Universal Meat Grinder Locking Mechanism for Safety Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional meat grinding machines face increased production and marketing costs, as well as reduced versatility, due to the need for separate models to comply with safety regulations regarding perforated plate diameters, leading to higher costs and limited use.
Innovation Solution
A universal meat grinding machine design that includes a safety kit with interchangeable elements, such as perforated plates with different hole diameters and corresponding locking devices, allowing for safe operation with either single or dual peripheral slots, eliminating the need for separate models and reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate models of meat grinding machines are produced to comply with safety regulations for different perforated plate diameters, then safety requirements are met, but production and marketing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge duct outlet is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate both types of perforated plates (with single or dual peripheral slots) through a single locking device configuration. This universal design allows one machine model to comply with safety regulations for both plate types, eliminating the need for separate models and reducing production and marketing costs while maintaining safety compliance
2Reliability
If separate models of meat grinding machines are produced for different perforated plate diameters, then safety regulations are satisfied, but device versatility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is designed with a universal structure that can securely lock both types of perforated plates (single slot and dual slot configurations). This universal locking mechanism enables a single machine model to work with multiple perforated plate types, thereby maintaining high versatility while satisfying safety regulations for different plate diameters
3Device complexity
If a universal locking device is designed to accommodate both single and dual peripheral slot plates, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is segmented into modular components with standardized coupling features that can accommodate both single and dual peripheral slot configurations. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual components while maintaining precise coupling through standardized interfaces, reducing overall device complexity without compromising manufacturing precision
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
In a machine (1) for grinding food, in particular in a machine (1) for grinding meat, the outlet (10u) of the discharge duct (4) for the ground food is closed by a perforated plate (11), which is part of a kit of interchangeable plates (11) which has at least a first type, having a first type of perforation, and a second type, having a second type of perforation; in order to keep the perforated plate (11) fixed on the outlet (10u), an axial coupling (16) and an annular cap (17) are provided, the latter facing toward the perforated plate (11) and screwed onto the outlet (10u) of the duct (4); the axial coupling (16) is defined by at least two parts, of which a first part (22) is arranged on the outlet (10u) of the discharge duct (4) and a second part (20) is arranged on an interchangeable element (18) that is interposed between the perforated plate (11) and the annular cap (17); the interchangeable element (18) is part of a safety kit that has at least two mutually different interchangeable elements (18), of which a first interchangeable element (18) is compatible both with the plates (11) of the first type and with the plates (11) of the second type and has an integrated protection body (21), while the second interchangeable element (18) is compatible exclusively with the plates (11) of the second type and lacks the aforementioned protection body (21).