Can Opener Auto-Stop Control for Repeated Cutting Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lateral-cut can openers lack an automatic stop mechanism, leading to repeated cutting and potential damage from sharp scrap iron and burrs if not manually stopped in time.

Innovation Solution

An automatic stop method and device for can openers that monitor rotation frequencies over preset times, calculating mean values to determine if repeated cutting is occurring, and automatically stop the blade when a predetermined difference in frequencies is reached, utilizing a control module, photo-interrupter, grating wheel, and bearing drive module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a lateral-cut can opener blade continuously rotates to cut the can edge, then the can opening process is continuous and efficient, but the motor cannot stop automatically causing repeated cutting and sharp burrs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecan opening efficiencyVSAvoidautomatic stop function

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a photo-interrupter to detect the rotation frequency of the bearing in real-time and feeds this information back to the control module. By comparing the current rotation frequency with the initial frequency, the system can determine when the cutting is complete and automatically stop the motor, preventing repeated cutting and burr formation while maintaining continuous operation during the actual cutting process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical switch mechanism used in top-cut can openers with an electronic detection system. Instead of using a mechanical switch that physically contacts components, the system uses a photo-interrupter to optically detect bearing rotation and an control module to electronically control motor stopping, achieving more reliable automatic stop function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the can opener blade stops immediately after one rotation, then repeated cutting is prevented, but the cutting process may be interrupted prematurely before complete can opening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of repeated cuttingVSAvoidcan opening completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent monitors the rotation frequency parameter of the bearing throughout the cutting process. By comparing the current rotation frequency with the initial rotation frequency and detecting when the frequency difference exceeds a preset threshold, the system determines the optimal stopping point. This ensures the blade continues cutting until the can edge is fully separated while preventing over-cutting that would cause burrs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If multiple rotation frequency measurements are taken and mean values calculated, then the accuracy of detecting repeated cutting is improved, but the processing time and computational burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation frequency detection accuracyVSAvoiddata acquisition and processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent takes multiple rotation frequency measurements within preset time intervals and calculates mean values to improve detection accuracy. By using statistical processing of multiple samples rather than single measurements, the system achieves more reliable detection of the actual cutting state while filtering out transient variations in rotation speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Prevents repeated cutting by timely stopping the can opener blade, improving the accuracy and timeliness of can opening, reducing errors and processing burdens, and avoiding damage from excessive cutting.

Implementation Method 1

a photo-interrupter, a grating wheel... the movement track of the grating wheel passes through a photoelectric detection region of the photo-interrupter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11827504B2Automatic stop method and device for can opener

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 X J ELECTRONICS SHENZHEN CO LTD

AI summary

The invention provides an automatic stop method and device for a can opener. When a first rotation frequency of a bearing in a first preset time is smaller than a second rotation frequency of the bearing in a subsequent second preset time in the process of opening a can by a can opener blade and a difference between the second and first frequency reaches a preset value, it is determined that repeated cutting occurs, and the blade will be stopped in time to avoid problems caused by repeated cutting. Meanwhile, mean values of multiple data acquired within the first and second preset time are calculated, avoiding the problems of an excessively high and long instant processing burden of one time of data acquisition and errors caused by data acquired once, improving the timeliness and accuracy of the first and second frequency, and can opening can be controlled more accurately.