Adjustable Chain Loop Temporary Store for Food Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temporary stores in food production lines require a large minimum filling of products, leading to inefficiencies and increased dead time due to the need for filling and emptying a large number of product carriers, which results in wasted time and reduced production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A temporary store design with a single loop system where the front and rear chain loops are mechanically connected, allowing for dynamic adjustment of loop lengths based on inlet and outlet rates, reducing the minimum filling requirement and enabling faster cycle rates and higher storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional temporary store with fixed deflections is used, then the store can maintain structural stability, but the minimum filling requirement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the chain loop lengths adjustable through vertically movable carriages that can change the position of deflections. This allows the system to adapt the loop lengths dynamically based on operational needs, reducing the minimum filling requirement while maintaining structural integrity during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the continuous chain into two adjustable loops (front loop and rear loop) with independent length control. By dividing the system into separable segments with movable deflections, each loop can be optimized independently, reducing the overall minimum filling requirement compared to a fixed single-loop system.
2Quantity of substance
If the minimum filling is increased to ensure continuous operation, then the storage capacity increases, but the dead time for filling and emptying product carriers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable loop lengths allow the system to optimize storage capacity dynamically. The front loop can be extended to increase storage when needed, while the rear loop can be shortened to reduce the emptying cycle time, thus reducing dead time while maintaining adequate storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of loop length dynamically through movable carriages. By adjusting the length parameters of the front and rear loops independently, the system can optimize the balance between storage capacity and cycle time, reducing dead time for filling and emptying operations.
3Device complexity
If the chain loop lengths are fixed, then the system structure is simpler, but the adaptability to different packaging speeds decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability through vertically movable carriages that can change deflection positions. This allows the chain loop lengths to be adapted to different packaging speeds and production rates while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure based on the continuous chain principle.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable carriage mechanism serves multiple functions: it adjusts loop lengths for different speeds, maintains chain tension, and enables flexible configuration for various packaging machine arrangements. This multi-functionality increases adaptability without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The temporary store has circulating continuous chains on both sides of the product conveyor section, said continuous chains running through vertical chain loops via upper and lower deflections. Product carrier gondolas with product carriers are suspended on the chains, said product carriers being used to receive incoming products and convey the products to a product outlet. Each chain runs through an inlet-side and an outlet-side vertical loop. The upper deflections of the chain loops can be moved vertically in opposite directions.