Automatic Blade and Conveyor Gap Adjustment Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual adjustment of conveyor belt gaps in high-speed portioning machines is unreliable, prone to human error, and time-consuming, leading to machine downtime and potential damage, especially in hygienic food processing environments.

Innovation Solution

An automatic blade and conveyor gap adjustment assembly that automatically adjusts the blade position and conveyor belt gaps, using a blade adjustment subassembly and a first automatic conveyor gap adjustment subassembly to precisely position the blade and conveyor belts relative to each other, eliminating the need for manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual adjustment of conveyor belt gaps is performed, then the operator can physically position the belts, but the process is unreliable and prone to human error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment reliabilityVSAvoidmanual adjustment difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically adjusts the conveyor belt gaps using sensors to detect blade position and actuators to move the belts, eliminating the need for manual intervention and thereby improving reliability while removing operational difficulty

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated control system that uses sensors to detect blade position and electronically controls actuators to position the conveyor belts, substituting human operation with an automated feedback-controlled mechanical system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If manual adjustment of conveyor belt gaps is performed, then the belts can be repositioned, but the process is time-consuming and increases machine downtime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveportioning speedVSAvoidadjustment downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors blade position and automatically adjusts conveyor belt gaps in real-time before portioning operations begin, ensuring optimal positioning is already in place and eliminating setup time during production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The automated adjustment system operates continuously during machine operation, maintaining optimal belt positioning without interruption to the portioning process, thereby eliminating downtime and ensuring continuous productive operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If manual adjustment of conveyor belt gaps is performed in a wet and messy environment, then the operator can access the belts, but the process is unsafe and prone to error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment accessibilityVSAvoidenvironmental hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment through automated sensors and actuators, eliminating the need for operators to physically access the wet and messy conveyor belt areas, thereby removing exposure to environmental hazards while maintaining adjustment capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces sensors and actuators as intermediary devices that detect blade position and adjust conveyor belts remotely, allowing the system to interact with the mechanical components without human operators needing to physically access hazardous areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If the conveyor belt gap is not properly positioned, then the machine can operate, but the blade could hit the belts causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachine operationVSAvoidmachine safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses sensors to continuously detect blade position and provides feedback to the control system, which automatically adjusts conveyor belt gaps to maintain safe positioning, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents blade-belt contact while maintaining continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9834384B2Gap adjustment assembly for blade portioner conveyors

Publication Date: 2017.12.05 JBT MAREL CORPORATION

AI summary

An automatic blade and conveyor gap adjustment assembly for a blade portioning conveyor machine having a blade assembly and a conveyor assembly with an infeed conveyor and an outfeed conveyor includes a blade adjustment assembly suitable for moving the blade assembly between at least first and second positions relative to the conveyor assembly and a first automatic conveyor gap adjustment assembly. The first automatic conveyor gap adjustment assembly is configured to define a first gap between an interior nose of the infeed conveyor and an interior nose of the outfeed conveyor to correspond to the first position of the blade assembly, and it is configured to define a second gap between the interior nose of the infeed conveyor and the interior nose of the outfeed conveyor to correspond to the second position of the blade assembly.