Hygienic Motor Adapter Parallel Cable Orientation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hygienic motors in food processing environments face challenges due to non-compatibility with European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group (EHEDG) standards and design inefficiencies, such as increased vertical profile and difficulty in maintenance and cleaning, caused by vertically oriented connectors and stiff cables.
Innovation Solution
A hygienic adapter with a cylindrical body, featuring a threaded lower section for non-rotatable fastening and a flat abutment surface with a port hole for parallel cable orientation, reduces the vertical profile and includes an air vent for pressure equalization, maintaining hygiene standards while being easy to install and maintain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If vertically oriented male connectors are used on the motor housing, then electrical connection is achieved, but the vertical profile of the device increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The connector orientation is changed from vertical (perpendicular to housing surface) to horizontal (parallel to housing surface). This dimensional change in connector arrangement reduces the vertical profile requirement from over one foot to a compact configuration, while maintaining electrical connection functionality through the adapter assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
An adapter assembly serves as an intermediary component between the motor housing and the cable connector. This adapter provides a mounting surface for horizontal connectors and includes a cable access passage, mediating the connection between the motor and power source while maintaining compact vertical dimensions.
2Reliability
If thick cables with significant bend radius are used, then high pressure and temperature resistance is achieved, but the total height of the arrangement increases to over one foot
Solution Approach 1:
The cable routing is reconfigured from a vertical path to a horizontal path through the adapter's cable access passage. This allows thick, stiff cables with large bend radii to be routed horizontally parallel to the housing surface, reducing the vertical height requirement while accommodating the cable's physical constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter assembly acts as an intermediary that provides a dedicated cable access passage and mounting structure. This intermediary component enables the connection of thick, temperature-resistant cables without requiring excessive vertical space, as the cable can be routed horizontally through the adapter structure.
3Speed
If the motor vent is placed on the rear cover, then ventilation is achieved, but the rear cover is subject directly to high-pressure fluid during wash downs
Solution Approach 1:
The vent function is extracted from the rear cover and relocated to the adapter assembly mounted on the motor housing. The adapter includes a vent port that provides ventilation while being positioned away from the high-pressure wash down zone, separating the ventilation function from the exposed rear cover location.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter assembly serves as an intermediary structure that provides ventilation functionality through its vent port while protecting the motor housing rear cover from direct high-pressure fluid exposure. The adapter's position and design allow it to handle ventilation needs without compromising the hygienic sealing of the motor housing.
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 adapter reduces the vertical clearance of the coupling assembly from approximately one foot to 2-3 inches, complies with IP69K and EHEDG requirements, and enhances hygiene by eliminating the need for a rear vent cover, facilitating easier access and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a lower section having a threaded portion adapted to be inserted into an opening in the motor and non-rotatably fastened inside the motor
Implementation Method 2
The adapter includes an air vent for pressure equalization
Data Source
AI summary
A adapter for coupling a cable to a motor in a hygienic environment is provided. The hygienic adapter is non-rotatably coupled to and hygienically seals an opening of the motor housing, the hygienic adapter including a port adapted to receive the power supply cable connector such that the connector and cable are oriented parallel to the longitudinal surface of the housing and the connector is accessible to the electrical leads.