Variable Roller Spacing for Sushi Rice Density Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooked rice mold apparatuses face difficulties in adjusting the supply amount of sushi rice to achieve desired density and thickness, leading to challenges in producing high-density sushi with precise thickness control and efficient production.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features variable roller spacing for both the top and bottom rolling roller pairs, allowing independent or synchronized adjustment, and includes a complex feed mechanism with one roller fixed and the other movable, enhancing maintainability and control over sushi rice density and thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the rotation speed of the top rolling roller pair is increased to increase sushi rice supply amount, then the supply amount increases, but fine thickness control becomes difficult due to flow velocity variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the roller spacing of the top rolling roller pair variable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment of the spacing between rollers. This enables control of sushi rice supply amount and density without relying solely on rotation speed changes, thereby maintaining fine thickness control while adjusting supply quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of roller spacing (distance between rollers) to control the supply amount and density of sushi rice. By adjusting this geometric parameter, the system can control material flow and density without the adverse effects of changing rotation speed.
2Quantity of substance
If the rotation speed of the bottom rolling roller pair is reduced to increase sushi rice density, then the density increases, but the molding time becomes long resulting in decreased production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces variable roller spacing in the top rolling roller pair to control sushi rice density before it reaches the bottom rolling roller pair. This allows the bottom rollers to operate at optimal speeds for both density and productivity, as the spacing adjustment upstream prepares the rice for efficient processing downstream.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary density control by adjusting the roller spacing in the top rolling roller pair before the sushi rice reaches the molding section. This preliminary action prepares the rice with the desired density, allowing the subsequent molding process to proceed efficiently without requiring reduced speeds that would extend processing time.
3Device complexity
If the roller spacing of the top rolling roller pair is kept constant, then the structure is simple, but the supply amount of sushi rice cannot be adjusted to achieve desired density and thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed roller spacing into a variable one for the top rolling roller pair, enabling adjustment of sushi rice supply amount and density. This dynamic feature provides adaptability while maintaining relatively simple device structure through straightforward mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a cooked rice mold apparatus that can easily adjust the supply amount of sushi rice. The roller spacing of a top rolling roller pair 31 arranged on the exit side of a hopper 2 of a rolling section 4 is variable.