Dicing Machine Shear Plate Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing machines, such as the Affinity® dicer, face limitations in versatility, particularly in precisely positioning the shear plate relative to the cross-cutter and the lower shear edge relative to the knives, which affects the complete dicing of strips from the circular cutter, especially when handling materials with varying consistencies and textures like meat with connective tissue.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a camming feature between the shear plate and support bar allows for adjustable positioning of the lower shear edge relative to the cross-cutter knives, enabling fine adjustments to ensure complete dicing by altering the clearance between the shear edge and the knives, thereby enhancing the machine's ability to process a variety of solid and semisolid materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the shear plate is fixed in position relative to the cross-cutter, then the machine structure is simple, but the machine cannot precisely position the lower shear edge relative to the knives for complete dicing of materials with varying consistencies
Solution Approach 1:
The shear plate is made adjustable relative to the cross-cutter through a positioning mechanism that allows the shear plate to be moved to different positions and locked in place. This dynamic adjustment capability enables precise positioning of the lower shear edge relative to the knives for complete dicing of materials with varying consistencies and textures, while maintaining a relatively simple machine structure through modular design elements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the clearance between the shear edge and knives is fixed, then the machine is easy to operate, but the machine cannot ensure complete dicing of strips from the circular cutter for all material types
Solution Approach 1:
The clearance between the shear edge and knives is made adjustable through a camming mechanism that allows operators to modify the positioning of the shear plate relative to the cross-cutter knives. This dynamic adjustment enables the machine to adapt to materials with varying consistencies and textures, ensuring complete dicing of strips from the circular cutter while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive adjustment procedures.
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
This adjustment capability improves the precision and versatility of the dicing process, allowing for effective dicing of diverse food products, including those with connective tissue, by ensuring complete cutting and optimizing the production of diced products.
Implementation Method 1
at least one camming feature is provided between the shear plate and support bar
Data Source
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AI summary
Machines and methods capable of producing diced products from materials. Such a machine includes a knife (14) adapted to slice food product to produce slices, a circular cutter (20) comprising knives (31) that are adapted and arranged to cut the slices into strips, a cross-cutter (22) comprising knives (30) that are adapted and arranged to produce a cross-cut in the strips, and a shear plate (32) that is at least partially between the circular cutter (20) and the cross-cutter (22). The shear plate (32) defines a first shear edge (48) in proximity to the knives (30) of the cross-cutter (22) and is adapted to ensure dicing of the strips received by the cross-cutter (22) from the circular cutter (20). A support bar (34) supports the shear plate (32), and a feature (52) is provide for adjusting the proximity of the first shear edge (48) relative to the knives (30) of the cross-cutter (22).