Configurable Conveyor Assembly for Sliced Food Format Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveyor systems for sliced food products require lengthy and error-prone manual replacement for format changes, leading to potential damage and safety risks during the process.
Innovation Solution
A configurable assembly with a guide-and-slide mechanism allows for quick and automated swapping of conveyor units, reducing manual intervention and enabling efficient format changes by translating units between a working area and storage area using a motorized screw-and-nut transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual replacement of conveyor units is used for format changes, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple conveyor units are pre-positioned in a storage area ready for immediate installation. The system prepares alternate units in advance so that when format changes are required, a unit can be quickly swapped without manual assembly or disassembly operations, thereby reducing replacement time while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system is divided into modular, interchangeable units that can be independently replaced. Each unit is designed as a self-contained module with standardized interfaces, allowing quick swapping between units without affecting the overall system structure, thus reducing both time loss and operational complexity
2Device complexity
If manual replacement of conveyor units is used for format changes, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases due to errors and damage risks
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor units are designed with self-aligning features and standardized coupling mechanisms that enable automatic positioning and secure attachment. The modular design with predetermined interfaces eliminates manual assembly operations, thereby reducing human error and damage risks while maintaining system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Units are pre-assembled and pre-positioned in the storage area with all connection components ready. This preliminary preparation ensures that when a unit is swapped, it can be immediately installed without manual assembly, eliminating errors and damage risks associated with manual handling while keeping the system simple
3Adaptability or versatility
If complete removal and replacement of conveyor units is used for format changes, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple conveyor units designed for different product formats are pre-positioned in a storage area ready for immediate installation. When format changes are required, a unit can be quickly swapped without manual assembly or disassembly operations, thereby reducing replacement time while maintaining the system's ability to adapt to different formats
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system is divided into modular, interchangeable units with standardized interfaces that can be quickly swapped. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to different product formats by simply replacing entire modules rather than performing complex reconfiguration, thus improving adaptability while minimizing time loss
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
Facilitates rapid format changes without manual assembly/disassembly, minimizing errors and risks, while maintaining robustness and simplicity in design, allowing for efficient operation and reduced downtime.
Implementation Method 1
translating units between a working area and storage area using a motorized screw-and-nut transmission
Data Source
AI summary
A configurable assembly is provided for conveying products along a longitudinal direction; the assembly has a supporting structure and at least two conveyor units; at least one of said units is provided with at least two tracks which receive, in use, respective products and diverge from or converge towards each other along a lateral direction, proceeding longitudinally from an inlet to an outlet; the units are movable with respect to the supporting structure by the action of an actuator device between a working area and at least one storage area, so as to selectively arrange one of said units in the working area.