DOUGH PENETRATION PREVENTION DEVICE OF KNEADING MACHINE

Abstract

A dough penetration prevention device of a kneading machine includes a lip seal ring having seal ring wings integrally formed on an inner circumferential surface of the lip seal ring and fixed to a bearing housing, a head seal body on the sleeve in front of the bearing housing and fixed by a fixing body, to supply steam at a pressure level equal to the pressure of the kneading container into an opposite gap (t) between an outer circumferential surface of the sleeve and the lip seal ring, in opposition to the steam pressure of the kneading container attempting to penetrate into a gap (t) between the seal ring wings of the lip seal ring and the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve, and a steam supply and discharge part discharging condensed water to the outside while supplying steam to an inner circumferential surface of the head seal body.

Claims

1. A dough penetration prevention device of a kneading machine comprises: a lip seal ring having a plurality of seal ring wings, which are integrally formed on s an inner circumferential surface of the lip seal ring and are fixed to a bearing housing, so as to prevent penetration of a dough, caused by steam pressure of a kneading container, into a main bearing in a bearing housing which is provided to assist rotation of a sleeve connected to a rotating shaft; a head seal body which is mounted on the sleeve in front of the bearing housing and is fixed by a fixing body, so as to supply steam at a pressure level equal to the pressure of the kneading container into an opposite gap (t) between an outer circumferential surface of the sleeve and the lip seal ring, in opposition to the steam pressure of the kneading container attempting to penetrate into a gap (t) between the seal ring wings of the lip seal ring and the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve; and a steam supply and discharge part which discharges condensed water, which is condensed by reacting with the steam of the kneading container, to the outside while supplying steam to an inner circumferential surface of the head seal body.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the steam supply and discharge part comprises: a steam guide hole which is formed at the other side of the head seal body and is supplied with steam; a steam guide passage which is formed at the bearing housing connected to the steam guide hole, so as to supply steam at a predetermined pressure level to the steam guide hole; an automatic opening-closing valve mounted on a connection line which is connected to a steam guide passage, so as to restrict an amount of steam supplied to the steam guide passage; a condensed water discharge hole formed on an opposite side of the steam guide hole of the head seal body, so as to discharge the condensed water from steam having been supplied to the steam guide hole and completed its function; and a condensed water discharge passage formed at the bearing housing connected to the condensed water discharge hole, so as to discharge the condensed water of the condensed water discharge hole to the outside.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of screw grooves which are formed on an outer circumferential surface of a sleeve, so as to push the dough of the kneading container, which has penetrated into the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the head seal body and the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve, toward the kneading container.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of stopper-screws, which are coupled to a plurality of screw holes formed at a protruding portion of the bearing housing, so as to prevent the lip seal ring from rotating along with the sleeve.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a first blocking seal ring, which is connected between the head seal body and the lip seal ring, so as to prevent the dough, having passed through the gap between the head seal body and the sleeve, from penetrating into the lip seal ring.

6. The device of claim 4, further comprising a second blocking seal ring, which is mounted in an oil chamber of the bearing housing, so as to prevent the dough, having passed through a space between the lip seal ring and the sleeve, from penetrating into the main bearing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining a sealing structure of a conventional kneading machine.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a diagram explaining a problem of the sealing structure of the conventional kneading machine.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a dough penetration prevention device mounted in a kneading machine of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a diagram explaining an example of a configuration of the dough penetration prevention device of the present invention.

[0028] FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams explaining an operation of a dough penetration prevention device of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 7 is a diagram explaining another example of a configuration and operation of the dough penetration prevention device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] A configuration of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] The kneading machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a lip seal ring 101 having a plurality of seal ring wings 102, which are integrally formed on an inner circumferential surface of the lip seal ring 101 and are fixed to a bearing housing 121, so as to prevent penetration of a dough, caused by steam pressure of a kneading container 182, into a main bearing 126 in the bearing housing 121 which is provided to assist rotation of a sleeve 131 connected to the rotating shaft 181;

[0032] A head seal body 111 which is mounted on the sleeve 131 in front of the bearing housing 121 and is fixed by a fixing body 114, so as to supply steam at a pressure level equal to the pressure of the kneading container 182 into an opposite gap (t) between an outer circumferential surface of the sleeve 131 and the lip seal ring 101, in opposition to the steam pressure of the kneading container 182 attempting to penetrate into a gap (t) between the seal ring wings 102 of the lip seal ring 101 and the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve 131; and

[0033] A steam supply and discharge part which discharges condensed water, which is condensed by reacting with the steam of the kneading container 182 while supplying steam into an inner circumferential surface of the head seal body 111.

