An automated feeding device for food ingredient production processing

Abstract

The application discloses an automatic feeding device for food ingredient production and processing, and relates to the technical field of spiral feeding, which comprises a feeding cylinder, a spiral feeding mechanism, a foreign matter removing mechanism and a feeding rack. Two blades of the foreign matter removing mechanism are arranged on both sides of the thickness direction of the spiral blade and form a spiral matching channel. The foreign matter removing mechanism scrapes the spiral blade and the spiral shaft sleeve at the foreign matter removing coupling position and blocks the residual material. The spiral feeding mechanism still keeps the tail end coupled after reaching the maximum exit position. The foreign matter removing mechanism drives the spiral feeding mechanism to separate from the residual material through short-range movement. Then, the spiral blade rotates in the positive direction to rotate into the feeding cylinder and transport the residual material, so that the reverse rotation, the short-range material removal and the positive rotation reset are continuously completed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of spiral conveyor equipment for food ingredients, and particularly to an automated feeding device for food ingredient production and processing. Background Technology

[0002] In the food ingredient production process, screw feeding equipment is often used to transport powdery, granular or small flake materials. Existing screw feeding equipment usually includes a feeding cylinder, a screw shaft and screw blades set in the feeding cylinder, and a rotating drive component installed at the end of the feeding cylinder. After the food ingredients enter the feeding cylinder from the inlet, they are pushed to the outlet by the rotating screw blades.

[0003] After the food ingredients are conveyed, they tend to adhere to the sides of the spiral blades, the outer circumference of the spiral shaft, and the end of the feeding cylinder. In particular, ingredients with a certain oil content, sugar content, or hygroscopicity are more likely to form an adhesive residue. Conventional forward and reverse discharge can only push the loose residue, making it difficult to simultaneously peel off the residue adhering to the surface of the spiral blades and spiral shaft. Disassembling the spiral for manual cleaning will increase downtime and pose a risk of incomplete cleaning and cross-residue of food ingredients from different batches.

[0004] While existing quick-release screw feeders can unlock the end lock and extract the screw assembly, they lack a fixed cleaning benchmark for synchronously scraping material from both sides of the screw blades and the outer circumference of the screw shaft during the extraction process. The stripped residue may also be carried out with the screw assembly. Furthermore, there is a lack of controlled separation and reset path between the extracted screw assembly and the residue inside the cylinder. Therefore, it is necessary to provide an automated feeding device that can continuously complete screw cleaning, residue retention, short-stroke unloading, and forward rotation reset without setting up an independent long-stroke reset mechanism. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automated feeding device for food ingredient production and processing, so as to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an automated feeding device for food ingredient production and processing, comprising a feeding cylinder and a spiral feeding mechanism arranged along the axial direction of the feeding cylinder. The spiral feeding mechanism includes a spiral sleeve, spiral blades fixed to the outer periphery of the spiral sleeve, and a rotary drive motor that is drivenly connected to the spiral sleeve. The driving side of the feeding cylinder is provided with a cleaning mechanism and an axial drive structure. The cleaning mechanism slides axially with the feeding cylinder and is circumferentially limited, and is drivenly connected to the axial drive structure.

[0007] The cleaning mechanism includes a first cleaning block and a second cleaning block that are fixedly connected. Both the first cleaning block and the second cleaning block have blade-adapting arc surfaces. The two blade-adapting arc surfaces extend along the spiral direction of the spiral blade and are placed on both sides of the thickness direction of the spiral blade. A spiral mating channel is formed between the two blade-adapting arc surfaces to allow the spiral blade to rotate through and axially capture its tail blade segment. The first cleaning block and the second cleaning block together form a material-blocking end face on the side facing the inside of the feeding cylinder.

[0008] The cleaning mechanism moves axially between the feeding avoidance position away from the spiral blade and the cleaning coupling position that engages with the end of the spiral blade. The spiral blade and the spiral engagement channel form a spiral drive pair. When the cleaning mechanism is in the cleaning coupling position, the spiral blade reverses and drives the spiral feeding mechanism to axially retract. When the spiral blade reaches the maximum retraction position, its tail blade segment is still located in the spiral engagement channel. The cleaning mechanism then moves towards the feeding avoidance position to the short-distance unloading position and drives the spiral feeding mechanism to continue moving axially through the tail blade segment. When the cleaning mechanism is in the short-distance unloading position, the spiral blade rotates clockwise and spirals into the feeding cylinder along the spiral engagement channel.

[0009] Preferably, the screw feeding mechanism further includes a guide shaft, which passes through the screw sleeve along the axial direction of the feeding cylinder. The screw sleeve and the guide shaft form an axial sliding fit. The screw sleeve and the guide shaft remain axially aligned when the screw feeding mechanism reaches the maximum withdrawal position and the short-distance unloading position.

