A device for proportioning and mixing powdery raw materials of a beverage machine

Abstract

The present invention provides a device for proportioning and mixing powdery raw materials of a beverage machine, belonging to the technical field of automatic beverage machines. It includes a plurality of raw material storage bins, which are fixedly arranged on a base, and the base is fixedly arranged on the side wall of a vertical plate. The bottom of the raw material storage bin is fixedly connected to a quantitative feeding mechanism, and the quantitative feeding mechanism extends into a sealed suction and mixing chamber. The bottom of the base is fixedly connected to a sealed housing, and the sealed housing and the base form a sealed suction and mixing chamber. The sealed housing is fixedly provided with a plurality of air inlets; the bottom of the sealed housing is fixedly connected to a 3D printing raw material mixture. By setting up the raw material storage bins, the quantitative feeding mechanism and the 3D printing raw material mixture, quantitative cooperation and mixed transportation of various different powdery raw materials can be carried out, which can be realized in the application of automatic beverage machine products to produce beverages with excellent taste; through the design of the overall structure, it is convenient for disassembly and cleaning, ensuring the hygiene and health of the automatic beverage machine applied in public places.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of automatic beverage machines, and particularly relates to a powder raw material proportioning and mixing device for a beverage machine. Background Technique

[0002] An automatic beverage machine is a device that measures various different beverage raw materials, transports them through pipelines by a feeding and pumping mechanism, sucks them into a stirring and mixing device arranged inside the whole machine, mixes and stirs them into a mixed beverage with a certain ingredient ratio, sucks it out, automatically fills a cup, and completes the delivery through a discharge chute to the outlet. Among them, the beverage raw materials include powdered beverage raw materials and liquid beverage raw materials. Generally, a liquid pump is used to suck the liquid beverage raw materials. However, there are always the following difficulties in sucking powdered beverage raw materials on automatic beverage machines for automatically making beverages: 1) The raw materials for making beverages are of various types, and there is a ratio between different types of raw materials. Only by sucking the proportioned raw materials into the mixing device can a beverage with a good taste be made. Therefore, a structure for sucking after quantitative weighing of raw materials is lacking in the prior art; 2) Automatic beverage machines are used in public places, and strict hygiene requirements are imposed on them. It is necessary to frequently replace the raw material storage tank and clean each structure. In the existing powdered raw material quantitative mixing and sucking mechanisms, disassembly and assembly are not convenient. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the problems pointed out in the background technique, the present invention proposes a powder raw material proportioning and mixing device for a beverage machine.

[0004] The technical solution of the present invention is realized as follows:

[0005] A powder raw material proportioning and mixing device for a beverage machine, comprising a plurality of raw material storage bins. The plurality of raw material storage bins are arranged side by side and fixedly arranged on a base. The base is fixedly arranged on the side wall of a vertical plate. The bottom of the raw material storage bin is fixedly connected to a quantitative feeding mechanism. The quantitative feeding mechanism includes a quantitative feeding housing. A quantitative feeding sphere is rotationally fitted in the quantitative feeding housing. The spherical surface of the quantitative feeding sphere is adapted to the inner side wall of the quantitative feeding housing. The top of the quantitative feeding sphere is outside the quantitative feeding housing. A first discharge port is arranged at the bottom of the raw material storage bin. The bottom side of the first discharge port is adapted to the spherical surface of the top of the quantitative feeding sphere. A plurality of hemispherical feeding grooves are uniformly arranged on the quantitative feeding sphere. The plurality of hemispherical feeding grooves are all matched with the first discharge port. A second discharge port is arranged at the bottom of the quantitative feeding housing. The plurality of hemispherical feeding grooves are all matched with the second discharge port. The quantitative feeding mechanism passes through the base and extends into a sealed suction and mixing chamber. The bottom of the base is fixedly connected to a sealed housing. The sealed housing and the base form the sealed suction and mixing chamber. A plurality of air inlets are fixedly arranged on the sealed housing along its circumferential direction. The bottom of the sealed housing is fixedly connected to a 3D printing raw material mixture.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the quantitative feeding sphere is fixedly connected to a first rotating shaft. The first rotating shaft is fixedly arranged on the quantitative feeding housing through a bearing. The first rotating shaft extends outside the quantitative feeding housing and is sleeved with a first auxiliary sleeve shaft. A first gear is fixedly connected to the first auxiliary sleeve shaft. The first auxiliary sleeve shaft is fixedly connected to a motor shaft. The motor shaft is fixedly arranged on the vertical plate through a bearing. The motor shaft extends to the other side of the vertical plate and is fixedly connected to a motor. The motor is fixedly arranged on the vertical plate.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first gear meshes with the bottom of a gear belt. The top of the gear belt meshes with a second gear. The second gear is fixedly connected to a second auxiliary sleeve shaft. One end of the second auxiliary sleeve shaft is fixedly connected to one end of a second rotating shaft. The other end of the second rotating shaft is fixedly arranged on the side wall of the vertical plate through a bearing. The other end of the second auxiliary sleeve shaft is sleeved with a third rotating shaft. The third rotating shaft is fixedly arranged on the side wall of the raw material storage bin through a bearing and extends into the raw material storage bin. A plurality of stirring blades are fixedly connected to the third rotating shaft. The plurality of stirring blades are all inside the raw material storage bin.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the quantitative feeding housing is fixedly arranged at the bottom of the raw material storage bin through bolts. The base is provided with a through hole for the quantitative feeding housing to pass through. A sealing gasket is arranged on the outer periphery of the through hole of the base. The sealing gasket is in butt joint with the bottom of the raw material storage bin.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inner side wall of the metering feeding housing includes a spherical inner side wall and a cylindrical inner side wall. The spherical inner side wall is adapted to the metering feeding sphere, the cylindrical inner side wall forms the second discharge port, and the inner diameter of the cylindrical inner side wall is equal to the minimum outer diameter of the metering feeding sphere.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the 3D printing raw material mixture includes a mixing housing. The top of the mixing housing is in threaded fit with the bottom of the sealing housing through the internally threaded setting. A third discharge port is provided at the bottom of the mixing housing. A net plate is fixedly arranged inside the mixing housing, and a plurality of spiral shafts are fixedly arranged on the net plate. The spiral shafts pass through the bottom of the sealing housing and extend into the inside of the sealing housing. Spiral blades are fixedly arranged on the spiral shafts, and the mesh diameter of the net plate is greater than or equal to the distance between adjacent two of the spiral shafts.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, one side of the inner side wall of the sealing housing close to the 3D printing raw material mixture is inclined and set as an inclined inner side wall. A plurality of convex rings are sequentially arranged on the inclined inner side wall from top to bottom, and the air inlet direction of the air inlet is inclined downward.

[0012] In summary, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0013] 1. A raw material storage box, a metering feeding mechanism and a 3D printing raw material mixture are provided, which can perform quantitative matching and mixed transportation of various different powdery raw materials, and can be applied in an automatic beverage machine product to produce beverages with excellent taste.

[0014] 2. Through the design of the overall structure, it is convenient to disassemble, assemble and clean, ensuring the health and hygiene of the automatic beverage machine applied in public places. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0016] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram for realizing the rotation of the metering feeding sphere and the rotation of the stirring blades in an embodiment of the present invention. (a) is a front view of a part of the structure arranged on the vertical plate, and (b) is a side view of a part of the structure arranged on the vertical plate;

[0018] Figure 3 It is an enlarged view of the structure at position A in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 It is an enlarged view of the structure at position B in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 It is an enlarged view of the structure at position C in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Reference numerals: 1, raw material storage tank; 101, first discharge port; 2, base; 201, through hole; 3, vertical plate; 4, quantitative feeding mechanism; 401, quantitative feeding housing; 402, quantitative feeding sphere; 403, hemispherical feeding groove; 404, second discharge port; 5, sealed suction and mixing chamber; 6, sealed housing; 601, convex ring; 7, 3D printing raw material mixture; 701, mixing housing; 702, third discharge port; 703, mesh plate; 704, spiral blade; 8, first rotating shaft; 9, first auxiliary sleeve shaft; 10, first gear; 11, motor shaft; 12, motor; 13, gear belt; 14, second gear; 15, second auxiliary sleeve shaft; 16, second rotating shaft; 17, third rotating shaft; 18, stirring blade; 19, sealing gasket; 20, air inlet. Detailed implementation manners

