Radially Movable Seal for Meat Mincer Shaft Gap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing meat processing shredding devices suffer from material abrasion and contamination due to vibrations between the drive shaft and perforated plates, leading to coarse particles in the shredded product, and attempts to reduce the gap with seals result in high wear and cost issues.

Innovation Solution

A radially movable seal, such as a sealing ring, is used to close the gap between the perforated plate and the rotating shaft, allowing radial movement to accommodate vibrations while preventing coarse particles from entering the shredded material, with options including fixation in the perforated plate or shaft, or a floating design within recesses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a gap is provided between the perforated plate and the rotating shaft to accommodate vibrations, then material abrasion and contamination are reduced, but coarse particles enter the shredded material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial abrasion and contaminationVSAvoidquality of shredded material
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A seal is introduced as an intermediary element between the rotating shaft and the perforated plate. The seal closes the gap to prevent coarse particles from entering the shredded material, while its radially movable design allows it to accommodate vibrations without causing material abrasion or contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The seal is designed to be radially movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adapt to the vibrations of the rotating shaft. This dynamic design enables the seal to maintain contact and close the gap effectively while moving radially to absorb vibrational movements, preventing both particle contamination and material abrasion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the gap is reduced to prevent coarse particles from entering, then product quality improves, but material abrasion on the perforated plate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of shredded materialVSAvoidmaterial abrasion on perforated plate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The seal acts as a mediator that closes the gap to improve product quality by preventing coarse particle contamination, while simultaneously protecting the perforated plate from material abrasion through its radially movable design that accommodates vibrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The seal's radial movability allows it to change its position parameter dynamically in response to vibrations, maintaining an effective seal against coarse particles while adjusting its contact pressure to minimize material abrasion on the perforated plate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If a rigid seal is used to close the gap, then coarse particles are prevented from entering, but the seal experiences high wear due to vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidseal wear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is designed with radial movability, transforming from a rigid structure to a dynamic one that can adapt to vibrations. This allows the seal to maintain effective sealing against coarse particles while reducing wear by accommodating vibrational movements through radial displacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The seal's ability to change its radial position parameter enables it to maintain sealing effectiveness while adapting to vibrational conditions, thereby reducing wear and improving reliability without compromising the prevention of coarse particle contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2164635B1Apparatus for mincing a product for mincing
Publication Date: 2013.08.21 INOTEC MASCHENENTWICKLUNG & VERTRIEB
  • EP2164635B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2164635B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2164635B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In the case of an apparatus for mincing a product for mincing, in particular for processing meat, by means of at least one perforated disc (9.1, 9.2, 9.3) arranged in a housing (7) and a cutting blade (11.1, 11.2, 11.3), which is assigned to said perforated disc on a rotary shaft (6), wherein the rotary shaft (6) passes through the perforated disc (9.1, 9.2, 9.3) and a gap (28) is formed in this region between the perforated disc (9.1, 9.2, 9.3) and rotary shaft (6) by maintaining a distance, the gap (28) between the perforated disc (9.1, 9.2, 9.3) and rotary shaft (6) is to be closed by a seal (29.1, 29.2, 29.3).