[0010] Preferably, the rotation direction and pitch of the two blade mating arc surfaces are matched with the rotation direction and pitch of the helical blade, and the distance between the two blade mating arc surfaces is greater than the thickness of the helical blade, so as to form a sliding working gap between the helical mating channel and the helical blade. The helical mating channel extends along the circumference of the helical blade and has an axial limiting surface.

[0011] Preferably, the inner circumferences of the first and second cleaning blocks together form a sleeve scraping hole that mates with the spiral sleeve. A rotational working clearance is provided between the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve scraping hole and the outer circumferential surface of the spiral sleeve. An axial movement working clearance is provided between the outer circumferential contours of the first and second cleaning blocks and the inner wall of the feeding cylinder. The blocking end face extends along the cross-section of the feeding cylinder and is located on the path of the stripped residue moving toward the driving end of the feeding cylinder.

[0012] Preferably, the drive side end of the feeding cylinder has a slot extending along its axial direction. The cleaning mechanism also includes a stop block connecting plate and a slot sealing plate. The stop block connecting plate is fixedly connected to the first cleaning stop block and the second cleaning stop block and passes through the slot. The two side walls of the slot form an axial sliding and circumferential limiting fit with the stop block connecting plate. The slot sealing plate is fixedly set on the stop block connecting plate and covers the gap between the stop block connecting plate and the periphery of the slot. The axial covering length of the slot sealing plate is greater than the stroke of the cleaning mechanism from the cleaning coupling position to the short-distance unloading position.

[0013] Preferably, the cleaning mechanism further includes an arc-shaped connecting frame, and the axial drive structure includes a lead screw sleeve, a cleaning drive lead screw, and a cleaning drive motor. The arc-shaped connecting frame is fixedly connected to the stop block connecting plate, the first cleaning stop block, and the second cleaning stop block. The lead screw sleeve is fixedly mounted on the arc-shaped connecting frame. The cleaning drive lead screw extends axially along the feeding cylinder and is threadedly engaged with the lead screw sleeve. The cleaning drive motor is fixedly installed on the outside of the feeding cylinder and is drivenly connected to the cleaning drive lead screw. The cleaning drive lead screw and the lead screw sleeve form a self-locking lead screw pair.

[0014] Preferably, the screw feeding mechanism further includes a sealing seat and an axial slide rod. The sealing seat is plugged into the drive end of the feeding cylinder. The rotary drive motor is fixedly installed on the outside of the sealing seat, and the axial slide rod is fixedly installed below the sealing seat. The automated feeding device also includes a feeding frame that fixes and supports the feeding cylinder. The feeding frame is provided with a guide groove extending along the axial direction of the feeding cylinder. The axial slide rod passes through the guide groove and has a guide plane that cooperates with the guide groove. The effective length of the guide groove includes the reverse exit stroke and the short-stroke unloading stroke of the screw feeding mechanism. When the screw feeding mechanism reaches the maximum exit position, the axial slide rod retains a remaining sliding amount in the guide groove that is not less than the short-stroke unloading stroke.

[0015] Preferably, the sealing seat is inserted into the drive end opening of the feeding cylinder, and the drive end of the feeding cylinder is provided with an axial locking structure that cooperates with the sealing seat. The axial locking structure has a locking state that restricts the axial movement of the sealing seat when it is inserted into the drive end opening, and an unlocking state that releases the axial constraint of the sealing seat.

[0016] Preferably, the tail blade segment on the side of the helical blade away from the rotary drive motor remains within the helical engagement channel at the maximum exit position. The end of the guide groove away from the feeding cylinder forms a short-stroke unloading safety limit end. The effective engagement length of the helical blade within the helical engagement channel corresponds to the forward rotation stroke of the helical feeding mechanism, so that when the sealing seat is inserted into the drive end opening of the feeding cylinder, the blade termination segment on the side of the helical blade near the rotary drive motor disengages from the helical engagement channel.

[0017] Preferably, the two blade fitting arc surfaces facing the end of the spiral blade respectively form a first guide slope and a second guide slope. The first guide slope and the second guide slope extend along the spiral direction of the spiral blade and together form a blade inlet that communicates with the spiral mating channel.