[0022] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without making creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0023] As follows for reference Figures 1 - 5 to describe the present invention:

[0024] A powder raw material proportioning and mixing device for a beverage machine, as Figure 1 shown, is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. Through the product of this embodiment, with the negative pressure suction of the suction mechanism (not shown in the figure), the proportional quantitative transportation of multiple different raw materials and the uniform mixing between different ingredients can be achieved. The specific structure of the suction mechanism is not described in detail in this embodiment.

[0025] This embodiment provides a powder raw material proportioning and mixing device for a beverage machine, which includes a plurality of raw material storage tanks 1. The plurality of raw material storage tanks 1 store different powdered beverage raw materials respectively. According to the selection of different flavored beverages, the proportion of different beverage raw materials will change. The plurality of raw material storage tanks 1 are arranged side by side and fixedly provided on the base 2. The raw material storage tank 1 is fixed to the base 2 by screws; the base 2 is fixedly provided on the side wall of the vertical plate 3.

[0026] A quantitative feeding mechanism 4 is fixedly connected to the bottom of each raw material storage tank 1. The quantitative feeding mechanism 4 is used for quantitatively conveying beverage raw materials. Specifically, the quantitative feeding mechanism 4 includes a quantitative feeding housing 401, and the quantitative feeding housing 401 is fixedly arranged at the bottom of the raw material storage tank 1 through bolts; the base 2 is provided with a through hole 201 for the quantitative feeding housing 401 to pass through; therefore, the raw material storage tank 1 is first fixedly connected to the quantitative feeding housing 401 and then fixed on the base 2 through the through hole 201.

[0027] A quantitative feeding sphere 402 is rotationally fitted in the quantitative feeding housing 401. Specifically, a plurality of hemispherical feeding grooves 403 are uniformly arranged on the quantitative feeding sphere 402; a first discharge port 101 is arranged at the bottom of the raw material storage tank 1. When the quantitative feeding sphere 402 rotates, the first discharge port 101 will cooperate with the plurality of hemispherical feeding grooves 403 respectively, so that the beverage raw materials in the raw material storage tank 1 fall into the hemispherical feeding grooves 403. The hemispherical feeding grooves 403 have a certain volume, so the beverage raw materials contained in one hemispherical feeding groove 403 are used as the ratio base. In this embodiment, when the quantitative feeding sphere 402 rotates one week, eight portions of beverage raw materials will be obtained, but it is not limited to this, and it can be determined according to the number of hemispherical feeding grooves 403 on the quantitative feeding sphere 402.

[0028] In order to make the beverage raw materials only fall into the hemispherical feeding grooves 403, the inner side wall of the quantitative feeding housing 401 should just be adapted to the spherical surface of the quantitative feeding sphere 402. Specifically, the inner side wall of the quantitative feeding housing 401 includes a spherical inner side wall and a cylindrical inner side wall arranged from top to bottom; the spherical inner side wall in this embodiment is equivalent to cutting off the upper and lower parts of a complete spherical surface and leaving the middle part. The spherical inner side wall is adapted to the quantitative feeding sphere 402, and the cylindrical inner side wall forms a second discharge port 404; the top of the quantitative feeding sphere 402 is located outside the quantitative feeding housing 401 so that the hemispherical feeding grooves 403 can cooperate with the first discharge port 101. Further, the bottom side of the first discharge port 101 is adapted to the spherical surface of the top of the quantitative feeding sphere 402; the inner diameter of the cylindrical inner side wall is equal to the minimum outer diameter of the quantitative feeding sphere 402, where the minimum outer diameter of the quantitative feeding sphere 402 is the distance between the centers of the two hemispherical feeding grooves 403 with the farthest distance. Therefore, the two hemispherical feeding grooves 403 with the farthest distance in the quantitative feeding sphere 402 are placed opposite to each other and put into the spherical inner side wall from the cylindrical inner side wall, and the quantitative feeding sphere 402 can rotate in the spherical inner side wall and the quantitative feeding sphere 402 is not easy to fall out of the spherical inner side wall.

