Rotating Braid-Head Nozzle Assembly for Dough Extrusion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sealing methods in extrusion die machines fail prematurely due to the abrasiveness and high viscosity of dough, leading to frequent equipment teardowns and production line idling, as they are not effective in preventing dough migration into bearings at high pressures required for extrusion.

Innovation Solution

A rotating nozzle assembly with a three-stage sealing arrangement, including a ring seal between the stationary sleeve and nozzle ring, additional seals from stationary sleeve ridges, and drive-sleeve-bearing seal assemblies, which are designed to prevent dough ingress into the gear area and reduce friction, allowing operation at lower pressures and minimizing equipment downtime.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If conventional sealing methods are used in extrusion die machines, then the machine can operate at high pressures (40-80 psi) required for dough extrusion, but the seals fail prematurely due to dough abrasiveness and high viscosity, requiring frequent teardowns and production line idling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextrusion pressureVSAvoidseal durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system is divided into three independent stages: (1) ring seal between stationary sleeve and nozzle ring, (2) stationary sleeve ridges sealing, and (3) drive-sleeve-bearing seal assemblies. Each stage handles sealing at different locations, distributing the sealing burden and preventing single-point failure under high pressure and abrasive conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Stationary sleeve ridges act as intermediary sealing elements between the high-pressure dough flow and the bearing areas. These ridges create intermediate sealing barriers that prevent dough migration into sensitive mechanical components, protecting the system from abrasiveness and viscosity-related seal failure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If high pressure (40-80 psi) is applied to force dough through the extrusion head, then dough extrusion is achieved, but dough migrates into bearings and seals fail, requiring time-consuming teardowns and cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedough extrusion rateVSAvoidequipment downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The three-stage sealing arrangement is pre-configured to prevent dough migration before it can reach bearings and mechanical components. The stationary sleeve ridges and seal assemblies are positioned in advance to intercept dough flow, eliminating the need for reactive teardowns and cleaning operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The high-pressure dough flow, which previously caused seal failure and dough migration, is now channeled through the streamlined nozzle assembly. The controlled pressure path forces dough through the extrusion openings while the sealing stages convert the potential harmful high-pressure migration into beneficial controlled extrusion, reducing downtime

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Stress or pressure

If a streamlined nozzle assembly is designed to allow extrusion at lower pressures, then pressure requirements can be reduced, but the sealing arrangement must be complex enough to prevent dough ingress into rotating mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextrusion pressureVSAvoidsealing arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing components are nested within the nozzle assembly structure: the ring seal is nested between the stationary sleeve and nozzle ring, the stationary sleeve ridges are nested within the sleeve body, and the drive-sleeve-bearing seals are nested around the rotating components. This nested arrangement provides comprehensive sealing without excessive external complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS10980243B2Rotating braid-head nozzle assembly

Publication Date: 2021.04.20 READING BAKERY SYST

AI summary

A rotating nozzle assembly for a die machine connectable to a dough extruder has a stationary sleeve with a first end having internal and external annular recesses and an annular stepped seating surface and a second end mountable in the die machine mounting plate. A nozzle has a first end rotatably disposed in the stationary-sleeve first-end internal annular recess, a second end and a radially outwardly-protruding annular ring between the first and second nozzle ends. A ring seal is disposed between the stationary-sleeve first-end annular stepped seating surface and the radially outwardly-protruding annular nozzle ring. A nozzle cap is fixedly attached to the stationary-sleeve first end. The nozzle is rotatably disposed in the nozzle cap. The nozzle second end extends beyond the nozzle cap. An annular stepped axial thrust bearing surface in the nozzle cap prevents relative axial movement of the nozzle while allowing rotation of the nozzle.