Rotary Food Pump and Mold Plate for Uniform Patty Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food product forming machines, such as FORMAX patty-molding machines, lack energy efficiency, durability, maintenance-free operation, controllability, uniformity in producing patties, output rate, and convenience in cleaning and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A food product forming machine with a rotary food pump, molding mechanism, and knockout drive system, featuring a reciprocating mold plate, positive displacement pump, and a servo rotary actuator, which ensures uniform patty production, high output rate, and ease of maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional patty-molding machines are used, then basic molding function is achieved, but energy efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical reciprocating pump systems with a rotary positive displacement pump system. The rotary pump uses continuous rotational motion with intermeshing rotors to move food product, eliminating the need for reciprocating pistons and valves. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity, minimizes energy loss through friction and heat, and improves overall energy efficiency of the molding machine.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary positive displacement pump provides continuous food product delivery to the mold cavity, eliminating the intermittent action of reciprocating pumps. The continuous rotation of rotors ensures steady flow of food material, maintaining consistent pressure and flow rate throughout the molding cycle, which improves energy efficiency by avoiding repeated acceleration and deceleration of mechanical components.
2Productivity
If high-speed molding is implemented, then productivity increases, but durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces high-stress reciprocating mechanical systems with a rotary positive displacement pump system that operates continuously at steady speeds. The rotary mechanism with intermeshing rotors distributes mechanical stress more evenly throughout the system, reducing peak loads on individual components. This allows for sustained high-speed operation while maintaining component durability and reducing wear.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex molding mechanisms are used, then manufacturing precision improves, but ease of repair worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the food product delivery system into modular components: a rotary pump assembly, a manifold with multiple outlets, and a mold plate with cavities. Each component can be independently accessed, removed, and maintained. The rotary pump's rotors can be extracted from the housing for servicing, and the manifold can be detached from the mold plate, allowing maintenance without disassembling the entire mechanism while preserving manufacturing precision.
4Productivity
If automated food product delivery is implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex reciprocating pump mechanisms with a simpler rotary positive displacement pump system. The continuous rotation of two intermeshing rotors provides automated food product delivery without requiring multiple valves, pistons, or complex timing mechanisms. This mechanical substitution reduces the number of moving parts and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining high productivity through continuous 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
The machine achieves enhanced energy efficiency, durability, and controllability, producing uniform patties at a higher rate with reduced maintenance needs and improved operational convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The pump preferably 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
configured to rotate and drive food product: toward the front of the hopper
Implementation Method 3
the drive and driven gears are meshed to operate the rotors in sync
Implementation Method 4
The pump motor is a servo rotary actuator
Data Source
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AI summary
A food product forming machine comprising, a food supply configured to contain food mass, a positive displacement pump connected to the food supply and configured to pump food mass at a pressure, a molding mechanism having a mold plate, the mold plate including a cavity and being reciprocated by a mold plate drive between a cavity fill position and a cavity discharge position, and a manifold including an inlet and an outlet, wherein the manifold is configured to receive food mass from the positive displacement pump through the inlet and food mass is configured to pass through the outlet toward the mold plate for filling the cavity of the mold plate, wherein the manifold has a truncated triangular cross-section.