Bread Slicer Support Frame Monolithic Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automated bread slicers face issues due to imbalanced and unevenly assembled support frames, leading to vibrations and deformation under the tension of cutting blades, which affects the slicing quality and stability of the device.

Innovation Solution

The support frames are constructed from two monolithic rectangular rigid elements with complementary shapes, ensuring a correct rectangular structure and even cohesion, enhancing the rigidity and stability under blade tension.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If support frames are assembled from four separate individual sections by welding, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates leading to imbalanced rectangular structures and vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidrectangular structure accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges four separate welded sections into two monolithic rigid elements that are assembled together. Each monolithic element is manufactured as a single piece maintaining precise rectangular geometry, eliminating the positioning errors inherent in welding four separate sections. This combines the manufacturing simplicity of modular assembly with the precision of monolithic construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If four separate sections are welded together to form support frames, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to unequal cohesion and frame deformation under blade tension

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidframe cohesion and stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines four separate welded sections into two monolithic rigid elements, eliminating welding joints and their associated cohesion variability. Each monolithic element maintains uniform structural integrity throughout, ensuring reliable performance under the several-ton loads generated by tensioned cutting blades.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If support frames are made from separate welded sections, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the rigidity deteriorates under the tension of cutting blades causing frame deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidframe rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges four separate sections into two monolithic rigid elements, eliminating weak points at welding joints. The continuous monolithic structure provides superior rigidity and resistance to deformation under the several-ton loads generated by tensioned cutting blades, while still allowing for practical assembly of the complete frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2533952B1Device for the automatic slicing of bread with an improved frame for supporting the knifes
Publication Date: 2014.01.08 SA JAC NV
  • EP2533952B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2533952B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2533952B1 patent drawingFigure 2c

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for the automated slicing of bread, including at least a first assembly (4) of bread cutting blades and at least one first supporting frame (5) for said blade assembly, each supporting frame having a substantially rectangular shape and including two longitudinal members arranged substantially parallel to each other and two transverse members arranged substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the two longitudinal elements. Each frame consists of a first (5a) and a second (5b) substantially rectangular single-piece rigid elements assembled together, each rigid element including a portion of each longitudinal member and of each transverse member of the frame having a shape complementary to that of a homologous portion of the other rigid element of said frame and being arranged so that said rigid elements impart a three-dimensional structure for said frame together. Such a frame has a correct rectangular shape and does not include cohesion irregularities between the members thereof, unlike frames of the prior art, and is therefore more stable and less subject to deformation.