Extrusion Nozzle Assembly with Linear Guide Bearing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Devices for extruding free-flowing food masses with filling flow dividers and nozzles are complex and time-consuming to assemble and clean, with many screw connections and parts contributing to high costs and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A device with a movably mounted filling flow divider using a bearing device, such as a linear guide or modular nozzle block, simplifies assembly and cleaning by eliminating the need for multiple screw connections and allowing direct communication between outlets and inlets, reducing assembly and cleaning time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple screw connections and individual parts are used to connect filling flow divider and nozzle arrangement, then the device can be assembled and disassembled, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The filling flow divider and nozzle arrangement are merged into a single integrated unit that moves as one component. The bearing device supports both elements together, eliminating the need for separate screw connections between them. This integration directly reduces assembly complexity and time while maintaining the functional separation of the two components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filling flow divider is made movable relative to the nozzle arrangement through the bearing device, allowing dynamic positioning during assembly and operation. This movability enables simpler assembly procedures compared to fixed rigid connections, as the components can be easily positioned and adjusted without requiring multiple fastening operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If multiple screw connections are used in the device, then the structure is stable, but cleaning becomes expensive and difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning easeVSAvoidnumber of screw connections
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the filling flow divider and nozzle arrangement into a single movable unit supported by the bearing device, the number of separate screw connections is dramatically reduced. This integration maintains structural stability while eliminating numerous cleaning-accessible fastening points, making the device easier and less expensive to clean.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of time

If a bearing device is used to mount the filling flow divider movably, then assembly is simplified and time is reduced, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly timeVSAvoidbearing device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing device introduces controlled movability to the connection between the filling flow divider and nozzle arrangement. This dynamic mounting mechanism, while structurally more complex than rigid fixed connections, significantly simplifies the assembly process by eliminating multiple screw connections and reducing assembly time, as the components can be easily positioned and adjusted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2514328B1Device for extruding food masses
Publication Date: 2016.06.08 VEMAG MASCHINENBAU GMBH
  • EP2514328B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2514328B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2514328B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a nozzle arrangement and a device (1) for extruding free-flowing food masses, with at least one flow divider (4, 6) which has an inlet (36, 38) for introducing the free-flowing mass and several outlets (24, 26) for discharging several mass streams of the free-flowing mass, and a nozzle arrangement with several nozzles, each of which has an inlet (28, 30) connectable to an outlet of the flow divider (4, 6) and an outlet (40) for extruding the free-flowing mass. According to the invention, the bearing device (8, 10) has at least one linear guide, and the linear guide has one or more rails and/or tubes (12, 13, 16, 17) and one or more rollers (72a, 72b, 72c, 74a, 74b, 74c) guided on the rail and/or tube (12, 13, 16, 17).