Adjustable Food Pump Clearance for Wear and Cleaning Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pumps used in food processing, particularly for ice cream production, experience wear and tear leading to increased maintenance costs, production downtime, and inefficiencies due to imperfect adjustments during cleaning and replacement processes.
Innovation Solution
A pump design featuring an adjustable base unit with a star wheel and impeller configuration, allowing for precise setting of a predefined distance between these components to minimize wear and enhance operational efficiency, using an adjustment device to control the position of the base unit relative to the impeller and star wheel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the distance between the impeller and the star wheel is reduced to increase pumping efficiency, then the pumping efficiency is improved, but the wear between the parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base unit is made movable in the longitudinal direction, allowing the distance between the impeller and star wheel to be dynamically adjusted. This enables the system to optimize the balance between pumping efficiency (requiring smaller distance) and wear reduction (benefiting from larger distance) based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the critical parameter of the longitudinal distance between the impeller and star wheel/base unit by providing an adjustment device that can set this distance to a predefined adjusted distance. This parameter change allows optimization of both pumping efficiency and wear characteristics.
2Productivity
If the pump parts are made to be in contact with each other to maximize pumping efficiency, then the pumping efficiency is improved, but the operational lifetime is reduced due to increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The base unit is made movable in the longitudinal direction, allowing the distance between the impeller and star wheel to be dynamically adjusted. This enables the system to optimize the balance between pumping efficiency (requiring smaller distance) and wear reduction (benefiting from larger distance) based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the critical parameter of the longitudinal distance between the impeller and star wheel/base unit by providing an adjustment device that can set this distance to a predefined adjusted distance. This parameter change allows optimization of both pumping efficiency and wear characteristics.
3Reliability
If the pump is cleaned and adjusted manually to maintain performance, then the pump performance is maintained, but the production downtime and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment device enables operators to easily and quickly adjust the base unit position without requiring complex tools or extensive technical knowledge. This self-service capability reduces the time and resources needed for maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment device allows for quick setup and adjustment of the optimal distance between components, enabling rapid maintenance operations without extensive preparation time.
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
The design reduces wear, extends the pump's operational lifetime, and minimizes production downtime by allowing for user-friendly and precise adjustments, thereby improving overall pump performance and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
an impeller arranged to rotate inside the housing around a first axis of the pump, a star wheel arranged to be driven by the impeller to rotate around a second axis of the pump that is offset from the first axis
Data Source
AI summary
A pump for pumping a liquid food product, the pump comprising a housing, an impeller arranged to rotate inside the housing, a star wheel arranged to be driven by the impeller, and a base unit to which the star wheel is connected, the base unit being movable in a longitudinal direction, from a closed position, to an open position. An adjustment device is configured to adjustably set a position of the base unit in the longitudinal direction to thereby, when the base unit is in the closed position, provide in the longitudinal direction a predetermined adjusted distance between the impeller and the star wheel and/or between the impeller and the base unit.