Planetary Mixing Shaft Layout for Hermetic Food Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing machines require high power consumption and complex designs with two separate motors, limiting their use for modified or controlled atmosphere processing and making maintenance difficult, while also preventing uniform temperature control and efficient space usage.
Innovation Solution
A single drive shaft system where a planetary shaft rotates the mixing bowl and satellite shafts at different speeds, allowing for efficient power use and hermetic lid sealing, enabling modified atmosphere processing and easier maintenance with integrated heating capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If two separate motors are used to drive the mixing shaft and satellite shafts, then the mixing and cutting functions are achieved, but the power consumption increases and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate motor functions into a single motor system. The planetary shaft receives power from one motor and transmits it to multiple satellite shafts through gear mechanisms, eliminating the need for two separate motors while maintaining both mixing and cutting functions
Solution Approach 2:
The planetary shaft acts as an intermediary between the single motor and the satellite shafts. It receives rotational power from the motor and distributes it to the satellite shafts through planetary gears, enabling power multiplication and speed variation without requiring multiple independent power sources
2Productivity
If two separate motors are used to drive the mixing shaft and satellite shafts, then the mixing and cutting functions are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two independent drive systems into one integrated planetary gear system. The single motor drives the planetary shaft, which in turn drives multiple satellite shafts through planetary gears, reducing the number of independent drive units and simplifying the overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The planetary shaft serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a mixing shaft for stirring the product, as a drive shaft for the satellite shafts through planetary gears, and as a structural support element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components
3Adaptability or versatility
If a hermetic sealing lid is used for modified atmosphere processing, then the atmosphere control is improved, but the existing machine designs do not allow this due to their structural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines all drive mechanisms within the processing chamber, allowing the lid to be hermetically sealed. The single motor and planetary gear system are integrated into the bowl structure, eliminating the need for external drive mechanisms that would prevent hermetic sealing
4Temperature
If the bottom of the bowl is used for heating, then uniform temperature control is improved, but the existing machine designs prevent this due to motor placement on the outer surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the heating function directly into the bowl bottom structure, allowing uniform temperature distribution. The drive system is positioned above the bowl rather than on the outer surface, enabling the entire bottom surface to be used for heating without mechanical interference
5Speed
If peripheral shafts are rotated by a central sleeve with crown wheel, then high rotation speed is achieved, but the power consumption increases and hermetic sealing is not allowed
Solution Approach 1:
The planetary shaft serves as an intermediary that receives power from a single motor and distributes it to multiple satellite shafts through planetary gears. This intermediate mechanism enables speed multiplication and high rotation speeds of the satellite shafts while using only one motor, reducing power consumption compared to driving each shaft independently
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 solution optimizes power consumption, allows for uniform heating, and simplifies maintenance while enabling processing under modified atmospheres, reducing bulk and complexity, thus improving operational efficiency and product quality.
Implementation Method 1
a single drive shaft is provided in the mixing machine, for putting the product to be mixed into rotary motion in the circular processing bowl, said main or planetary drive shaft having a lower power take-off
Implementation Method 2
integrated heating capabilities
Implementation Method 3
uniform heating
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a machine for stirring, cutting, cooking or processing food under modified atmosphere. A drive shaft is provided in the mixing machine, for putting the product into rotary motion in the processing bowl, said drive shaft having a lower power take-off and being vertically supported by a liner which is integral with the base of the bowl, whereas the opposite end of said shaft is integral with a hub having at least one radial arm, with a liner fitted thereto for supporting and guiding a secondary vertical arm, which may be used for cutting or emulsifying food product, which shaft is integral with a pinion meshing with a crown wheel, said crown wheel being fitted to a sleeve which is coaxial and integral with supporting and guiding liner for the shaft, whereas each secondary shaft may be equipped with at least one epicyclically driven, high-speed mixing or processing tool.