[0029] After the quantitative transportation by the hemispherical feeding tank 403, the beverage raw materials need to be discharged. A second discharge port 404 is provided at the bottom of the quantitative feeding housing 401. The second discharge port 404 is the cylindrical inner wall. A plurality of hemispherical feeding tanks 403 are all matched with the second discharge port 404.

[0030] In the specific structure of the rotational fit of the quantitative feeding sphere 402, as Figure 2 and 3 shown. The quantitative feeding sphere 402 is fixedly connected to the first rotating shaft 8. The first rotating shaft 8 is fixedly arranged on the quantitative feeding housing 401 through a bearing. The first rotating shaft 8 extends to the outside of the quantitative feeding housing 401 and is sleeved with a first auxiliary sleeve shaft 9. The first auxiliary sleeve shaft 9 has a card slot, and the first rotating shaft 8 has a convex card that matches the card slot, so that the first auxiliary sleeve shaft 9 and the first rotating shaft 8 will not slip when rotating after being sleeved; a first gear 10 is fixedly connected to the first auxiliary sleeve shaft 9, the first auxiliary sleeve shaft 9 is fixedly connected to the motor shaft 11, the motor shaft 11 is fixedly arranged on the vertical plate 3 through a bearing, the motor shaft 11 extends to the other side of the vertical plate 3 and is fixedly connected to the motor 12, and the motor 12 is fixedly arranged on the vertical plate 3. In summary, the first auxiliary sleeve shaft 9, the first gear 10, and the motor 12 are fixedly arranged on the side wall of the vertical plate 3. When it is necessary to install the raw material storage box 1, the first rotating shaft 8 on the quantitative feeding housing 401 is sleeved and matched with the first auxiliary sleeve shaft 9, and then the base 2 is fixed, so that the raw material storage box 1 can be conveniently replaced to ensure the health and hygiene of the raw material storage box 1.

[0031] When the beverage raw materials in the raw material storage box 1 are stored for a long time, caking will occur. Therefore, it is necessary to stir them. On the basis of the above structure, the bottom of the first gear 10 is meshed with the gear belt 13, and the top of the gear belt 13 is meshed with the second gear 14. Through the action of the gear belt 13, the second gear 14 rotates; the second gear 14 is fixedly connected to the second auxiliary sleeve shaft 15, and one end of the second auxiliary sleeve shaft 15 is fixedly connected to one end of the second rotating shaft 16; the other end of the second rotating shaft 16 is fixedly arranged on the side wall of the vertical plate 3 through a bearing. The other end of the second auxiliary sleeve shaft 15 is sleeved with the third rotating shaft 17. The second auxiliary sleeve shaft 15 has a card slot, and the third rotating shaft 17 has a convex card that matches the card slot, so that the second auxiliary sleeve shaft 15 and the third rotating shaft 17 will not slip when rotating after being sleeved. The third rotating shaft 17 is fixedly arranged on the side wall of the raw material storage box 1 through a bearing and extends into the raw material storage box 1. A plurality of stirring blades 18 are fixedly connected to the third rotating shaft 17. A plurality of stirring blades 18 are all inside the raw material storage box 1. The stirring blades 18 are used to stir the beverage raw materials in the raw material storage box 1. It should be noted that the stirring position of the stirring blades 18 can be specifically set according to the actual situation, and generally it is set at a position slightly below the center of the raw material storage box 1.

