Sausage Package Closing Device Spring-Yielding Tool

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing closing devices for forming sausage-shaped packaging can deform or collide due to clips getting jammed between tools, especially when the packaging bursts, as they lack a common guide for scissor blades, leading to excessive force and potential tool deformation.

Innovation Solution

The first tool is designed to be displaceable against a spring force, allowing it to yield if a clip is jammed, and a sensor detects this passive displacement to prevent tool deformation and collision, with a spring means, such as compression springs, providing a restoring force and a sensor for detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the first tool is made stationary and rigid to maintain precision during operation, then manufacturing precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates when clips get jammed between tools causing tool deformation or collision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool position precisionVSAvoidtool anti-deformation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The first tool is transformed from a completely stationary rigid structure to a dynamically adjustable structure that can passively displace when abnormal forces are detected. The spring means enable the tool to maintain its normal stationary position during precise operation while allowing controlled displacement when clips jam between tools, thus resolving the contradiction between precision and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Spring means are pre-installed on the first tool to provide cushioning protection before abnormal situations occur. These springs are designed to remain inactive during normal operation but automatically activate when excessive force is applied, preventing tool deformation and collision by absorbing the shock of jammed clips.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the first tool is made displaceable to prevent tool deformation when clips are jammed, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to potential position instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool protection capabilityVSAvoidtool position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The first tool employs a dynamic design where spring means provide minimal resistance during normal operation to maintain position stability, but automatically engage to provide support when abnormal forces occur. This dynamic characteristic allows the tool to maintain precision during normal use while providing reliability protection when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical characteristics of the first tool are changed by introducing spring means that alter the tool's stiffness parameter. The springs are designed with specific force characteristics that maintain near-rigid behavior during normal operation (preserving precision) but allow controlled displacement when abnormal forces exceed a threshold (providing reliability).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a sensor is added to detect tool displacement for preventing tool damage, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool damage preventionVSAvoidsystem component quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A sensor is integrated to detect the displacement of the first tool and provide feedback to the control unit. This feedback mechanism enables the control unit to monitor tool conditions in real-time and trigger protective actions when abnormal displacement occurs, thus preventing tool damage while adding only minimal complexity through a straightforward sensing and control loop.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical protection system is enhanced by replacing purely mechanical passive protection with an active sensing and control system. The sensor and control unit provide intelligent monitoring that can detect and respond to abnormal conditions, offering more reliable protection than mechanical design alone while adding manageable complexity through modern sensing technology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution prevents tool deformation and collision by allowing the first tool to give way when a clip is jammed, ensuring continuous operation and alerting the control system, thus maintaining device integrity and preventing damage.

Implementation Method 1

a spring means is provided which acts on this tool and by means of which a restoring force counteracting the displacement can be generated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2457445B1Closing device for forming sausage-shaped packages
Publication Date: 2014.06.18 TIPPER TIE ALPINA
  • EP2457445B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2457445B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP2457445B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The closure device (100) has a displacement device and a clip setting device for setting of closure clips. A stationary tool (4) is arranged in such a manner that it is displaced by a force (B) that is directed against a passage direction. A spring unit (30) is provided, by which the force is produced. The spring unit is acted on the stationary tool.