[0034] Further, the steam supply and discharge part includes a steam guide hole 112 which is formed at another side of the head seal body 111 and is supplied with steam;

[0035] A steam guide passage 122 which is formed at the bearing housing 121 connected to the steam guide hole 112, so as to supply steam at a predetermined pressure level to the steam guide hole 112;

[0036] An automatic opening-closing valve 171 mounted on a connection line 172 which is connected to the steam guide passage 122, so as to restrict an amount of steam supplied to the steam guide passage 122;

[0037] A condensed water discharge hole 113 formed on an opposite side of the steam guide hole 112 of the head seal body 111, so as to discharge the condensed water from steam which has been supplied to the steam guide hole 112 and has completed its function; and

[0038] A condensed water discharge passage 123 formed at the bearing housing 121 connected to the condensed water discharge hole 113, so as to discharge the condensed water of the condensed water discharge hole 113 to the outside.

[0039] In addition, a plurality of screw grooves 132 are further provided at the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve 131, so as to push the dough of the kneading container 182, which has penetrated into the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the head seal body 111 and the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve 131, toward the kneading container 182.

[0040] Moreover, a plurality of stopper-screws 141 are further provided, which are coupled to a plurality of screw holes 125 formed at a protruding portion of the bearing housing 121, so as to prevent the lip seal ring 101 from rotating along with the sleeve 131.

[0041] A first blocking seal ring 15 is further provided, which is connected between the head seal body 111 and the lip seal ring 101, so as to prevent the dough, having passed through a space between the head seal body 111 and the sleeve 131, from penetrating into the lip seal ring 101.

[0042] A second blocking seal ring 16 is further provided, which is mounted in an oil chamber 124 of the bearing housing 121, so as to prevent the dough, having passed through a space between the lip seal ring 101 and the sleeve 131, from penetrating into the main bearing 126.

[0043] In the configuration, not only the dough but also high-temperature water or compressed air, which penetrates from the kneading container 182, and the like, may be prevented from penetrating between the inner circumferential surface of the head seal body 111 and the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve 131.

[0044] The present invention, which is configured as described above, may be operated as follows.

[0045] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a dough penetration prevention device mounted in a kneading machine of the present invention; and FIG. 4 is a diagram explaining an example of a configuration of the dough penetration prevention device of the present invention, in which a dough, such as flour, rice, and the like to be kneaded, is put into the kneading container 182, and water or other liquid to be combined is added thereto.

[0046] Then, once a start button of a control box (not shown) is pressed, the rotating shaft 181 of the present invention rotates by power transferred from an external motor and a power transfer device (not shown), and steam at a proper temperature is supplied by a separate line into the kneading container 182 for smooth mixture.

[0047] Once the rotating shaft 181 rotates, the sleeve 131 connected to one side of the rotating shaft 181 rotates along with the rotating shaft 181.

[0048] The other side of the rotating shaft 181 is supported by a bearing connected to the kneading machine, and the outer circumference of the sleeve 131 is supported by the main bearing 126 connected to the bearing housing 121 of the kneading machine, thereby enabling smooth rotation.

[0049] Accordingly, kneading is performed in such a manner that a stirring piece (not shown), connected to a front end portion at one side of the rotating shaft 181, stirs and mixes the dough in the kneading container 182.

[0050] As described above, during rotation of the rotating shaft 181 and the sleeve 131, the dough in the kneading container 182 spreads to the inner circumferential surface of the kneading container 182, to come into contact with one side portion of the rotating shaft 181, one side portion of the sleeve 131, and one side portion of the head seal body 111, which are exposed toward the kneading container 182.

[0051] In this case, the control box senses the pressure of steam supplied into the kneading container 182, and opens an automatic opening-closing valve 171, as illustrated in FIG. 3, to supply pressure equivalent to the steam pressure of the kneading container 182.

