Active Block Feeder for Consistent Food Block Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing machines require two different forces to cut strips from food blocks, necessitating a small force to guide the block forward and a large force to counteract the screw's force, leading to inconsistent pressure on the food block during processing.
Innovation Solution
An active block feeder with a hold-down device, driven by a motor, applies a constant or varying pressure force on the food block in addition to gravity, using a revolving chain or conveyor belt with adjustable hold-down devices to optimize feeding and reduce the variation in force required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If gravity alone is used to press the food block onto the shaft, then the machine structure is simple, but the force variation during processing is large and processing consistency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The active block feeder applies a preliminary pressing force on the food block before it reaches the shaft, ensuring consistent contact pressure is established in advance. This preliminary action maintains stable processing conditions throughout the cutting operation, eliminating the force variation that would occur with gravity-only feeding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an active, controllable pressing mechanism that can dynamically adjust the force applied to the food block. This dynamic system responds to processing conditions to maintain optimal contact pressure, transforming the static gravity-based system into an adaptive force application system that ensures processing consistency.
2Reliability
If an active block feeder is added to apply continuous pressure force, then processing consistency improves, but the machine structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The active block feeder is designed to perform multiple functions: it applies pressing force, guides the food block positioning, and maintains continuous contact pressure. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated mechanism, the patent reduces the overall structural complexity that would result from adding separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The active block feeder is designed to automatically adjust and maintain the pressing force without requiring external intervention or complex control systems. The mechanism self-regulates to provide consistent force application, reducing the need for additional sensors, actuators, or control circuitry that would increase system complexity.
3Device complexity
If the hold-down device waits to contact the food block after insertion, then the feeding mechanism is simple, but processing efficiency decreases due to waiting time
Solution Approach 1:
The active block feeder begins applying pressure force immediately upon food block insertion, rather than waiting for the hold-down device to contact the block. This preliminary action eliminates idle waiting time and ensures continuous processing, thereby improving productivity without requiring complex synchronization mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous pressing force application throughout the entire processing cycle, eliminating interruptions or waiting periods. The active block feeder maintains uninterrupted contact and force application, ensuring the useful action of processing continues without pause, thereby maximizing productivity.
4Productivity
If a revolving chain with multiple hold-down devices is used, then throughput increases, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The active block feeder is divided into modular segments or individual hold-down devices that can operate independently. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple food blocks simultaneously through the revolving chain, increasing throughput while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture that simplifies maintenance and replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The revolving chain design allows worn or damaged hold-down devices to be easily removed and replaced without affecting the entire system. Individual components can be discarded when worn and quickly recovered or replaced, minimizing downtime and maintenance complexity while maintaining high throughput capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for continuous processing of food blocks with minimized waiting time between batches, increased throughput, and reduced mechanical stress on the shaft, enhancing operational efficiency and ease of maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
exerts a pressure force on the food block in the direction of the driven shaft, in addition to the effect of gravity
Implementation Method 2
The magnitude of the pressure force can be constant or varying
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A machine (1) for processing food blocks (200) is provided, comprising a housing (10), a first motor (33), a shaft (30) driven by the first motor (33), and a receptacle (16) for a food block (200) to be processed, wherein the receptacle (150) is open towards the driven shaft (130) so that a part of the food block (200) received in the receptacle (16) is separated from the food block (200) by interaction with the driven shaft (30) and fed for further processing, wherein the machine (1) has an active block feeder (100) which, when processing a food block (200), exerts a pressing force (F1) on the food block (200) in addition to the effect of gravity in the direction of the driven shaft (30).