[0032] The quantitative feeding mechanism 4 extends through the base 2 into the sealed suction and mixing chamber 5, which is a highly sealed chamber. Specifically, a sealed housing 6 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the base 2, and the sealed housing 6 and the base 2 form the sealed suction and mixing chamber 5. A plurality of air inlets 20 are fixedly arranged along the circumferential direction of the sealed housing 6, and the air inlet direction of the air inlets 20 is inclined downward, as Figure 4 shown, which is an enlarged view of the structure at position B in the embodiment of the present invention; the bottom side of the inner side wall of the sealed housing 6 is inclined and is set as an inclined inner side wall; further, a sealing gasket 19 is arranged on the outer periphery of the through hole 201 of the base 2, and the sealing gasket 19 abuts and cooperates with the bottom of the raw material storage tank 1, and the sealing gasket 19 can prevent an air gap from existing between the raw material storage tank 1 and the base 2. In summary, through the negative pressure action of the suction mechanism (not shown in the figure), only the air inlet is inclined from the air inlet 20, so as to suck out the beverage raw materials on the inclined inner side wall of the sealed housing 6. A plurality of convex rings 601 arranged successively from top to bottom in cooperation with the inclined inner side wall can disperse the small particle agglomerates of the beverage raw materials. It should be noted that when there is no suction mechanism to suck the beverage raw materials, the air inlet 20 can be arranged on the outer side wall of the sealed housing 6, and then the air inlet 20 is connected to a blowing mechanism (not shown in the figure), and the beverage raw materials are also blown out by using the negative pressure principle.

[0033] The bottom of the sealed housing 6 is fixedly connected to the 3D printing raw material mixture 7, and the 3D printing raw material mixture 7 can be printed out by a 3D printer. The 3D printing raw material mixture 7 is used to uniformly mix a variety of beverage raw materials according to a ratio. As Figure 5 shown, which is an enlarged view of the structure at position C in the embodiment of the present invention, specifically showing the structure of the 3D printing raw material mixture 7. The 3D printing raw material mixture 7 includes a mixing housing 701, and the top of the mixing housing 701 is threadedly matched with the bottom of the sealed housing 6 through the internal threads provided; a third discharge port 702 is arranged at the bottom of the mixing housing 701, and the third discharge port 702 is connected to a suction mechanism (not shown in the figure); a mesh plate 703 is fixedly arranged in the mixing housing 701, and a plurality of spiral shafts are fixedly arranged on the mesh plate 703. The spiral shafts pass through the bottom of the sealed housing 6 and extend into the sealed housing 6, and spiral blades 704 are fixedly arranged on the spiral shafts; the mesh hole diameter of the mesh plate 703 is greater than or equal to the distance between adjacent two spiral shafts, which can prevent the beverage raw materials from being blocked. Under the negative pressure action of the suction mechanism, a variety of beverage raw materials are sucked into the 3D printing raw material mixture 7, mixed by the action of the spiral blades 704, and finally reach the suction mechanism through the mesh plate 703.

