Torque Multiplier for Meat Grinder Mounting Ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing meat grinder designs face challenges in efficient assembly and disassembly, operator safety, and reduced production time due to strenuous physical movements required for loosening and tightening the mounting ring, which affects production efficiency and compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

Innovation Solution

A torque multiplier system is integrated into the meat grinder, allowing for easier installation and removal of the mounting ring, powered by either human effort or a mechanical source, such as a torque gun, to reduce physical strain and improve safety during assembly and disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a manual tool with a long handle is used to loosen and tighten the mounting ring, then the operator can control the mounting ring, but the operator experiences strenuous physical movements and increased assembly/disassembly time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of mounting ring installationVSAvoidassembly and disassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical system (long handle tool requiring operator physical effort) with an automated mechanical system (torque multiplier device powered by a motor). The motor-driven torque multiplier automatically loosens and tightens the mounting ring, eliminating the need for operator physical exertion and significantly reducing assembly/disassembly time while maintaining precise control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If frequent assembly and disassembly is performed to meet sanitation standards, then safety and regulatory compliance is improved, but production time is reduced and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesanitation standard complianceVSAvoidproduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The torque multiplier device enables the mounting ring to be quickly and easily installed and removed by the operator without requiring strenuous physical effort. This self-service capability allows operators to perform frequent assembly/disassembly operations to meet sanitation standards while minimizing the time lost to these operations, thereby maintaining high production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Strength

If manual force is applied to tighten the mounting ring, then the mounting ring can be secured, but operator safety is compromised due to strenuous physical movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting ring tightening forceVSAvoidoperator safety risk

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical system (operator applying physical force) with an automated motor-driven torque multiplier system. The motor provides the necessary tightening force through the torque multiplier mechanism, eliminating the need for operator physical exertion and associated safety risks while ensuring consistent and adequate mounting ring securing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If a torque multiplier system is introduced to reduce physical effort, then ease of operation and safety are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting ring installation easeVSAvoidgrinder assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The torque multiplier device is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides motor-driven power for loosening and tightening the mounting ring, incorporates a gear mechanism for torque multiplication, and can be integrated with the existing grinder structure. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering significant benefits in ease of operation, safety, and time efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 torque multiplier system significantly reduces the physical effort needed for assembly and disassembly, enhances operator safety, and decreases production time, thereby improving overall efficiency and compliance with safety standards.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorque multiplication: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS11850599B2Mounting ring installation system for a meat grinding system

Publication Date: 2023.12.26 LEWIN JESSE JAMES

AI summary

A mounting ring installation system including a torque multiplier introduced to a grinder head to aid in the installation and removal of the mounting ring which holds the grinding plate system securely into the grinder head. The torque multiplying device can have multiple sources of input power including human power or a mechanical source and can be installed on a variety of grinder types and sizes.