Quick-Change Heat Exchanger for Food Processing Hygiene
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing machines with heat exchangers face challenges in cleaning due to the heat exchanger's large size, weight, and sensitivity, making it difficult to remove and clean without risking contamination or damage, leading to neglect of regular maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A quick-change heat exchanger device allows for easy decoupling and reconnection of the heat exchanger from the food processing machine, enabling it to be moved and cleaned separately, using rollers and rail devices for safe and efficient movement, and quick couplings for fluid connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the heat exchanger is made large and heavy to provide sufficient heat exchange surface area, then the heat exchange efficiency is improved, but the ease of removal and cleaning is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is designed as a separable module that can be divided into two parts: a stationary part remaining in the food processing machine and a movable part that can be removed for cleaning. This segmentation allows the large heat exchange surface area to be maintained while enabling easy removal and cleaning of the movable portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable part of the heat exchanger is extracted from the complete heat exchanger assembly, allowing it to be removed separately for cleaning purposes. This extraction enables the cleaning operation to be performed on the heat exchange surface without requiring removal of the entire large heat exchanger structure.
2Productivity
If the heat exchanger is removed for cleaning, then the cleaning efficiency is improved, but the risk of contamination and damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
A service trolley acts as an intermediary device for transferring the movable heat exchanger part between the food processing machine and the cleaning location. This intermediary mechanism provides controlled movement and support, reducing the risk of damage during removal and reinstallation while maintaining high cleaning efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The quick-change device is pre-configured with coupling mechanisms that automatically align and connect the movable heat exchanger part to the stationary part. This preliminary preparation of the connection system ensures that the heat exchanger can be quickly and safely reinstalled without manual manipulation that could cause contamination or damage.
3Reliability
If the heat exchanger is made sensitive and large, then the heat exchange performance is improved, but the ease of maintenance is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is segmented into stationary and movable parts, with the movable part containing the sensitive heat exchange surfaces that require regular cleaning. This segmentation maintains the high performance of the complete heat exchanger while enabling easy access to the movable part for maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger design incorporates dynamic elements including rollers and a service trolley that enable the movable part to be easily moved for maintenance. The quick-change device provides dynamic coupling and decoupling capabilities, making the maintenance process simple and efficient while preserving the heat exchange performance.
4Ease of operation
If the quick-change device is added to enable easy removal, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling and decoupling mechanisms of the quick-change device are extracted as separate, standardized components that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This extraction simplifies the overall device complexity by using modular elements rather than integrated complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The quick-change device incorporates universal coupling mechanisms that can handle both the mechanical connection and the fluid connections (water and electricity) in a single integrated system. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
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
Facilitates simple, efficient, and safe cleaning and maintenance of the heat exchanger, reducing the risk of contamination and damage, while allowing for quick reinstallation, thus ensuring the hygiene and operational integrity of the food processing machine.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger arranged in the housing for temperature-related treatment of food products
Implementation Method 2
The food processing machine has a cooling or heating module consisting of an intake duct, a fan with drive, and a pressure chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A food processing machine (1) has a housing (10) and a heat exchanger (11) arranged in the housing (10) for temperature-treating food products (7). The food processing machine (1) has a quick-change device (20) for the heat exchanger (11). The quick-change device (20) allows the heat exchanger (11) to be easily and quickly detached from the food processing machine (1) and cleaned at another location. The food processing machine (1) could, for example, be a cooling tunnel (2) for confectionery products.