Vertical Noodle Maker Cutting Rod Residue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional noodle makers face issues with dough residue and decreased efficiency due to inadequate dough kneading and extrusion processes, particularly in the later stages of dough extrusion, where dough pieces become smaller and are difficult to scrape off, leading to incomplete extrusion and residue in the stirring container.
Innovation Solution
A vertical household noodle maker design featuring a cylindrical stirring container with a cutting rod and symmetrical stirring blades, where the cutting rod cooperates with the stirring blades to continuously mix and cut dough into smaller sizes, facilitating easier feeding into the extrusion cylinder and preventing residue, while the spiral rod's opposite rotation directions during kneading and extrusion enhance dough extrusion efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a stirring blade scrapes dough pieces off the stirring rod in a horizontal noodle maker, then dough extrusion is achieved, but dough pieces remain in the stirring container at later stages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional horizontal arrangement to a vertical arrangement where the stirring rod is positioned above the extrusion cylinder. This inversion allows gravity to assist dough flow and enables complete discharge of dough pieces without residue remaining in the stirring container.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a horizontal two-dimensional scraping mechanism to a vertical three-dimensional configuration. The feeding inlet at the bottom of the stirring container connects to the extrusion cylinder below, creating a vertical flow path that eliminates dead zones and ensures complete dough extrusion.
2Productivity
If dough pieces are mixed to large sizes, then dough kneading is achieved, but it is difficult for dough pieces to enter the extrusion cylinder via the feeding inlet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cutting rod with cutting blades that segment large dough pieces into smaller portions during the kneading process. This segmentation continues until the dough pieces are small enough to easily enter the extrusion cylinder through the feeding inlet, solving the problem of large dough pieces blocking the inlet.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting rod performs preliminary cutting action on dough pieces during the kneading phase, breaking them down into smaller sizes before extrusion. This preliminary size reduction ensures smooth feeding into the extrusion cylinder and prevents bottlenecks during the extrusion process.
3Productivity
If a stirring rod rotates coaxially with the spiral rod, then dough mixing is achieved, but dough pieces cannot be completely scraped off at later stages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional coaxial horizontal arrangement to a vertical non-coaxial arrangement. The stirring rod rotates vertically above the extrusion cylinder, and the feeding inlet is positioned at the bottom. This inversion eliminates the scraping problem and ensures complete dough discharge with uniform sizing.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting rod with multiple cutting blades segments dough pieces uniformly during rotation. This segmentation ensures that all dough pieces reach a consistent small size suitable for extrusion, improving size uniformity and preventing any dough from being left behind in the stirring container.
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 design improves dough kneading efficiency, ensures no residue is left in the stirring container, and produces more chewy noodles by effectively cutting and mixing dough to a uniform size, enhancing the overall noodle-making process.
Implementation Method 1
The motor is configured to rotate the stirring rod and the spiral rod
Implementation Method 2
an inner wall of the stirring container is provided with a cutting rod, and a projection of the cutting rod in a horizontal direction at least partially overlaps with a projection of the stirring blade in the horizontal direction
Implementation Method 3
a feeding inlet is provided at a bottom of the stirring container, and the feeding inlet is in communication with the extrusion cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
A vertical household noodle maker includes a base, a stirring container connected to the base, a stirring rod longitudinally arranged in the stirring container, an extrusion cylinder horizontally arranged at one side below the stirring container, a spiral rod arranged in the extrusion cylinder, an extrusion die and a control unit. The stirring rod includes a rod body and a stirring blade. The motor rotates the stirring rod and the spiral rod, and a feeding inlet in communication with the extrusion cylinder is provided at a bottom of the stirring container. An inner wall of the stirring container is provided with a cutting rod, and a projection of the cutting rod at least partially overlaps with a projection of the stirring blade in the horizontal direction when the stirring blade is driven by the motor to rotate to a position of the cutting rod.