Radial Shutter Unit for Uniform Pasta Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing shutter units in vertical flow pasta packaging machines cause non-uniform pasta distribution, leading to bag conformity issues and delays in the packaging process, as well as potential residues interfering with the welding process, compromising product quality.
Innovation Solution
A shutter unit with radially arranged, pivoted blades actuated by a brushless motor, forming a diaphragm that holds and releases pasta uniformly into the forming tube, ensuring consistent pasta levels and minimizing residue accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If scissor-like shutters with two blades are used to hold and discharge pasta, then the shutter can effectively control pasta flow, but the pasta flow extends causing non-uniform distribution and central prominence in the bag
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is divided into multiple blades (at least three) arranged radially around a central axis, replacing the traditional two-blade scissor design. This segmentation allows the pasta to flow through multiple narrow gaps between adjacent blades rather than a single wide opening, distributing the pasta flow more uniformly across the bag opening and eliminating central prominence.
2Productivity
If scissor-like shutters are used, then the shutter mechanism is simple, but the pasta flow extension causes delays in the packaging process
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple blades are arranged radially in a circular pattern around a central axis, utilizing angular distribution rather than linear arrangement. This dimensional change from a linear two-blade configuration to a radial multi-blade configuration reduces the extension of pasta flow in any single direction while maintaining effective flow control, thereby reducing discharge time and increasing packaging speed.
3Reliability
If scissor-like shutters are used, then the shutter structure is compact, but pasta residues accumulate causing welding issues and quality problems
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple radially arranged blades create multiple narrow gaps between adjacent blades, which distribute and fragment the pasta flow into smaller streams. This segmentation prevents large accumulations of pasta residues in any single location, reducing the risk of residues interfering with the welding process and improving welding quality and product reliability.
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 ensures uniform pasta distribution within the bag, enhancing packaging quality and processing speed by preventing pasta tails and reducing residue-related welding issues, thus ensuring optimal bag closure and product preservation.
Implementation Method 1
The shutter unit (1) has a base plane (18) supported by a frame (24) and comprising at least a first, a second and a third blade (4a, 4b, 4c), which are pivoted on a first, a second and a third pin (5a, 5b, 5c), respectively
Implementation Method 2
receive a dose of short pasta from a weighing unit (2), hold it and then discharge it into a forming tube (20)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
There is described a shutter unit (1) for a packaging machine (100) for short pasta configured to receive a dose of pasta from a weighing unit (2) of fed pasta, hold it and then discharge it into a bag being formed by means of welding units (3, 60). The shutter unit (1) comprises a diaphragm (7) with a first, a second and a third blade (4a, 4b, 4c) pivoted on a first, a second and a third pin (5a, 5b, 5c), respectively, fixed on a base plane (18). Moving means (10) are configured to rotate the blades (4a, 4b, 4c) simultaneously between a closed position of the diaphragm (7), in which the dose of short pasta is held by the shutter unit (1), and an opening position of the diaphragm (7) to let the dose of short pasta fall into the bag being formed.