Cheese Divider Length Measurement for Even Slicer Lane Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cheese dividers do not efficiently measure the length of cheese products, leading to uneven distribution across slicer lanes and potential incomplete slicing on some lanes while others are fully processed.
Innovation Solution
Integrate a cheese divider with lateral guides and measurement devices, such as sensors and actuators, to accurately measure the length of cheese products, ensuring even distribution and alignment across slicer lanes without the need for additional scanning modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate scanner module is used to measure cheese product length, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the overall length of the processing line increases and time is lost moving products to the measuring station
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the length measurement function with the existing cheese divider by integrating a sensor system into the divider structure. The sensor detects the length of cheese products as they pass through the divider, eliminating the need for a separate scanning station and reducing both the processing line length and measurement time.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement is performed in the temporal dimension rather than requiring a separate spatial station. The sensor captures length information as the product moves through the divider, converting a spatial measurement task into a time-based detection process that occurs during normal product flow.
2Measurement precision
If cheese products are conveyed slowly to a measuring station, then measurement accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement process occurs continuously as products move through the divider at normal speed. The sensor system captures length data without interrupting the product flow or requiring slowdowns, maintaining both measurement accuracy and production throughput.
3Ease of operation
If the number of product bars per cheese product does not correspond to the number of slicer lanes, then uneven distribution occurs, but adding measurement capability increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The cheese divider is enhanced with multi-functionality by integrating length measurement and distribution control capabilities into the existing device. The sensor system not only measures length but also provides data for optimizing lane distribution, making the divider a centralized control point for multiple functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the length measurement to automatically adjust the distribution of product bars across slicer lanes. The control system receives length data and uses it to balance the workload across lanes, ensuring even distribution without manual intervention.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a cheese divider with at least one drive unit and at least one cutting tool, wherein the drive unit is designed and configured to convey a cheese product, in particular a so-called Euroblock, in a product conveying direction through the at least one cutting tool and/or wherein the drive unit is designed and configured to guide the at least one cutting tool in a cutting direction through the cheese product to be cut, and wherein the cheese divider has a measuring device for measuring the length of the cheese product.Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for measuring the length of a cheese product, comprising the steps of: positioning the cheese product on a product conveying section of a cheese divider; and conveying the cheese product towards one or more cutting tools of the cheese divider, which are designed and configured to divide the cheese product along its longitudinal direction into several product bars. The length of the cheese product is measured during conveying and/or movement of the drive unit.