[0018] The technical effects and advantages of this invention are as follows: 1. The present invention forms two blade-adapting arc surfaces, a bushing scraping hole, and a blocking end face by a fixedly connected first and second cleaning block. When the cleaning mechanism is in the cleaning coupling position, the spiral blades can rotate out in reverse along the spiral mating channel. The two blade-adapting arc surfaces scrape the material on both sides of the spiral blade thickness direction, the bushing scraping hole cleans the outer circumference of the spiral bushing simultaneously, and the blocking end face leaves the stripped residue inside the feeding cylinder. Thus, during the exit of the spiral feeding mechanism, a cleaning path is formed in which blade cleaning, bushing cleaning, and residue retention cooperate with each other, reducing the problem that it is difficult to remove the attached residue by simply rotating the spiral in both directions. 2. This invention keeps the spiral blades in the spiral engagement channel with the tail blade segment even at the maximum exit position, and allows the cleaning mechanism to continue moving a short stroke by traction of the spiral feeding mechanism through the axial limiting surface after the spiral stops rotating. This creates an axial separation gap between the spiral blades and the residual material left on the blocked end face. Subsequently, the cleaning mechanism remains in the short-stroke unloading position and serves as the reaction force reference for the spiral blades to rotate forward. This allows the same cleaning mechanism to continuously perform the functions of reverse cleaning, short-stroke unloading, and forward reset, thereby eliminating the need for an independent long-stroke reset drive and improving the residual material separation and reset discharge path. 3. This invention, through the axial sliding fit between the guide shaft and the spiral bushing, and the guiding fit between the axial slide rod and the guide groove, enables the spiral feeding mechanism to maintain coaxial movement during reverse exit, short-stroke unloading, and forward rotation reset. The fit between the stop block connecting plate and the end slot of the feeding cylinder simultaneously restricts the circumferential rotation of the cleaning mechanism. The self-locking screw pair bears axial reaction force at the cleaning coupling position and the short-stroke unloading position. With the releaseable quick-release locking structure of the sealing seat and the interlocking of the conventional position, feeding, unlocking, cleaning, unloading, reset, and relocking are performed in a predetermined sequence, which helps to reduce the possibility of spiral sway, the cleaning mechanism following the rotation, and jamming caused by incomplete action. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the internal structure of the feeding cylinder of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the spiral feeding mechanism of the present invention in the axial withdrawal state.

[0022] Figure 4This is an exploded structural diagram of the spiral feeding mechanism and the cleaning mechanism of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the cleaning mechanism of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first cleaning block, the second cleaning block, and the blade adapting arc surface of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure from another perspective of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the axial drive structure of the cleaning mechanism and a partial structure of the feeding frame of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 9 This is a partially exploded structural diagram of the feed cylinder drive side of the present invention.

[0028] In the diagram: 1. Feeding cylinder; 11. Feed pipe; 12. Discharge pipe; 2. Screw feeding mechanism; 21. Screw bushing; 211. Guide shaft; 22. Screw blade; 23. Sealing seat; 24. Rotary drive motor; 25. Axial slide bar; 3. Cleaning mechanism; 31. First cleaning stop block; 311. Blade fitting arc surface; 32. Second cleaning stop block; 33. Stop block connecting plate; 331. Groove sealing plate; 34. Arc-shaped connecting frame; 341. Screw sleeve; 342. Cleaning drive screw; 343. Cleaning drive motor; 4. Feeder frame; 41. Guide chute. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] like Figures 1 to 9 As shown, the automated feeding device for food ingredient production and processing provided by the present invention essentially utilizes the cooperative relationship between the same cleaning mechanism 3 and the spiral blade 22, which allows for rotatable passage and axial capture, to continuously complete spiral reverse rotation for cleaning, short-distance traction for unloading, and spiral forward rotation for resetting.

[0031] In terms of specific structural installation, the structural body can be constructed according to the inventive concept of this embodiment. This embodiment does not impose special limitations on conventional support components, fasteners and electrical connection methods that do not affect the core mating relationship.

[0032] In this embodiment, the direction in which food ingredients move from the feed pipe 11 to the discharge pipe 12 is taken as the feeding direction, the end of the feeding cylinder 1 near the rotary drive motor 24 is taken as the driving end, and the end of the feeding cylinder 1 near the discharge pipe 12 is taken as the discharge end. The axes of the feeding cylinder 1, the spiral sleeve 21, the guide shaft 211 and the spiral blade 22 extend in the same horizontal direction.

[0033] The feeding frame 4 is formed by welding profiles or plates and is set below the feeding cylinder 1. The feeding cylinder 1 is fixed to the feeding frame 4 by support seats arranged at intervals along its length. The upper part of the feeding cylinder 1 is provided with an inlet pipe 11 communicating with its inner cavity, and the lower part of the outlet end is provided with an outlet pipe 12 communicating with its inner cavity. The feeding cylinder 1, spiral bushing 21, spiral blade 22, first cleaning block 31 and second cleaning block 32 that come into contact with food ingredients are made of food-grade stainless steel, and the relevant sealing parts are made of food-grade elastic sealing material.

