Meat Emulsion Pump Gear Lock and Conveyor Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current meat processing assemblies face difficulties in easily installing and removing gears, suffer from seal wear leading to inadequate heat reduction, and require separate linker heads and alignment challenges due to uneven floors.
Innovation Solution
The meat processing assembly features a gear lock system for easy gear installation and removal, a horn adjustment assembly for length adjustments, and an adjustable conveyor with a non-contact bearing isolator for reduced heat production and improved alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional gear retention methods are used in meat pumps, then the pump structure is simple, but gear installation and removal becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The pump housing is segmented into removable sections that allow direct access to the gear assembly. The housing can be divided into multiple parts that can be separated to expose the gear, enabling easy installation and removal without complex disassembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear assembly is extracted as a separate, accessible component from the pump housing. By designing the housing with removable sections or access panels, the gear can be easily removed and installed without affecting other major components of the pump system.
2Reliability
If seals are used in the twister to prevent leakage, then sealing is achieved, but seal wear occurs leading to inadequate heat reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is extracted or removed from the traditional contact-based sealing mechanism. Instead of relying on seals that wear over time, the design uses a non-contact sealing method such as magnetic sealing or a gapless construction that eliminates seal wear and maintains consistent heat reduction performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical seal system is replaced with an alternative sealing mechanism that does not rely on contact seals. This could involve magnetic fields, vacuum sealing, or a design where the sealing surface is eliminated entirely, preventing wear and maintaining thermal performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate linker heads are used for different products, then product specificity is achieved, but device complexity and setup time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The linker head is designed as a universal, multi-functional component that can accommodate different product types through adjustable mechanisms. Instead of requiring separate dedicated linker heads for each product, a single adjustable linker head can be reconfigured to handle various link sizes and product configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The linker head incorporates dynamic, adjustable elements that allow it to adapt to different product requirements. This could include movable components, adjustable positioning mechanisms, or reconfigurable link arrangements that can be quickly changed to match different product specifications without replacing the entire linker head.
4Ease of operation
If fixed conveyor alignment is used, then manufacturing is simple, but alignment becomes difficult when the floor is uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor alignment system incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow it to compensate for uneven floors. The conveyor can be equipped with adjustable legs, movable support points, or self-aligning mechanisms that enable easy alignment regardless of the underlying floor conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor design includes adjustable parameters such as height, angle, or position that can be modified to accommodate uneven flooring. By allowing these parameters to be changed during installation or operation, the conveyor can be aligned properly without requiring a perfectly flat floor surface.
Data Source
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AI summary
An improved processing assembly having a meat emulsion pump connected to a stuffing horn. The stuffing horn positioned to fill casings with meat emulsion which form a strand of processed meat that is received by a twister, then a linker, and subsequently deposited on a conveyor.