Meat Tamping Shoes with Offset Vertical Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing facilities for manufacturing restructured meat elements, while effective in preserving the structure of lipocytes and myofibrils, can be further optimized to enhance the cohesive tamping process for improved meat block formation.
Innovation Solution
The facility employs two moving tamping shoes offset transversely and driven with alternating vertical movements, combined with conveyor belts and a leveling mechanism using a rocking motion to ensure adequate force distribution and shape reduction, optimizing the tamping process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If two conveyor belts are used for cohesively tamping the fragments of meat, then the tamping process is effective, but the tamping force distribution is insufficient and the transverse dimensions are not adequately reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The single tamping conveyor belt system is segmented into two separate conveyor belts, each responsible for applying tamping force from opposite sides. This segmentation allows independent control and optimization of force distribution across the meat block, resolving the issue of insufficient force distribution while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The tamping action is extended from a single-dimensional compression to a multi-dimensional approach by introducing two conveyor belts operating in opposite directions. This dimensional change enables simultaneous compression from multiple axes, achieving better force distribution and adequate reduction of transverse dimensions without proportionally increasing complexity
2Shape
If the two tamping conveyor belts converge from upstream to downstream, then the fragments of meat are cohesively tamped, but the transverse dimensions are not sufficiently reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tamping function is segmented between two conveyor belts that converge from opposite directions (upstream and downstream). This segmentation allows each belt to independently compress the meat block from its respective direction, achieving sufficient reduction of transverse dimensions while maintaining high productivity through parallel operation
Solution Approach 2:
The two conveyor belts are positioned asymmetrically with respect to the meat block, converging from opposite sides rather than aligned symmetrically. This asymmetric arrangement creates effective compression forces that adequately reduce transverse dimensions while the parallel convergence path maintains efficient productivity
3Manufacturing precision
If the lower tamping belt extends horizontally and the upper belt is inclined, then the tamping process is effective, but the force distribution is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The tamping system is segmented into two independently positioned conveyor belts, allowing each to be optimized for its specific function. The lower horizontal belt provides base support and compression, while the upper inclined belt adds directional compression force. This segmentation enables precise force distribution optimization without excessive manufacturing complexity through independent belt design
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the tamping system have different geometric characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The lower belt is horizontal for stable base compression, while the upper belt is inclined to provide optimized compression angle. This local quality differentiation achieves superior force distribution while keeping each individual belt simple to manufacture
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 results in a block of tamped meat with a homogeneous mass distribution and reduced transverse dimensions, maintaining the structural integrity of the meat while improving the tamping efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
two moving shoe for tamping the fragments of meat between the moving support and these shoe
Implementation Method 2
means for driving the shoes, each following an alternating vertical movement such that the shoes move out of phase with respect to one another
Implementation Method 3
a moving support for the fragments of meat designed to convey these fragments of meat in a longitudinal direction
Implementation Method 4
leveling mechanism using a rocking motion to ensure adequate force distribution and shape reduction
Data Source
AI summary
A facility that includes a means for forming meat fragments, and a movable support for the meat fragments, which is to convey said meat fragments in a longitudinal direction, through a means for cohesively compacting meat fragments to form a block of compacted meat fragments. The cohesive compaction means includes two movable compaction shoes for compacting the meat fragments between the movable support and said shoes. The shoes are mutually transversely offset relative to the longitudinal direction of conveyance. The shoes are each driven in a vertical alternating movement, such that the pads move relative to one another and out of phase with each other.