Releasable Clamping Mechanism for Mixing Arm Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixing apparatuses for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products require frequent replacement and maintenance of mixing elements, which is time-consuming and difficult due to the use of screw and bolt elements, and do not meet safety standards for components in contact with products.
Innovation Solution
A mixing and scraping assembly with a releasable clamping mechanism that allows for secure connection and easy disconnection of mixing elements to the mixing arms without tools, reducing the need for screw and bolt elements and facilitating easy maintenance and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screw and bolt elements are used to attach mixing elements to mixing arms, then a secure connection is achieved, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes time-consuming and requires tools
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into separate modular components: a mounting plate with receiving openings, clamp elements that can be independently positioned, and positioning elements. This segmentation allows for quick assembly and disassembly without tools, as each component can be independently manipulated and secured
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp elements are designed to be movable between a clamped position (securing the mixing element) and a released position (allowing easy removal). This dynamic capability enables the transition from a secure locked state to an easily accessible state without requiring tools, resolving the contradiction between connection security and maintenance speed
2Reliability
If screw and bolt elements are used to attach mixing elements, then a secure connection is achieved, but the cleaning and maintenance procedures become difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing element attachment system is segmented into removable components including the mounting plate, clamp elements, and positioning elements. This segmentation allows the mixing element to be easily detached from the mixing arm for cleaning purposes, eliminating the need to disassemble screw and bolt connections during maintenance procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp elements are designed to be manually operable without tools, enabling operators to quickly secure or release mixing elements during cleaning and maintenance. The self-contained design of the clamp mechanism allows for easy operation during maintenance procedures
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a reduced number of screw and bolt elements is used, then compliance with safety standards is improved, but the challenge of ensuring secure attachment increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple screw and bolt elements distributed across the attachment interface, the invention concentrates the securing function at specific localized points through clamp elements and positioning elements. The clamp elements engage with the positioning elements at precise locations to provide secure attachment without requiring multiple fasteners
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp elements provide a dynamic locking mechanism that actively secures the mixing element through friction and mechanical engagement. When the clamp element is positioned in the clamped state, it creates a secure connection equivalent to or exceeding traditional screw and bolt attachments, but with fewer components and better safety compliance
Data Source
AI summary
A mixing and/or scraping assembly mixes apparatus for food, pharmaceutical or cosmetic products, includes a mixing arm assembly and at least one mixing and/or scraping element that is removably connectable to each other. The mixing and/or scraping element is removably couplable with at least a first mixing arm and a second mixing arm by way of first and second anchors. In particular, at least one of the anchors is provided with a releasable clamping mechanism including a hook configured to receive at least a part of the respective mixing arm, and a clamping element movable between a closed position in which it prevents insertion and extraction of the mixing arm into/from the hook, and an open position in which it is suitable for allowing insertion and extraction of the mixing arm into/from the hook.