Weighing Hopper Driver Unit Sealing for Washdown Hygiene
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combination weighing apparatuses for foodstuffs face challenges in achieving effective waterproofing and preventing bacteria propagation, particularly in components such as the dispersion feeder's top cone, linear feeder troughs, and driver units, which are not adequately protected during cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof structure is implemented using metallic unit cases with elastic sealing packing members, covered by rust-proof cover cases, and flanges to seal gaps, with annular voids for water drainage, ensuring secure coupling and integration with the base substrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metallic unit cases are used for driver units, then structural strength and durability are improved, but gaps and voids between cases can occur allowing water penetration and bacteria propagation
Solution Approach 1:
A packing member made of elastic sealing material is introduced as an intermediary element between the metallic unit case and cover case. This packing member fills and seals the gaps and voids that naturally occur between metallic components, preventing water and bacteria from penetrating into the driver unit while maintaining the structural strength provided by the metallic cases.
2Reliability
If frequent cleaning is performed for hygiene purposes, then food safety is improved, but water may penetrate into electrical components causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic sealing material acts as a protective intermediary that allows frequent cleaning operations to be performed for hygiene purposes while blocking water from penetrating into the electrical components housed within the driver unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The packing member made of elastic sealing material functions as a flexible sealing barrier that conforms to the interfaces between metallic cases, providing effective waterproof protection during cleaning operations while maintaining the structural integrity of the driver unit.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple metallic components are assembled to form driver units, then ease of assembly and maintenance is improved, but gaps between components create pathways for water and bacteria
Solution Approach 1:
The packing member serves as a sealing intermediary that eliminates gaps between assembled metallic components without complicating the assembly process. It provides a simple yet effective solution to prevent bacteria propagation pathways that would otherwise exist at the interfaces between multiple metallic parts.
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 structure effectively prevents water penetration and bacteria propagation, enhancing the apparatus' waterproofness and hygiene by sealing gaps and guiding water away from critical components.
Implementation Method 1
a packing member made of an elastic sealing material, the cover case being disposed to cover the unit case, the packing member being held between the unit case and the cover case
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The combination weighing apparatus disclosed herein includes a center base substrate having openings, hoppers, and a plurality of driver units. The driver units each have a cabinet and are each mountable with a respective one of the hoppers. The cabinets of the driver units are attachable to the openings of the center base substrate. The driver units are allowed to open and close the gates of the hoppers. Thee cabinets of the driver units each have a unit case, a cover case, and a packing member. The unit cases each have an opening and include a metallic material. The cover cases each include a metallic material and cover the unit case. The packing members each include an elastic sealing material and held between the unit case and the cover case so as to cover an outer circumferential surface of the unit case.