Pasta Loader Assembly with Serpentine Descender and Rotor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing loader assemblies for long pasta result in uneven distribution and loss of pasta during unloading, leading to slow conveyor movement and packaging inefficiencies due to the sudden fall and uneven distribution of pasta.
Innovation Solution
A loader assembly with a serpentine descender, vibratory mechanism, and a rotor with grooves and a dosing paddle system that ensures precise dosing and sliding unloading of pasta into buckets, using a pneumatic cylinder and brushless motor for controlled movement and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If pasta is unloaded by sudden fall from the hopper, then unloading speed is improved, but distribution uniformity deteriorates and pasta loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter mechanism transforms from a static opening to a dynamic controlled release system. The shutter opens progressively to control the pasta flow rate, maintaining high unloading speed while ensuring uniform distribution into the bucket through controlled motion rather than sudden release.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter acts as an intermediary between the hopper and bucket, mediating the pasta flow. It controls the release mechanism to transform the sudden fall into a controlled cascade, achieving both speed and uniformity by regulating the intermediate transfer process.
2Speed
If pasta is unloaded by sudden fall from the hopper, then unloading speed is improved, but pasta loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic shutter control regulates pasta flow to match bucket capacity and conveyor speed, preventing overfilling and subsequent pasta loss while maintaining efficient unloading rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback through the shutter control mechanism that responds to bucket fill level and conveyor timing, adjusting the release rate to prevent pasta loss from overflow or misalignment.
3Measurement precision
If conventional loader assembly with shutter is used, then dosing capability is improved, but conveyor speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is pre-positioned and controlled to open in synchronization with bucket arrival, allowing rapid dose release without compromising precision. The dosing action is prepared in advance with the shutter closed, then executed quickly when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter transitions from static to dynamic control, enabling both precise dosing and high-speed operation by adjusting its opening rate and duration based on real-time operational requirements.
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
The solution enables quick and precise dosing of long pasta, preventing pasta from escaping the buckets and ensuring even distribution, thereby increasing conveyor speed and loading process efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor vibrator (5) attached to a further side of the descender (2) thanks to the elastic connection offered by said springs (107) is configured to produce a vibratory movement of the descender (2) to deliver the amount of long pasta (200)
Implementation Method 2
the shape of the loader assembly facilitates the precision of the unloading of the dose of long pasta into the bucket, which cooperates with said loader assembly by means of grooves coupled to the guides in each unloading step
Data Source
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AI summary
It is disclosed an apparatus for transferring long pasta (200) from a production line towards a packaging machine, comprising a loader assembly (1) for long pasta (200), which includes at least one descender (2) of long pasta (200), dosing means (6) and a rotor (11) provided with a cavity (12). Said apparatus comprises also a bucket (19) conveyor (18) positioned below the rotor (11).