Auger Bearing Segmentation for Clean-in-Place Sanitization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spray nozzles used for cleaning augers in cheese processing lines are inadequate for thoroughly sanitizing narrow regions, particularly around bearings, requiring manual disassembly and are not suitable for clean-in-place (CIP) systems.
Innovation Solution
An auger assembly with colinear shafts and bearings featuring slotted grooves allows CIP fluid to reach and clean the bearings, enabling automated cleaning without disassembly, using a slip fit connection and a CIP system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional spray nozzles are used to clean augers, then cleaning is performed, but the narrow regions around bearings are not thoroughly sanitized and manual disassembly is required
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is segmented with multiple slotted grooves cut into its surface, creating multiple channels that allow cleaning fluid to penetrate deep into narrow regions and contact all bearing surfaces, thereby achieving thorough sanitization without manual disassembly
Solution Approach 2:
The slotted grooves introduce a new dimensional pathway (radial slots) into the bearing structure, allowing cleaning fluid to access previously unreachable narrow regions around the bearing, transforming the cleaning approach from external spraying to internal fluid penetration
2Reliability
If manual disassembly is performed for cleaning, then thorough cleaning is achieved, but productivity is reduced and manual effort is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing structure itself provides the cleaning pathways through its slotted grooves, allowing the cleaning system to service the bearing in-place without requiring disassembly, thereby maintaining cleaning effectiveness while dramatically improving productivity
3Extent of automation
If conventional spray nozzles are used, then general cleaning is performed, but automated clean-in-place systems cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is divided into multiple segments by slotted grooves, creating channels that allow automated CIP systems to deliver cleaning fluid directly to all bearing surfaces, enabling full automation while maintaining or improving sanitization quality
Solution Approach 2:
The slotted grooves are designed to work with hydraulic/CIP fluid delivery systems, allowing pressurized cleaning fluid to flow through the slots and thoroughly sanitize the bearing, thereby enabling automated clean-in-place operation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
An auger assembly (1) for receiving and conveying cheese curd downstream along a cheese processing line (32) includes an auger housing (2), a first auger (3) having a first shaft (5) extending through the auger housing (2), a second auger (4) having a second shaft (6) extending through the auger housing (2) and arranged colinearly with the first shaft (5), a first bearing (9) mounted to the auger housing (2) and arranged at the end (7) of the first shaft (5), and a second bearing (10) mounted to the auger housing (2) and arranged at the end (8) of the second shaft (6). The first bearing (9) and second bearing (10) are colinear and facing each other. At least one slotted groove (11, 12) is formed the bearings (9, 10) to enable a cleaning fluid to contact a surface (13, 14) of the respective bearing (9, 10).