Industrial Knife Connecting Element for Hygienic Blade Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial knives face challenges in maintaining high hygiene standards while ensuring economic efficiency, particularly in the food processing industry, due to complex and unreliable connection methods that allow dirt accumulation and require complete disassembly for cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A connecting agent with complementary recesses and channels on the base body and cutting section, utilizing a screw or bolt connection and a hardening filling compound to minimize the gap between these components, ensuring a secure and easy exchange of cutting blades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a replaceable cutting blade system is used, then economic efficiency is improved by reusing the base body, but hygiene standards deteriorate due to gap accumulation that collects dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using the hardening filling compound to transform the harmful gap space into a beneficial sealed structure. The filling material converts the potential dirt-collecting void into a protective element that prevents contamination while maintaining the replaceable blade system's economic benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The hardening filling compound acts as an intermediary substance between the base body and cutting blade. It fills the inevitable gaps created by the replaceable connection system, creating a sealed interface that prevents dirt accumulation while allowing the cutting blade to be replaced. This mediator resolves the conflict between reusability and hygiene.
2Reliability
If complex connection methods with multiple components are used, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases making cleaning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple connection functions into a single integrated solution. The connecting element with forming heads combines mechanical engagement (form-locking), force application (force-locking), and gap sealing (hygiene protection) into one unified component, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material approach by combining different materials with complementary properties: the connecting element material provides mechanical strength and form-locking, while the hardening filling compound provides sealing and gap closure. This composite solution achieves reliable connection without complex multi-component assemblies.
3Strength
If adhesive joining agents are used to secure the cutting blade, then connection strength is improved, but hygiene standards deteriorate due to adhesive contamination risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by making the connecting element a disposable or easily replaceable component rather than using permanent adhesive bonding. The connecting element can be quickly removed and replaced without complex cleaning procedures, maintaining hygiene standards while providing sufficient connection strength during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical bonding mechanism (adhesive) with a mechanical bonding system. The forming heads engage with recesses through form-locking and force-locking mechanisms, providing strong connections through mechanical interlocking rather than chemical adhesion, thereby eliminating adhesive-related hygiene concerns.
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 solution provides a secure, easy-to-clean, and cost-effective connection method that minimizes dirt accumulation and maintains hygiene standards by reducing the gap between the base body and cutting section, facilitating efficient reuse of the base body and reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
A clamping force can then be applied to the forming heads located in the respective recesses using a screw or bolt connection including the web
Implementation Method 2
the filler material shrinks. This creates a clamping force between the base body and the cutting edge
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an industrial knife comprising a base body and an interchangeable cutting element, wherein the cutting element can be coupled to a base body surface by force-fit and/or form-fit, and comprising at least one connecting element. According to the invention, the connecting element is designed as a shaped body having a web and two opposing shaped heads, wherein the base body and the cutting element each have a recess complementary to the respective shaped head, each of which transitions into a channel or a groove in the direction of a coupling surface.