Interchangeable Insert for Rotary Nozzle Changeover
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing rotary nozzles in pastry stick production devices require time-consuming and costly product changes, as they need to be fully disassembled and replaced when switching between different dough products, which complicates the process and increases tool investment and storage costs.
Innovation Solution
A rotary nozzle with an interchangeable insert that allows for quick and easy replacement of the insert without disassembling the nozzle from the nozzle carrier, enabling the same nozzle to produce different pastry strands by using various inserts, reducing the need for multiple nozzles and simplifying cleaning and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rotary nozzles are fully replaced when changing products, then product changeover is achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary nozzle is divided into two segments: a reusable nozzle body and a replaceable insert. The insert contains the product-specific geometry (dispersing opening, dough guide channel), while the nozzle body remains fixed. This segmentation allows only the necessary portion to be changed during product transitions, dramatically reducing changeover time and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle body is designed as a universal component that can accommodate multiple different inserts through a standardized receptacle. This multi-functionality enables a single nozzle body to produce various pastry products by simply swapping inserts, eliminating the need to replace the entire nozzle assembly for each product change.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple rotary nozzles are stocked for different products, then product versatility is achieved, but tool investment and storage costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized nozzle receptacle design allows one universal nozzle body to accept multiple different inserts. This eliminates the need to maintain separate nozzle inventories for different products, reducing the total number of nozzles that must be manufactured, stored, and managed while maintaining full product variety capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is nested within the nozzle body, with the insert's outer dimensions designed to fit precisely into the nozzle receptacle. This nesting arrangement allows the insert to be stored separately and quickly installed, reducing the need for multiple complete nozzle assemblies to be kept in inventory.
3Ease of repair
If the rotary nozzle is disassembled for cleaning, then cleaning access is improved, but the complex mechanical components require more disassembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is extracted as a separate, removable component from the nozzle body. Since the insert contains all product-specific surfaces that contact dough (dispersing opening, dough guide channel), cleaning can be focused exclusively on this extracted component, avoiding the need to disassemble the complex mechanical nozzle body with its drive connection and sealing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is designed as a simpler, lower-cost component compared to the complete nozzle assembly. While inserts may eventually require replacement, their simplified construction makes them easier to clean and maintain, and their lower cost reduces the impact of any replacement needs.
Data Source
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AI summary
Replaceable insert (36) for a rotary nozzle for a pressing device, comprises: a rotational axis (12); a supply opening (40) for supplying dough; at least one discharge opening (42) for discharging the dough; and a dough supply channel (39) connecting the supply opening and at least one discharge opening. Independent claims are also included for: (1) the rotary nozzle for holding the replaceable insert for the pressing device, comprising a replaceable insert holder with an inner contour, which corresponds with an outer contour of the replaceable insert; and (2) the pressing device comprising a reservoir for dough, a pressure generating device for generating pressure in a dough-pressure chamber, which is in connection with the reservoir, and at least one rotary nozzle for pressing each pastry strand with input side in connection with the dough-compression chamber.