach. Especially the motor 10 can be switched on or off.

0014The base station 2 has an opening formed as a mobile unit 34 base station data transmission for wireless transmission of data between the Mobilfünk unit 34 and the respective mobile units 29. Further, a basic control unit 35 is provided, which received the Operating data of the respective devices 1 detects, processes and optionally Control signals over the wireless unit 34 to the respective devices 1 sends, in order to influence its operating condition and in particular a proper operating condition to restore.

0015In the following the functioning of the device for monitoring and control of the devices 1 described in terms of various operating states. At predetermined times are from the devices 1 data transmitted to the base station 2, which include: device number, time of Temperature sensor 21 measured temperature, the temperature sensor 22 measured temperature, from the speed sensor 23 measured speed, Basic settings, 1 and certain of the processor means 27 determined, typed error numbers. Underground setting is the predetermined by the operator position of a switch understood, wherein between the states "Eisabgabe" "Pasteurization" and "preservation" can be selected.

0016In the operating condition "Eisabgabe" is the measurement of the viscosity of the batch in the freezing cylinder 5 and thus of the produced ice cream from central importance. If the viscosity is too low, this would prepared Ice cream in the consumption too much drop. Is the viscosity of the batch to high, so is the removal of the ice cream and the incorporation of air not possible anymore. A determining factor for the viscosity of the batch is the temperature. The base control unit 35 monitors extent that measured by the temperature sensor 21 temperature at no more than 5 ° C. If the temperature is too high, so is the mobile units 34 and 29, and the processor means 27 a control signal on where the compressor 15, so that in consequence the temperature of the batch is reduced in the supply tank 7 and the freezing cylinder. 5 After reaching of the predetermined temperature, the compressor 15 via a corresponding back off control signal or reduce its output. Does the viscosity of the batch in the freezing cylinder 5 and thus the the speed sensor 23 measured speed not within the standard value, it is for the case that the viscosity is too low, via the compressor 15, the Temperature of the mixture is reduced in the freezing cylinder. If the viscosity to high, the heating element 33 is controlled by the base control unit 35, the temperature of the batch to increase the freezing cylinder. in the Case of freezing of the mixture is measured by the speed sensor 23 Speed ​​to zero and the motor 10 is controlled by an overcurrent switch switched off. The base control unit 35 detects this state from the speed of zero and deep the, from the temperature sensor 22 measured temperature and outputs a control signal to the heating element 33 to heat. If the approach is thawed in the freezing cylinder 5, given a start signal to the motor 10, shut off the heating element 33 and the compressor 15 is switched back to normal operation.

0017In the operating state "pasteurization" is the approach in the freezing cylinder 5 and heated in the supply container. 7 For successful completion of the Pasteurisation must the approach to supply-container due to the Location of the heating elements 33 in the freezing cylinder 5 has a lower temperature as the approach in the freezing cylinder 5 has, for at least 30 seconds reach a temperature of at least 73 ° C. From the base control unit 35 is particularly measured by the temperature sensor 21 maximum temperature monitored. Is required for the pasteurisation reached temperature, the heating element 33 is turned off. The base control unit 35 also detects the conducted between successful Pasteurisierungen lying time intervals. If this over a predetermined limit are, so is either by the base control unit 35 a control signal to the heating element 33 to the beginning of the pasteurization given or operator of the respective device 1 prompted to select the device setting "pasteurization". She does this is not, so the device 1 is switched off by the base control unit 35, Otherwise contamination of the approach threatens by bacteria. If a pasteurization, for example by a power interruption interrupted at the respective device 1, before the pasteurization required temperature is reached, this is from the base control unit 35 recognized. Once the unit is powered on again, the pasteurisation process is started again, provided that the Time break was not too long. Was the time interruption is too long, so that it can be assumed that the batch is spoiled, the device is 1 is turned off via the base control unit 35th It must then by expert Staff are cleaned. Exceeds the temperature of the batch 90 ° C, the base control unit causes a shutdown of the heating element 33rd

0018In the operating state "Conserve", the batch total on a Storage temperature and situated between 0 ° C and 5 ° C, so that the Approach to a non-freezing and the other below a predetermined Storage temperature is maintained. Compliance with the required Temperature recognizes the basic control unit 35 of the of the temperature sensor 21 and the temperature sensor 22 measured temperatures. If the predetermined temperature be reached, then either by reducing the cooling power of the compressor 15 or by Switching in the heating element 33, the temperature can be increased. Should the predetermined storage temperature be exceeded, can be achieved by Increasing the capacity of the compressor 15, the temperature can be reduced.

0019certain errors are identified by the processor means 27 assigned and a specific error number. By mobile unit 29, only the error number will then be transmitted. This has the Advantage that the number of data to be transmitted can be reduced and the evaluation of the simplified data in the base control unit 35 becomes. The individual error numbers include the following associated errors of the processor device 27 due to the incoming Data are determined:<ul><li>If the temperature of the batch in the supply tank above 90 ° C, as the heating element 33 is switched off. This condition, a associated error number, remove the base control unit 35 can that probably the heating element 33 is malfunctioning.</li><li>If during pasteurisation a predetermined maximum heating time is exceeded, without the mixture reaches the target temperature of 73 ° C, this is associated with an error number. The basic control unit 35 can see from this that the heating element 33 is defective and not sufficiently heated. </li><li>Deviates from the speed sensor 23 measured speed of a Target speed sharply, especially if the measured speed is zero, this is associated with an error number. The basic control unit 35 assigns this inter alia the freezing of Freezing cylinder 5 to.</li><li>If the respective device 1 for more than a predetermined period in a basic setting with no cooling of the mixture, this is a associated error number, there is a risk that the approach spoils.</li><li>Is the approach for more than a predetermined period unpasteurized been, that is not at least 30 seconds in the supply container 7 is a temperature of 73 ° C has been reached, this is a associated error number, since the risk of destruction of the approach consists.</li><li>Enter the temperature sensor 21 or 22, for example, temperatures of below -15 ° C or above 90 ° C, so this is an error number assigned because it can be concluded that the temperature sensor may be defective.</li><li>If the respective device 1 in the basic setting "pasteurization" and a voltage collapse occurs, so that the pasteurization not can be continued, as this is associated with an error number, so then, optionally after re-application of the operating voltage continued pasteurization or the device when the elapsed Period is too long, can be decommissioned.</li></ul>

0020can via the previously described embodiment also more data captured and determined to the base station. It may be alia, the refrigerant pressure can be determined in the cooling circuit. Further , errors due to defective lines 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31, 32 are or mistakes that a defect of the processor means due 27 are to be transferred.