[0034] The screw feeding mechanism 2 includes a screw sleeve 21, a guide shaft 211, a screw blade 22, a sealing seat 23, a rotary drive motor 24, and an axial slide bar 25. The screw blade 22 extends continuously along the outer circumference of the screw sleeve 21 and is welded and fixed to the screw sleeve 21. The rotary drive motor 24 is fixedly installed on the outside of the sealing seat 23. The rotary drive motor 24 is a servo motor with a reducer. The output shaft of the reducer is connected to the drive end of the screw sleeve 21 through a coaxial coupling. A bearing assembly is provided in the sealing seat 23 to provide rotatable support for the drive end of the screw sleeve 21. An end seal is provided at the position where the screw sleeve 21 passes through the sealing seat 23 to reduce the possibility of material leakage from the drive end.

[0035] One end of the guide shaft 211 is fixed on the end support of the discharge end of the feeding cylinder 1, and the other end of the guide shaft 211 extends axially into the spiral sleeve 21 along the feeding cylinder 1. An axial sliding fit is formed between the inner hole of the spiral sleeve 21 and the outer circumference of the guide shaft 211. The guide shaft 211 is not connected to the rotary drive motor 24 for transmission, nor does it transmit torque to the spiral sleeve 21 through splines or keyways. The lengths of the guide shaft 211 and the spiral sleeve 21 are set according to the sum of the reverse exit stroke and the short-stroke unloading stroke, so that the two remain axially aligned at the end of the short-stroke unloading and provide coaxial guidance.

[0036] The axial slide bar 25 is fixedly installed below the sealing seat 23 and moves synchronously with the sealing seat 23, the rotary drive motor 24, the spiral bushing 21 and the spiral blade 22. In this embodiment, the axial slide bar 25 adopts a non-circular cross-section rod with two opposing guide planes. The drive end of the feeder frame 4 is provided with a guide groove 41 extending along the axial direction of the feed cylinder 1. The axial slide bar 25 passes through the guide groove 41. The guide groove 41 slides in cooperation with the two guide planes to limit the lateral swing of the spiral feeding mechanism 2 and the deflection around the axis of the feed cylinder 1. The axial length of the guide groove 41 covers the reverse exit stroke and the short-stroke unloading stroke, and its outer end forms a safety limit end to prevent the axial slide bar 25 from continuing to move outward.

[0037] The end of the sealing seat 23 facing the feeding cylinder 1 has a cylindrical sealing section that is inserted into the opening of the driving end of the feeding cylinder 1. The outer circumference of the cylindrical sealing section is provided with an annular sealing groove and equipped with a food-grade sealing ring. After the sealing seat 23 is inserted into the feeding cylinder 1, the feeding position is maintained by a releasable axial locking structure. In this embodiment, the axial locking structure adopts an existing split quick-release clamp. The cylinder end flange of the driving end of the feeding cylinder 1 and the seat flange of the sealing seat 23 are clamped together by the annular clamping groove on the inner side of the clamp. An annular end face seal is provided between the two flanges. When the conventional actuator cylinder drives the clamp to close, it restricts the axial withdrawal of the sealing seat 23. When the actuator cylinder drives the clamp to separate, it releases the axial constraint of the sealing seat 23. This locking structure and its actuator cylinder are mature locking components and are only used for positioning the feeding position and unlocking before cleaning.

[0038] The cleaning mechanism 3 includes a first cleaning block 31, a second cleaning block 32, a block connecting plate 33, a slot sealing plate 331, and an arc-shaped connecting frame 34. The first cleaning block 31, the second cleaning block 32, the block connecting plate 33, and the arc-shaped connecting frame 34 are connected by welding or fastening to form an integral structure with a fixed relative position. The first cleaning block 31 and the second cleaning block 32 are located inside the drive end of the feeding cylinder 1. The block connecting plate 33 passes through the axial slot at the drive end of the feeding cylinder 1 and is connected to the arc-shaped connecting frame 34 located outside the feeding cylinder 1, so that the axial drive structure can drive the first cleaning block 31 and the second cleaning block 32 to move synchronously from the outside of the feeding cylinder 1.

[0039] The first cleaning block 31 and the second cleaning block 32 are respectively formed with blade-adapting arc surfaces 311. The rotation direction and pitch of the two blade-adapting arc surfaces 311 are matched with the spiral blade 22 and are placed on both sides of the thickness direction of the spiral blade 22. The distance between the two blade-adapting arc surfaces 311 is greater than the thickness of the spiral blade 22 and forms a sliding working gap, so that the spiral blade 22 can rotate relative to the cleaning mechanism 3. The two blade-adapting arc surfaces 311 extend along the circumference of the spiral blade 22 and form axial limiting surfaces on both sides of the channel, so that after the spiral blade 22 stops rotating, the cleaning mechanism 3 can capture the tail blade segment through the axial limiting surface and transmit short-range traction force.

