Walnut Supply Apparatus Mechanical Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing walnut cake baking machines require manual operation and multiple sensors, leading to increased manufacturing costs, labor requirements, and inconsistent walnut grain supply, making mass production challenging and quality control difficult.
Innovation Solution
A walnut supply apparatus that uses a vibrator to move walnut grains into a feeder, which is synchronized with a mold driving unit to accurately position and supply the grains without additional sensors, utilizing a feeder driving mechanism to pivot and drop the grains into the mold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual operation is used to supply walnut grains to the mold, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity is low and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses mechanical synchronization where the feeder mechanism automatically supplies walnut grains to the mold based on the mold's position and movement, without requiring external sensors or complex control systems. The feeder itself serves both as the supply mechanism and the positioning reference, allowing the system to self-regulate the grain supply timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces sensor-based electronic control with a purely mechanical synchronization system. The feeder mechanism's movement and positioning are mechanically linked to the mold's movement, using mechanical linkages and geometric relationships to achieve automatic coordination without electronic sensors or complex programming.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple sensors are used to detect walnut grain position and mold position, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the sensor system entirely from the design. Instead of using sensors to detect positions and trigger supply timing, the system uses a mechanically synchronized feeder that inherently provides precise positioning through its mechanical linkage to the mold and its periodic movement pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The feeder mechanism serves dual functions: it is both the walnut grain supply device and the positioning reference system. Its mechanical movement pattern and geometric relationship with the mold create the synchronization automatically, eliminating the need for separate sensing and control systems.
3Reliability
If additional sensors are installed to confirm walnut grain position, then the reliability of supply is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves reliable supply through self-synchronization where the feeder's mechanical movement pattern is inherently coordinated with the mold's position and opening timing. The feeder mechanism automatically adjusts its operation based on the mold's state through their mechanical linkage, ensuring consistent grain supply without external monitoring devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The feeder mechanism performs preliminary positioning and timing actions based on pre-established mechanical relationships. The synchronization is built into the mechanical design beforehand, so that when the system operates, the feeder automatically supplies grains at the correct moment without requiring real-time sensor feedback or adjustment.
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
This solution reduces labor costs, ensures consistent walnut grain size and quality, and simplifies the manufacturing process by automating the supply of walnut grains into the mold, allowing for efficient mass production without the need for additional sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a vibrator applying vibration to a walnut grain to move the walnut grain
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a walnut supply apparatus including: a vibrator applying vibration to a walnut grain to move the walnut grain; a walnut discharging guide part formed at an upper portion of the vibrator to discharge the walnut grain from the vibrator; a feeder formed at one end of the walnut discharging guide part along a moving direction of the walnut grain to supply the walnut grain into a mold; a feeder driving part pivoting the feeder to drop the walnut grain disposed on the feeder into the mold; and a mold driving unit cyclically transferring the mold along a predetermined path. The walnut supply apparatus according to the present invention may accurately supply the walnut grain to the mold without using an additional sensor.