Rotary Pump Patty Forming Machine Reciprocating Mold Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing machines for producing uniform food patties face challenges such as low energy efficiency, durability, maintenance requirements, controllability, output rate, and operational noise, particularly in high-speed molding applications.
Innovation Solution
A food product forming machine with a rotary food pump, servo motor-driven mold plate, and an auger system that includes a hopper and feed screws, enabling precise control and efficient production of uniform patties with enhanced durability and reduced maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-speed molding machines are used to increase output rate, then productivity is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The molding machine uses periodic reciprocating motion of the mold plate instead of continuous high-speed operation. The mold plate alternates between filling position and discharge position in controlled cycles, reducing energy consumption while maintaining productive output rates through optimized cycle timing rather than sheer speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional high-speed mechanical impact molding with a controlled filling mechanism. Food product is forced into mold cavities through a filling mechanism that operates at lower speeds with controlled pressure, eliminating the need for high-speed mechanical striking while achieving complete cavity filling and maintaining productivity.
2Productivity
If high-speed molding machines are used to increase output rate, then productivity is improved, but durability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controlled periodic reciprocation of the mold plate reduces mechanical stress and wear compared to continuous high-speed operation. The alternating between filling and discharge positions with controlled timing allows components to rest and reduces cumulative fatigue, thereby improving durability while maintaining output rate through efficient cycle management.
3Productivity
If high-speed molding machines are used to increase output rate, then productivity is improved, but operational noise deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces high-speed mechanical impact mechanisms with a controlled filling system that forces food product into mold cavities using controlled pressure rather than high-speed impact. This substitution dramatically reduces operational noise while maintaining productivity through efficient, controlled filling cycles.
4Device complexity
If traditional pump systems are used, then device complexity is maintained, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is segmented into multiple independent pumping elements, each responsible for filling specific mold cavities. This segmentation allows precise control of food product flow to each cavity, ensuring uniform patty formation while keeping each individual pumping element relatively simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system controls filling parameters such as pressure, flow rate, and timing for each mold cavity independently. By adjusting these parameters precisely, the system achieves uniform patty formation and consistent manufacturing quality without requiring overly complex mechanical structures.
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 machine achieves high-capacity, energy-efficient, and durable patty production with improved controllability and output rate, while minimizing noise and maintenance, ensuring consistent patty quality and increased operational convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The pump has two rotors configured to create a vacuum between the inlet and the outlet when driven to rotate for drawing food product to the outlet.
Implementation Method 2
The auger system has one feed screw configured to move food product longitudinally forward in the hopper toward the outlet.
Data Source
AI summary
The food product machine with a food supply, a rotary food pump connected to the food supply, a molding mechanism having a mold plate and a knockout drive, and a the mold plate configured to be driven to reciprocated between a fill and a discharge position. The knockout drive is reciprocating a knockout plunger to discharge molded food products from a cavity in the mold plate, the mold plate being reciprocated by a mold plate drive between a cavity fill position and a cavity discharge position. The machine further includes a manifold connected an outlet of the food pump and having an outlet passageway connected to an inlet of the molding mechanism for filling the cavity of the mold plate.