[0040] Two blade-adapting arc surfaces 311 face the inlet end of the helical blade 22 to form a first inlet slope and a second inlet slope, respectively. The first inlet slope and the second inlet slope together define the blade inlet along the helical direction. When the helical blade 22 is stopped at a preset phase, its end can enter the helical mating channel under the guidance of the inlet slope. The inlet slope and the blade-adapting arc surface 311 adopt a smooth transition to reduce the possibility of end collision when establishing cleaning coupling.

[0041] The inner circumferences of the first cleaning block 31 and the second cleaning block 32 together define the bushing scraping hole. The outline of the bushing scraping hole matches the outer circumferential outline of the spiral bushing 21 and retains a rotational working clearance. This rotational working clearance allows the inner circumference of the bushing scraping hole to approach the outer circumference of the spiral bushing 21 without interfering with the rotation of the spiral bushing 21, so as to prevent the attached residual material protruding from the outer circumference of the spiral bushing 21 from passing through it. The side of the first cleaning block 31 and the second cleaning block 32 facing the inside of the feeding cylinder 1 together forms a material blocking end face extending along the cross-section of the feeding cylinder 1. An axial movement working clearance is retained between the outer circumference of the first cleaning block 31 and the second cleaning block 32 and the inner wall of the feeding cylinder 1, so as to avoid rigid friction between the cleaning mechanism 3 and the inner wall of the feeding cylinder 1 while scraping and blocking the material.

[0042] The axial groove width at the drive side end of the feeding cylinder 1 is greater than the thickness of the stop connecting plate 33 and less than the width that hinders its circumferential swing. The two side walls of the groove form an axial sliding and circumferential limiting fit with the two sides of the stop connecting plate 33. The groove sealing plate 331 is fixed on the outside of the stop connecting plate 33 and extends axially along the feeding cylinder 1. The width of the groove sealing plate 331 is greater than the width of the groove and both sides cover the periphery of the groove. The axial length of the groove sealing plate 331 is greater than the stroke of the cleaning mechanism 3 from the cleaning coupling position to the short-distance unloading position, so that the groove sealing plate 331 continuously blocks the groove throughout the entire stroke of the cleaning mechanism 3. A wear-resistant sealing strip is provided on the surface of the groove sealing plate 331 facing the feeding cylinder 1 to take into account both sliding and preventing food ingredients from leaking out of the groove.

[0043] The axial drive structure of the cleaning mechanism 3 includes a lead screw sleeve 341, a cleaning drive lead screw 342, and a cleaning drive motor 343. The lead screw sleeve 341 is fixed on the arc-shaped connecting frame 34. The cleaning drive lead screw 342 is arranged axially along the feeding cylinder 1 and threadedly engaged with the lead screw sleeve 341. The two ends of the cleaning drive lead screw 342 are rotatably supported on the fixed bracket outside the feeding cylinder 1 through bearing seats. The cleaning drive motor 343 is fixed on the fixed bracket and is connected to one end of the cleaning drive lead screw 342 through a coupling. In this embodiment, a small lead trapezoidal thread is used to form a self-locking lead screw pair between the cleaning drive lead screw 342 and the lead screw sleeve 341, so as to maintain the position of the cleaning mechanism 3 and withstand the axial reaction force generated by the reverse rotation of the screw and the forward rotation of the screw after the cleaning drive motor 343 stops.

[0044] The cleaning mechanism 3 has a feeding avoidance position, a cleaning coupling position, and a short-stroke unloading position. In the feeding avoidance position, the two blades' adapting arc surface 311 is disengaged from the normal rotation and material conveying path of the spiral blade 22. In the cleaning coupling position, the end of the spiral blade 22 enters the spiral engagement channel. The short-stroke unloading position is located at the short stroke end point of the cleaning coupling position towards the feeding avoidance position and coincides with or is within the range of the feeding avoidance position. When the cleaning mechanism 3 remains stationary in the short-stroke unloading position, the tail blade segment is still within the spiral engagement channel to provide a reaction force reference for the spiral blade 22 to rotate forward.

[0045] The blade segment on the side of the spiral blade 22 away from the rotary drive motor 24 serves as the tail blade segment. When the spiral feeding mechanism 2 reverses to the maximum exit position, the tail blade segment is still located in the spiral engagement channel and captured by the axial limiting surface. The axial slide bar 25 retains a short-stroke unloading stroke in the guide groove 41. The effective engagement length of the spiral blade 22 in the spiral engagement channel corresponds to the forward rotation screw-in stroke. When the sealing seat 23 is reinserted into the drive end opening of the feeding cylinder 1, the blade termination segment on the side near the rotary drive motor 24 disengages from the spiral engagement channel, thus preventing the spiral feeding mechanism 2 from continuing to be axially driven by the spiral engagement channel after reaching the feeding station.

