Meat Grinder Plate and Knife Assembly for Fiber Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional meat grinders face limitations in controlling fiber length and pressure, leading to inefficient grinding processes that result in a stringy texture and poor product quality due to high pressure, turbulence, and protein binding, which affects the final cook shape and texture of meat products.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a grinder plate with machined orifices that create fiber orientation and stretching, combined with an external knife assembly for adjustable speed control, allowing for precise fiber alignment and shearing to desired lengths, utilizing venturi principles with spherical and cylindrical intersections to minimize pressure loss and maximize fiber alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional high pressure grinding is used, then grinding efficiency is improved, but fiber alignment deteriorates and stringy texture is produced
Solution Approach 1:
The grinding process is segmented into two distinct stages: a low-pressure alignment stage where fibers are gently oriented through specially designed orifices, and a high-pressure grinding stage where actual size reduction occurs. This segmentation allows each stage to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between grinding efficiency and fiber alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
Fiber alignment is performed as a preliminary action before the main grinding operation. The low-pressure alignment stage prepares the meat fibers by orienting them in the desired direction, and only then does the high-pressure grinding stage commence. This preliminary alignment action ensures that subsequent grinding maintains fiber orientation rather than creating stringy textures.
2Quantity of substance
If high pressure is applied during grinding, then material flow is improved, but protein binding increases causing poor product quality
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure application is segmented into low-pressure and high-pressure zones. The low-pressure zone maintains material flow and prevents protein binding, while the high-pressure zone is localized to specific grinding elements that perform size reduction. This spatial segmentation of pressure zones resolves the contradiction between material flow and product quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different pressure levels are applied to different parts of the grinding system. Low pressure is applied in the feed and alignment sections to maintain flow and prevent binding, while high pressure is localized to the cutting elements where size reduction is needed. This local differentiation of pressure quality allows simultaneous achievement of good material flow and product quality.
3Stability of the object's composition
If turbulence is increased for mixing, then homogeneity is improved, but fiber alignment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing and homogenization functions are segmented from the alignment function. Gentle mixing occurs in the low-pressure feed section to achieve homogeneity without disrupting fiber orientation, while intense turbulent mixing is avoided in the alignment section. This functional segmentation resolves the contradiction between homogeneity and fiber alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
Different mixing intensities are applied to different sections of the grinder. Low-intensity mixing is applied in the feed section to achieve homogeneity, while the alignment section maintains a calm, low-turbulence environment to preserve fiber orientation. This local differentiation of mixing quality resolves the contradiction between homogeneity and alignment.
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 approach enhances the grinding process by reducing protein release and turbulence, resulting in improved fiber alignment, better bite and bind, and controlled cook shape, while maintaining consistent product quality.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing venturi principles with spherical and cylindrical intersections to minimize pressure loss and maximize fiber alignment
Data Source
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AI summary
A grinder with independent blades and an apparatus and methods to the product to be stretched, aligning the fibers of the product.