[0052] By opening the automatic opening-closing valve 171, steam provided from an external source is supplied along the connection line 172 to the steam guide passage 122 formed at the bearing housing 121, and then is fed into the steam guide hole 112 of the head seal body 111 which is connected to the steam guide passage 122, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0053] The steam fed into the steam guide hole 112 is supplied into a small gap (t) formed between an inner circumferential surface of the head seal body 111 and an outer circumferential surface of the sleeve 131 which is connected thereto, and the steam supplied into the small gap (t) is supplied along the gap (t) toward the kneading container 182 which is on the opposite side, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0054] The pressure of steam supplied through the gap (t) from the steam guide hole 112 to the kneading container 182 is equivalent to the pressure of steam attempting to penetrate toward the steam guide hole 112 through the gap (t) from the kneading container 182 on the opposite side, thereby offsetting the steam, and preventing the steam from penetrating through the gap (t), and the steam merely turns around inside the kneading container 182.

[0055] Accordingly, as the steam of the kneading container 182 fails to penetrate through the gap (t), the dough is prevented from being deposited at the entrance of the gap (t) of the kneading container 182, and scale of dough is not formed which is caused when the dough is deposited and hardens.

[0056] Further, the pressure in the kneading container 182 is changed frequently according to a mixed degree of the dough, such that in response to the pressure change, the automatic opening-closing valve 17 is repeatedly opened and closed according to an instruction of the control box to respond to the pressure change of the kneading container 182.

[0057] In addition, the pressure of steam supplied from the steam guide hole 112 to the kneading container 182 through the gap (t) should be at least equal to the pressure of the kneading container 182, but no significant problem will occur even when the pressure of steam supplied from the steam guide hole 112 is a little higher than the pressure of the kneading container 182.

[0058] Moreover, condensed water from the steam, having been fed into the steam guide hole 112 and completed its function, is discharged to the outside through a condensed water discharge hole 113 formed on the opposite side of the head seal body 111 and the steam guide hole 112, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0059] However, in unexpected emergency situations, such as a case where the pressure of steam supplied from the steam guide hole 112 into the kneading container 182 through the gap (t) is lower than the pressure of the kneading container 182, or a case where supply of steam is stopped, the dough may penetrate through the gap (t) between the head seal body 111 and the sleeve 131 along with steam.

[0060] In this case, the screw grooves 132, formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating sleeve 131, pushes the dough toward the kneading container 182 as illustrated in FIG. 7, such that a penetrating portion of the dough may not pass through the screw grooves 132, and is put back in place into the kneading container 812 to be mixed with the remaining dough.

[0061] Further, the plurality of stopper screws 141 coupled to the plurality of screw holes 125 formed at a protruding portion of the bearing housing 121 may prevent the lip seal ring 101 from rotating along with the sleeve 131.

[0062] In addition, the first blocking seal ring 151, which is connected between the head seal body 111 and the lip seal ring 101, is provided as a first preliminary sealing member to prevent the dough, having passed through the gap between the head seal body 111 and the sleeve 131, from penetrating into the lip seal ring 101.

[0063] Moreover, the second blocking seal ring 161, which is mounted in an oil chamber 124 of the bearing housing 121, is provided as a second preliminary sealing member to prevent the dough, having passed through a space between the lip seal ring 101 and the sleeve 131, from penetrating into the main bearing 126.

[0064] Further, not only the dough but also high-temperature water or compressed air, which penetrates from the kneading container 182, may be prevented from penetrating into a space between the inner circumferential surface of the head seal body 111 and the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve 131.

[0065] The present invention has effects in that: by providing a lip seal ring having a plurality of seal ring wings which are integrally formed, the seal ring wings may be formed to have a larger thickness than that of a conventional seal ring wing, thereby improving sealing performance and extending the life of the lip seal ring, and the lip seal ring may be assembled to the bearing housing in a single process, thereby improving assembly productivity.

[0066] The present invention also has effects in that: by providing a head seal body mounted on the sleeve in front of the bearing housing to which the lip seal ring is connected, the lip seal ring may be isolated and prevented from coming into contact with the dough in the kneading container; and by providing a steam supply and discharge part which supplies steam, at a pressure level equal to the pressure of the kneading container, toward the kneading container to offset a pressure difference, the dough in the kneading container may be prevented from penetrating between the sleeve and the lip seal ring, thereby achieving excellent sealing performance, and preventing in advance deposition of scale of dough between the sleeve and the head seal body, and thus protecting the lip seal ring from the dough.

[0067] Further, the present invention has an effect in that by providing a screw groove formed at an outer circumferential surface at one side of the sleeve, even when the dough penetrates into a gap between the head seal body and the sleeve, the screw groove rotates along with the sleeve, so as to push the penetrating portion of the dough toward the kneading container, thereby maintaining the gap between the head seal body and the sleeve in a clean state.

[0068] Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.