[0046] In this embodiment, an existing programmable controller is used to sequentially control the rotary drive motor 24, the cleaning drive motor 343, and the actuator of the axial locking structure. The encoder of the rotary drive motor 24 is used to confirm the coupling phase and the number of reverse rotations of the spiral blade 22. The proximity switch set along the stroke of the cleaning mechanism 3 is used to confirm the feeding avoidance position, the cleaning coupling position, and the short-distance unloading position. The limit switch set along the axial slide bar 25 or the guide slide 41 is used to confirm the maximum exit position. The axial locking structure is equipped with a locking position switch and an unlocking position switch. The controller allows the next action to be executed only when the corresponding position and locking state are satisfied. The above controller, encoder, and switches all use existing industrial control components and do not change the motion and force relationship between the mechanical structures.

[0047] In summary, the present invention forms a spiral engagement channel by using a fixedly connected first cleaning block 31 and second cleaning block 32 to allow the spiral blade 22 to rotate through and axially capture the tail blade segment. The same cleaning mechanism 3 is used to sequentially establish a reverse cleaning reaction force reference, a short-distance traction connection, and a forward rotation reset reaction force reference. Under the joint guidance of the guide shaft 211, the axial slide bar 25, and the guide groove 41, the spiral feeding mechanism 2 completes the withdrawal and reset along a defined axis, and the stripped residue is first left at the blocking end face and then transported to the discharge pipe 12 by the forward rotating spiral blade 22.

[0048] When using this equipment: When the equipment is in normal feeding state, the cleaning mechanism 3 is kept in the feeding avoidance position, the two blades adapting arc surface 311 are separated from the normal rotation of the spiral blade 22 and the material conveying path, the sealing seat 23 is inserted into the drive end opening of the feeding cylinder 1, the actuator cylinder of the axial locking structure drives the split quick-release clamp to close and clamp the cylinder end flange and the seat flange, the rotary drive motor 24 drives the spiral bushing 21 and the spiral blade 22 to rotate in the forward direction, and the food ingredients enter the feeding cylinder 1 through the feed pipe 11 and are conveyed to the discharge pipe 12.

[0049] When the equipment switches from normal feeding state to cleaning state, it stops feeding material into the feed pipe 11, the rotary drive motor 24 decelerates and stops, and the controller makes the spiral blade 22 stop at the preset phase corresponding to the blade inlet according to the encoder signal of the rotary drive motor 24. Then, the controller controls the actuator of the axial locking structure to drive the split quick-release clamp to separate, so that the sealing seat 23 releases the axial lock between the drive end of the feed cylinder 1 and obtains the freedom to move along the axial direction of the feed cylinder 1.

[0050] After the sealing seat 23 is released from axial locking, the cleaning drive motor 343 drives the cleaning drive screw 342 to rotate. The screw sleeve 341 drives the first cleaning block 31 and the second cleaning block 32 to move from the feeding avoidance position toward the spiral blade 22 through the arc-shaped connecting frame 34 and the stop connecting plate 33. The end of the spiral blade 22 enters the spiral engagement channel between the two blade matching arc surfaces 311 through the first guide slope and the second guide slope. After the cleaning mechanism 3 reaches the cleaning coupling position, the cleaning drive motor 343 stops. The self-locking screw pair keeps the cleaning mechanism 3 from axially retracting, so that the cleaning mechanism 3 forms a fixed reaction force reference for spiral reversal.

[0051] After the cleaning mechanism 3 is held in the cleaning coupling position, the rotary drive motor 24 drives the spiral bushing 21 and the spiral blade 22 to rotate in opposite directions at low speed. The spiral blade 22 rotates relative to the fixed spiral mating channel and generates an axial component force, causing the spiral feeding mechanism 2 to gradually exit the feeding cylinder 1 along the guide shaft 211 and the guide slide 41. During this process, the two blades' adapting arc surfaces 311 scrape off the attached residual material on both sides of the spiral blade 22, and the bushing scraping hole simultaneously scrapes off the attached residual material on the outer periphery of the spiral bushing 21. The peeled residual material is blocked by the material blocking end face and left inside the driving end of the feeding cylinder 1, while the sealing seat 23, the rotary drive motor 24 and the axial slide rod 25 move outward synchronously with the spiral bushing 21.

[0052] When the encoder's cumulative reverse rotation count or the travel switch at the maximum exit position reaches the preset condition, the screw feeding mechanism 2 reaches the maximum exit position and is stopped by the rotary drive motor 24. At this time, the tail blade segment of the screw blade 22 is still located in the screw engagement channel and captured by the axial limiting surface. The screw sleeve 21 and the guide shaft 211 still maintain axial overlap. The axial slide bar 25 still has the remaining stroke required for short-distance material removal in the guide slide groove 41, so that the screw feeding mechanism 2, which has stopped rotating, can continue to move axially under the traction of the cleaning mechanism 3.

