Dough Extrusion Tube Array for Hygienic Uniform Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dough extrusion machines face issues with non-uniform dough distribution, complex cleaning, and high maintenance costs due to integrated construction, which affects flexibility and hygiene standards.

Innovation Solution

A dough extrusion machine design featuring detachable tubes connecting inlet and outlet openings of multiple extrusion units, allowing for separate cleaning and maintenance, and enabling flexible operation with one or both units, ensuring uniform dough distribution and high weight accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the extrusion units are integrated with the combining means, then the construction is compact, but the cleaning and maintenance becomes very difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction compactnessVSAvoidcleaning and maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separable components: the first and second extrusion units can be detached from the combining means through the detachable tube array. This segmentation allows each component to be cleaned and maintained independently, solving the contradiction between compact integrated construction and ease of cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of repair

If the tube array is detachable, then the cleaning and maintenance is simplified, but the system flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning and maintenanceVSAvoidsystem flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The tube array is designed to be dynamically configurable - it can be detached for cleaning and reattached for operation. The system can operate with one or both extrusion units connected, providing operational flexibility. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction between ease of maintenance and system adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If multiple extrusion units are used, then the productivity is increased, but the dough distribution uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction capacityVSAvoiddough distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Each extrusion unit has separate inlet openings and outlet openings connected by individual tubes in the array. This segmentation allows independent control and uniform distribution of dough from each unit, preventing the non-uniform distribution problem that occurs in integrated systems while maintaining high productivity through parallel operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If the extrusion units operate separately, then the system flexibility is improved, but the combining efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidcombining efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The combining means is designed with universal inlet openings that can receive dough from one or both extrusion units. The tube array configuration allows the system to function in multiple modes: both units connected for high productivity, or one unit connected for simplified operation, maintaining combining efficiency while providing operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3512345B1Food dough extrusion machine
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 HAAS FOOD EQUIPMENT GMBH
  • EP3512345B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3512345B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3512345B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a dough extrusion machine (10) comprising a first extrusion unit (1) and a second extrusion unit (2) mounted to a platform (3), wherein the first extrusion unit (1) comprises combining means (12) for combining dough discharged from the first extrusion unit (1) and dough discharged from the second extrusion unit (2), characterized in that the first extrusion unit (1) has a plurality of inlet openings (7) upstream of combining means (12), and that the second extrusion unit (2) has a plurality of outlet openings (4), wherein the outlet openings (4) of the second extrusion unit (2) are coupled to the inlet openings (7) of the first extrusion unit (1) by an array (5) of tubes (6) detachably mounted to the first and second extrusion unit (1,2).