Wet Food Processing Unit Removal via Threaded Rod
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Solution Overview
Problem
Food processing equipment in the wet food industry faces challenges in cleaning due to the sticky and wet nature of processed foods, requiring complex and time-consuming procedures, often necessitating multiple people and safety protocols to access and remove heavy machinery components for sterilization.
Innovation Solution
A wet food processing system with a separation assembly that includes guide rails and a threaded rod with a portable drive mechanism, allowing the rotary food processing unit to be easily and safely removed from its housing for cleaning, reducing the need for additional safety measures and enabling single-operator operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the rotary food processing unit is made heavy-duty for wet food processing, then it can handle sticky and wet food materials, but it becomes difficult to remove for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the food processing equipment into separable components: the rotary food processing unit can be detached from the housing. The separation assembly includes guide rails and a threaded rod mechanism that enables the rotary unit to be withdrawn independently for cleaning while maintaining structural integrity during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the heavy rotary food processing unit and the housing. It provides the mechanical means (guide rails, threaded rod, tool mounting member) to facilitate easy removal and reinstallation of the rotary unit without requiring direct manual handling of the heavy component.
2Device complexity
If manual removal methods are used for the rotary food processing unit, then equipment complexity is reduced, but cleaning access becomes time-consuming and requires multiple operators
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces purely manual mechanical removal with a mechanically assisted system. The threaded rod with tool mounting member accepts portable power tools to automate the unwthreading and removal process, significantly reducing the time and labor required compared to manual handling alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation assembly transitions from a static heavy-duty connection to a dynamic removable connection. The threaded rod mechanism allows controlled movement of the rotary unit along the guide rails, enabling easy extraction and reinsertion while maintaining operational stability when engaged.
3Productivity
If the rotary food processing unit is positioned deep within the housing for operational efficiency, then processing capacity is improved, but cleaning access is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the processing function (rotary unit) from the housing structure, allowing the rotary unit to be positioned optimally for processing while maintaining the ability to extract it completely for cleaning. The guide rails provide a path for full extraction without compromising operational positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation assembly enables complete extraction of the rotary food processing unit from the housing. The threaded rod mechanism, when actuated with a portable tool, unwthreads to allow the rotary unit to be fully removed along the guide rails, providing unrestricted access for cleaning while maintaining deep integration during operation.
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
Facilitates quick and safe access for cleaning, reducing downtime and operational costs by allowing the rotary food processing unit to be power-driven out of the cavity in a fraction of a minute, thereby addressing the unique cleaning challenges of wet food processing equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a threaded rod having a first portion attached to the rotary food processing unit, a second portion rotatably supported by the outer housing for relative rotation, and a third, terminal end portion
Data Source
AI summary
A wet food supply apparatus of a wet food processing system includes an outer housing defining an internal cavity, a rotary food processing unit located within the internal cavity during operation of the wet food supply apparatus, and a separation assembly for withdrawing the rotary food processing unit from within the internal cavity for cleaning purposes. The separation assembly includes a threaded rod having a first portion attached to the rotary food processing unit, a second portion rotatably supported by the outer housing for relative rotation, and a third, terminal end portion including a tool mounting member for receiving a drive head of a drive mechanism, such as a portable, battery powered rotary impact tool, for rotating the threaded rod to selectively shift the rotary food processing unit out of the internal cavity of the outer housing to expose the rotary food processing unit.