[0053] After the screw feeding mechanism 2 stops at the maximum exit position, the cleaning drive motor 343 drives the cleaning drive screw 342 in the reverse direction, causing the screw sleeve 341 to drive the cleaning mechanism 3 to move from the cleaning coupling position to the feeding avoidance position. The axial limiting surface of the screw engagement channel acts on the tail blade segment that has stopped rotating and pulls the screw feeding mechanism 2 to move outward synchronously. The material blocking end face continues to restrict the movement of the residual material with the screw feeding mechanism 2, so that an axial separation gap is formed between the screw blade 22 and the residual material. After the cleaning mechanism 3 reaches the short-distance unloading position, the cleaning drive motor 343 stops. The self-locking screw pair maintains the axial position of the cleaning mechanism 3 and the screw feeding mechanism 2 and establishes the reaction force reference for forward rotation reset.

[0054] After the short-distance unloading is completed, the rotary drive motor 24 drives the spiral bushing 21 and the spiral blades 22 to rotate in the forward direction. The cleaning mechanism 3 remains in the short-distance unloading position and serves as a fixed reaction force reference. The tail blade segment first spirals into the feeding cylinder 1 along the spiral engagement channel. The remaining blade segments of the spiral blade 22 then continuously pass through the spiral engagement channel, causing the spiral feeding mechanism 2 to gradually reset along the guide shaft 211 and the guide groove 41. During the spiral insertion process, the spiral blades 22 receive the residual material inside the feeding cylinder 1 and transport it to the discharge pipe 12. When the sealing seat 23 is reinserted into the drive end opening of the feeding cylinder 1 and the blade termination segment is disengaged from the spiral engagement channel, the rotary drive motor 24 stops. The actuator of the axial locking structure drives the split quick-release clamp to close again. After locking in place, the cleaning mechanism 3 remains in the feeding avoidance position, the equipment resumes normal feeding conditions and enters the next feeding cycle.

[0055] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automated feeding device for food ingredient production and processing, comprising a feeding cylinder (1) and a spiral feeding mechanism (2) arranged axially along the feeding cylinder (1), the spiral feeding mechanism (2) comprising a spiral bushing (21), spiral blades (22) fixed to the outer periphery of the spiral bushing (21), and a rotary drive motor (24) connected to the spiral bushing (21) for transmission, characterized in that: The feed cylinder (1) is provided with a cleaning mechanism (3) and an axial drive structure on the drive side. The cleaning mechanism (3) slides axially with the feed cylinder (1) and is circumferentially limited, and is connected to the axial drive structure in a transmission manner. The cleaning mechanism (3) includes a first cleaning block (31) and a second cleaning block (32) fixedly connected. Both the first cleaning block (31) and the second cleaning block (32) have blade-adapting arc surfaces (311). The two blade-adapting arc surfaces (311) extend along the spiral direction of the spiral blade (22) and are placed on both sides of the thickness direction of the spiral blade (22). A spiral mating channel is formed between the two blade-adapting arc surfaces (311) for the spiral blade (22) to rotate through and axially capture its tail blade segment. The first cleaning block (31) and the second cleaning block (32) together form a material-blocking end face on the side facing the inside of the feeding cylinder (1). The cleaning mechanism (3) moves axially between the feeding avoidance position away from the spiral blade (22) and the cleaning coupling position that engages with the end of the spiral blade (22). The spiral blade (22) and the spiral engagement channel form a spiral transmission pair. When the cleaning mechanism (3) is held in the cleaning coupling position, the spiral blade (22) reverses and drives the spiral feeding mechanism (2) to axially withdraw. When the spiral blade (22) reaches the maximum withdrawal position, its tail blade segment is still located in the spiral engagement channel. The cleaning mechanism (3) then moves towards the feeding avoidance position to the short-distance unloading position and drives the spiral feeding mechanism (2) to continue moving axially through the tail blade segment. When the cleaning mechanism (3) is held in the short-distance unloading position, the spiral blade (22) rotates clockwise and spirals into the feeding cylinder (1) along the spiral engagement channel.

2. The automated feeding device for food ingredient production and processing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The screw feeding mechanism (2) further includes a guide shaft (211), which passes through the screw sleeve (21) along the axial direction of the feeding cylinder (1). The screw sleeve (21) and the guide shaft (211) form an axial sliding fit. The screw sleeve (21) and the guide shaft (211) remain axially aligned when the screw feeding mechanism (2) reaches the maximum exit position and the short-distance unloading position.

3. The automated feeding device for food ingredient production and processing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The direction of rotation and pitch of the two blade fitting arc surfaces (311) are matched with the direction of rotation and pitch of the helical blade (22). The distance between the two blade fitting arc surfaces (311) is greater than the thickness of the helical blade (22) so as to form a sliding working gap between the helical mating channel and the helical blade (22). The helical mating channel extends circumferentially along the helical blade (22) and has an axial limiting surface.

