Clipping Machine Housing With Side Access to the Closing Region
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clipping machines for sausage-shaped products face challenges in providing easy and secure access to the closing region for maintenance and cleaning, with restricted space for cleaning and maintenance operations due to small clearances between housing elements, leading to potential leakage and residue accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A clipping machine with a movable housing element in the side wall that provides access to the closing region from the side, allowing safe access for maintenance and cleaning, and includes a movable door element and sensor device to prevent machine operation when the housing element is open.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a housing covers the closing region to prevent operator access during operation, then safety is improved, but access for maintenance and cleaning becomes restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the housing element movable rather than fixed. The side wall portion is designed to be movable between a closed position (covering the closing region for safety) and an open position (providing access for maintenance and cleaning). This dynamic structure allows the housing to adapt its state based on operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between safety during operation and accessibility during maintenance.
2Device complexity
If small clearances are used between housing elements to compact the machine structure, then space utilization is improved, but cleaning and maintenance space becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The movable side wall portion allows the housing structure to dynamically expand when access is needed. During normal operation, the side wall remains in the closed position maintaining compact dimensions. During maintenance and cleaning, the side wall can be moved to an open position, creating sufficient space for operators to work on the closing region despite the otherwise compact design with small clearances between housing elements.
3Reliability
If the housing is made fixed and sealed to prevent leakage, then sealing performance is improved, but access for maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The housing employs a movable side wall portion that maintains sealing performance through a sealing arrangement between the movable and fixed portions. When the side wall is in the closed position, the sealing arrangement prevents leakage. When access is required, the side wall can be moved to an open position without compromising the overall sealing integrity of the housing structure, as the movable portion can be resealed after maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is segmented into fixed portions and a movable side wall portion. This segmentation allows different parts of the housing to serve different functions: the fixed portions maintain structural integrity and sealing, while the movable portion provides controlled access. The sealing arrangement specifically addresses the interface between segmented portions, ensuring that the division does not compromise sealing performance.
4Ease of operation
If a movable door element is added to provide access, then access capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable side wall portion serves multiple functions: it acts as a protective housing covering the closing region during operation, provides access for maintenance and cleaning when opened, and incorporates a sealing arrangement to prevent leakage. By making the side wall itself movable rather than adding a separate door element, the design achieves multi-functionality while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a clipping machine (CM) for producing sausage-shaped products, like sausages, containing a flowable filling material in a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing (M), the machine (CM) comprising filling means (10) configured to feed filling material into the casing (M), and further comprises closing means (20) arranged downstream the filling means (10), for closing the casing (M) in a closing region (CR). A housing (H) is provided, enclosing at least the closing region (CR), comprising at least a front wall (50) and a first side wall (70), wherein the front wall (50) is arranged at least substantially parallel to a longitudinally extending axis (A) of the filling means (10), and further comprises an opening (56) which can be closed by a movable door element (52), movable between an open position, allowing access to the closing region (CR) and a closed position, covering and blocking access to the closing region (CR). The side wall (70) faces the filling means (10) and further comprises a movable housing element (72), movable between at least an open position and a closed position, wherein the movable housing element (72) comprises an opening (74) for passing through the sausage-shaped products, and wherein the movable housing element (72) enables access from a side of the first side wall (70) to the closing region (CR) when in the open position; and wherein the movable housing element (72) covers and blocks access to the closing region (CR) when in the closed position.