Homogenizing Mixer with Variable Diameter Screws
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional mixers for dough production face challenges in achieving uniform moistening and kneading, particularly in separating the main mixer tank from the vacuum tank, leading to inefficiencies and difficulties in handling fresh dough and trimmings.
Innovation Solution
A homogenizing and kneading mixer with a premixer connected to kneading screws of varying diameters, which feed into a vacuum tank, simplifying the process by integrating the functions of premixing, kneading, and air removal, while allowing for efficient handling of fresh dough and trimmings through a unique mechanical coupling and speed adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mixers separate the main mixer tank from the vacuum tank, then air removal function is provided, but the device complexity increases and handling of fresh dough and trimmings becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the main mixer tank and vacuum tank into a single integrated containment structure (19a, 19b). The vacuum function is incorporated directly into the kneading chamber, eliminating the need for a separate vacuum tank. This integration maintains effective air removal during kneading while simplifying the overall device structure and improving ease of handling dough and trimmings.
Solution Approach 2:
The containment structure (19a, 19b) serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the mixing chamber and the vacuum chamber. The same structure that contains the kneading screws and processes the dough also provides the vacuum environment for air removal, eliminating the need for separate dedicated tanks for each function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional mixers use paddle shafts to move and overturn the product, then mixing uniformity is improved, but the manufacturing precision of dough homogeneity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional paddle shaft mechanical mixing system with a kneading screw system. The kneading screws (20, 21) use a screw conveyor mechanism to transport and knead the dough through rotation and compression, rather than using paddles to overturn and mix the product. This substitution provides more controlled and uniform dough homogeneity while maintaining effective mixing.
3Productivity
If traditional mixers use a gear pump to feed the mixture into the vacuum mixer, then the mixing process is completed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the gear pump by directly integrating the kneading screw discharge with the vacuum mixing chamber. The kneading screws (20, 21) directly feed the processed dough into the vacuum environment within the same containment structure (19a, 19b), removing the intermediate gear pump feeding mechanism and simplifying the device while maintaining complete mixing process functionality.
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 enables optimal dough treatment with reduced mixing and kneading times, improved air removal, and enhanced product quality by maintaining minimal oxidation and temperature, resulting in uniform and transparent pasta products.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum mixer, which has the double function of removing the air from the dough
Implementation Method 2
feeding and distributing it to one or more compression screws, where kneading is generated due to the compression. It is indeed the kneading which represents the fundamental step for the formation of the gluten.
Data Source
AI summary
A homogenising and kneading mixer comprising a premixer (12) placed upstream from a kneader and at least two kneading screws (20, 21) in turn connected with a vacuum tank (37) feeding final compression screws (44), in which the kneader has a containment cylinder (19a, 19b) and respective kneading screws (20, 21) realised in portions of different diameter, a first portion of smaller diameter (19a, 20a, 21a) arranged at a pasta scrap feeding conduit (25) and a second portion of greater diameter (19b, 20b, 21b) arranged at the premixer (12).