Extruded Ice Die Mounting for Stable, Leak-Free Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice making machines face issues with the instability of the extrusion die due to axial and tangential forces, leading to potential damage and difficulty in maintenance, as well as leakage and differential thermal deformations caused by radial fastening through the evaporator's main drum.
Innovation Solution
The extrusion die is securely fastened using a flange with a series of holes and a ring, employing radial projections that engage with corresponding seats and a shoulder, eliminating the need for screws through the main barrel, and allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without compromising the evaporator's integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the extrusion die is fastened using radial dowels or screws penetrating through the main barrel, then the die is securely held in position, but the structure of the main drum is weakened and leakage points are created
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening elements (dowels or screws) are extracted from the main drum structure and relocated to the flange. This removes the harmful penetration through the main barrel while preserving the die fastening function. The flange acts as a separate fastening platform that does not compromise the main drum's integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange serves as an intermediary element between the main drum and the extrusion die. Instead of fastening directly through the main drum, the flange mediates the connection, providing a dedicated fastening surface that preserves the main drum's structural integrity while securely holding the die in place.
2Stability of the object's composition
If screws are used to fasten the die, then the die is held firmly, but differential thermal deformations occur between screws and main drum
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal expansion issue is addressed locally at the flange-die interface rather than involving the main drum. The flange and die are both subjected to similar thermal conditions, creating uniform thermal deformation that maintains fastening integrity. This localizes the thermal effect to a region where it does not cause differential stress.
3Stability of the object's composition
If radial fastening through the main drum is used, then the die is secured, but maintenance operations become difficult due to inaccessible interior of evaporator
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is segmented into two independent parts: the flange (attached to main drum) and the die (attached to flange). This segmentation allows the die to be removed by detaching it from the flange without needing to access the interior of the evaporator through the main drum, significantly easing maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange acts as an intermediary that provides external access to the die fastening mechanism. Maintenance personnel can remove the die by working externally on the flange-die interface, eliminating the need to penetrate or access the main drum interior, thus greatly improving maintenance accessibility.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the die is firmly fastened to resist axial and tangential thrusts, then the die remains stable, but the fastening system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fastening functions are merged into a single integrated flange structure. The flange simultaneously provides: (1) attachment to the main drum, (2) resistance to axial thrusts through its geometry and fastening holes, (3) resistance to tangential thrusts through its rigid structure, and (4) a platform for die mounting. This consolidation simplifies the overall system compared to multiple separate fastening mechanisms.
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 solution stabilizes the extrusion die, prevents damage from thermal deformations, simplifies maintenance, and allows for quick replacement of dies to produce various ice shapes and sizes, enhancing operational efficiency and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
the water is lifted therein by a rotating auger within a main drum, that is cooled on the outside by the refrigerant; as the water is lifted in the main barrel, it gets cold and it tends to form the ice on the inner wall
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a machine for making extruded ice, obtained by passing a mass of ice in granules through an extrusion die (20) arranged at the end of a main cooled drum (4). The latter at one end has a flange (10) upon which a ring (14) clamping the die is fastened: thus screws for fastening the die to the main drum are not required, so that operations for the machine maintenance and for replacing the die are considerably facilitated.