[0034] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A powder raw material proportioning and mixing device for a beverage machine, comprising a plurality of raw material storage bins (1), the plurality of raw material storage bins (1) being arranged side by side and fixedly arranged on a base (2), the base (2) being fixedly arranged on the side wall of a vertical plate (3), characterized in that, The bottom of the raw material storage box (1) is fixedly connected to a quantitative feeding mechanism (4). The quantitative feeding mechanism (4) includes a quantitative feeding housing (401). A quantitative feeding sphere (402) is rotatably fitted in the quantitative feeding housing (401). The spherical surface of the quantitative feeding sphere (402) is adapted to the inner side wall of the quantitative feeding housing (401). The top of the quantitative feeding sphere (402) is outside the quantitative feeding housing (401). A first discharge port (101) is provided at the bottom of the raw material storage box (1). The bottom side of the first discharge port (101) is adapted to the spherical surface at the top of the quantitative feeding sphere (402). A plurality of hemispherical feeding grooves (403) are uniformly arranged on the quantitative feeding sphere (402). All the plurality of hemispherical feeding grooves (403) are in cooperation with the first discharge port (101). A second discharge port (404) is provided at the bottom of the quantitative feeding housing (401). All the plurality of hemispherical feeding grooves (403) are in cooperation with the second discharge port (404). The quantitative feeding mechanism (4) passes through the base (2) and extends into the sealed suction and mixing chamber (5). The bottom of the base (2) is fixedly connected to a sealed housing (6). The sealed housing (6) and the base (2) form the sealed suction and mixing chamber (5). A plurality of air inlets (20) are fixedly arranged along the circumferential direction of the sealed housing (6). The bottom of the sealed housing (6) is fixedly connected to a 3D printing raw material mixture (7). One side of the inner side wall of the sealed housing (6) close to the 3D printing raw material mixture (7) is inclined and is set as an inclined inner side wall. A plurality of convex rings (601) are sequentially arranged on the inclined inner side wall from top to bottom. The air inlet direction of the air inlet (20) is inclined downward. The quantitative feeding sphere (402) is fixedly connected to a first rotating shaft (8). The first rotating shaft (8) is fixedly arranged on the quantitative feeding housing (401) through a bearing. The first rotating shaft (8) extends outside the quantitative feeding housing (401) and is sleeved with a first auxiliary sleeve shaft (9). A first gear (10) is fixedly connected to the first auxiliary sleeve shaft (9). The first auxiliary sleeve shaft (9) is fixedly connected to a motor shaft (11). The motor shaft (11) is fixedly arranged on the vertical plate (3) through a bearing. The motor shaft (11) extends to the other side of the vertical plate (3) and is fixedly connected to a motor (12). The motor (12) is fixedly arranged on the vertical plate (3). The bottom of the first gear (10) meshes with the bottom of the gear belt (13), the top of the gear belt (13) meshes with the second gear (14), the second gear (14) is fixedly connected to the second auxiliary sleeve shaft (15), one end of the second auxiliary sleeve shaft (15) is fixedly connected to one end of the second rotating shaft (16), the other end of the second rotating shaft (16) is fixedly arranged on the side wall of the vertical plate (3) through a bearing, the other end of the second auxiliary sleeve shaft (15) is sleeved and matched with the third rotating shaft (17), the third rotating shaft (17) is fixedly arranged on the side wall of the raw material storage tank (1) through a bearing and extends into the raw material storage tank (1), and a plurality of stirring blades (18) are fixedly connected to the third rotating shaft (17), and all the plurality of stirring blades (18) are located inside the raw material storage tank (1).

2. The powder raw material proportioning and mixing device of a beverage machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The quantitative feeding housing (401) is fixedly arranged at the bottom of the raw material storage tank (1) through bolts, the base (2) is provided with a through hole (201) for the quantitative feeding housing (401) to pass through, a sealing gasket (19) is arranged on the outer circumference of the base (2) at the through hole (201), and the sealing gasket (19) is in abutting fit with the bottom of the raw material storage tank (1).

3. The powder raw material proportioning and mixing device of a beverage machine according to claim 1, characterized in that The inner side wall of the quantitative feeding housing (401) includes a spherical inner side wall and a cylindrical inner side wall, the spherical inner side wall is adapted to the quantitative feeding sphere (402), the cylindrical inner side wall forms the second discharge port (404), and the inner diameter of the cylindrical inner side wall is equal to the minimum outer diameter of the quantitative feeding sphere (402).

4. A powder raw material proportioning and mixing device for a beverage machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The 3D printing raw material mixture (7) includes a mixing housing (701), the top of the mixing housing (701) is in threaded fit with the bottom of the sealing housing (6) through internal threads provided, the bottom of the mixing housing (701) is provided with a third discharge port (702), a mesh plate (703) is fixedly arranged inside the mixing housing (701), a plurality of spiral shafts are fixedly arranged on the mesh plate (703), the spiral shafts pass through the bottom of the sealing housing (6) and extend into the inside of the sealing housing (6), spiral blades (704) are fixedly arranged on the spiral shafts, and the mesh hole diameter of the mesh plate (703) is greater than or equal to the distance between two adjacent spiral shafts.

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