Toothed Mould Drum Drive Interface for Crack-Resistant Torque Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mould drums used for moulding food products face issues with fatigue cracks due to high filling pressures and torque transfer, especially when extended beyond conventional lengths, leading to reduced lifespan and increased stress on porous materials.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a meshing tooth profile between the driven flange structure and the mould tube, eliminating the need for dowel pins and providing a more even torque transfer with reduced stress concentrations, thus enhancing the durability and longevity of the mould drum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dowel pins are used to transfer torque from the driven flange structure to the porous mould tube, then torque transfer is achieved, but fatigue cracks occur at the holes for accommodating the dowels after long time use
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the dowel pins and their associated holes from the porous mould tube. Instead, torque is transferred directly through the interface between the driven flange structure and the mould tube outer circumferential surface, eliminating the stress concentration points that caused fatigue cracks while maintaining effective torque transfer.
2Productivity
If the mould drum length is extended from conventional 700mm or smaller to 1000mm or longer, then productivity is improved, but additional torque causes additional stresses and accelerates fatigue process causing cracks
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the dowel pin connection system, the invention eliminates the holes that acted as stress concentrators. This allows the mould drum to be extended to longer lengths (1000mm or more) without the fatigue crack issue that plagues conventional designs, enabling increased productivity while maintaining reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If high filling pressures of several tonnes or more than 10 tonnes are applied to the mould drum, then moulding quality is improved, but downward bending of the mould drum occurs and additional torque is required for rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a dynamic torque transfer system where the driven flange structure rotates with the mould drum. The direct contact interface between the flange and mould tube outer surface allows for efficient torque transfer that adapts to the varying load conditions during high-pressure filling, reducing the additional torque required compared to rigid dowel pin connections.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~2f
AI summary
The present invention relates to a mould drum, a system for moulding comprising a mould drum, a method for moulding and a method for manufacturing a mould drum. The mould drum comprises a mould tube defining an outer circumferential surface wherein groups of multiple recessed mould cavities are provided. The mould tube has a first mould tube head end. The mould drum further comprises a driven flange structure arranged against the first mould tube head end, which is adapted to be driven by a mould drum drive member to rotate the mould tube about a drum rotation axis. The driven flange structure is provided with a tooth profile, and the mould tube is provided with a meshing tooth profile, both tooth profiles meshing with each other and thereby being able to transfer torque from the driven flange structure to the mould tube.