4. An automated feeding device for food ingredient production and processing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner circumferences of the first cleaning block (31) and the second cleaning block (32) together form a sleeve scraping hole that cooperates with the spiral sleeve (21). A rotational working gap is provided between the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve scraping hole and the outer circumferential surface of the spiral sleeve (21). An axial movement working gap is provided between the outer circumferential contours of the first cleaning block (31) and the second cleaning block (32) and the inner wall of the feeding cylinder (1). The blocking end face extends along the cross-section of the feeding cylinder (1) and is located on the path on which the stripped residue moves toward the driving end of the feeding cylinder (1).

5. An automated feeding device for food ingredient production and processing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drive side end of the feeding cylinder (1) is provided with a slot extending along its axial direction. The cleaning mechanism (3) also includes a stop block connecting plate (33) and a slot sealing plate (331). The stop block connecting plate (33) is fixedly connected to the first cleaning stop block (31) and the second cleaning stop block (32) and passes through the slot. The two side walls of the slot form an axial sliding and circumferential limiting fit with the stop block connecting plate (33). The slot sealing plate (331) is fixedly set on the stop block connecting plate (33) and covers the gap between the stop block connecting plate (33) and the periphery of the slot. The axial covering length of the slot sealing plate (331) is greater than the stroke of the cleaning mechanism (3) from the cleaning coupling position to the short-distance unloading position.

6. An automated feeding device for food ingredient production and processing according to claim 5, characterized in that: The cleaning mechanism (3) further includes an arc-shaped connecting frame (34). The axial drive structure includes a screw sleeve (341), a cleaning drive screw (342), and a cleaning drive motor (343). The arc-shaped connecting frame (34) is fixedly connected to the stop block connecting plate (33), the first cleaning stop block (31), and the second cleaning stop block (32). The screw sleeve (341) is fixedly mounted on the arc-shaped connecting frame (34). The cleaning drive screw (342) extends axially along the feeding cylinder (1) and is threadedly engaged with the screw sleeve (341). The cleaning drive motor (343) is fixedly mounted on the outside of the feeding cylinder (1) and is connected to the cleaning drive screw (342) in a transmission manner. The cleaning drive screw (342) and the screw sleeve (341) form a self-locking screw pair.

7. An automated feeding device for food ingredient production and processing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spiral feeding mechanism (2) further includes a sealing seat (23) and an axial slide bar (25). The sealing seat (23) is inserted into the drive end of the feeding cylinder (1). The rotary drive motor (24) is fixedly installed on the outside of the sealing seat (23), and the axial slide bar (25) is fixedly installed below the sealing seat (23). The automated feeding device further includes a feeding frame (4) that fixes and supports the feeding cylinder (1). The feeding frame (4) is provided with a feeder along the feeding cylinder (1). The axially extending guide groove (41) has an axial slide rod (25) that passes through the guide groove (41) and has a guide plane that cooperates with the guide groove (41). The effective length of the guide groove (41) includes the reverse exit stroke and the short-stroke unloading stroke of the screw feeding mechanism (2). When the screw feeding mechanism (2) reaches the maximum exit position, the axial slide rod (25) retains a remaining sliding amount in the guide groove (41) that is not less than the short-stroke unloading stroke.

8. An automated feeding device for food ingredient production and processing according to claim 7, characterized in that: The sealing seat (23) is inserted into the drive end opening of the feeding cylinder (1). The drive end of the feeding cylinder (1) is provided with an axial locking structure that cooperates with the sealing seat (23). The axial locking structure has a locking state that restricts the axial movement of the sealing seat (23) when the sealing seat (23) is inserted into the drive end opening, and an unlocking state that releases the axial constraint of the sealing seat (23).

9. An automated feeding device for food ingredient production and processing according to claim 7, characterized in that: The tail end segment of the spiral blade (22) on the side away from the rotary drive motor (24) is still in the spiral engagement channel at the maximum exit position. The guide groove (41) at the end away from the feeding cylinder (1) forms a short-stroke unloading safety limit end. The effective engagement length of the spiral blade (22) in the spiral engagement channel corresponds to the forward rotation stroke of the spiral feeding mechanism (2). When the sealing seat (23) is inserted into the drive end opening of the feeding cylinder (1), the blade termination segment of the spiral blade (22) on the side close to the rotary drive motor (24) disengages from the spiral engagement channel.

10. An automated feeding device for food ingredient production and processing according to claim 3, characterized in that: The two blade fitting arc surfaces (311) facing the end of the spiral blade (22) respectively form a first guide slope and a second guide slope. The first guide slope and the second guide slope extend along the spiral direction of the spiral blade (22) and together form a blade inlet that communicates with the spiral mating channel.

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