Conveyor Mover Zone Control for Continuous Food Portion Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conveyor belt systems are mechanically complex, inflexible, and inefficient in handling individual food portions, leading to issues like portion damage and hygiene challenges, while existing transport devices with movable transport movers face backlog problems due to the 'fire and forget' operation principle, resulting in suboptimal portion flow.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that determine and adjust the number of transport movers in specific zones along a track system, allowing for real-time monitoring and regulation of transport mover density and distribution, ensuring a continuous and optimized portion flow by adjusting the operation of slicing and packaging devices based on data feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conveyor belt systems are used to transport portions, then portions can be transported from slicer to packaging device, but the system becomes mechanically complex and cannot influence individual portions
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is segmented into multiple independently controllable conveyor belts instead of a single continuous belt. Each conveyor belt can be controlled individually to influence specific portions, enabling selective handling while reducing overall mechanical complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system transitions from static, fixed-speed operation to dynamic, variable-speed control. Each conveyor belt section can adjust its speed independently based on portion requirements, allowing individual portion influence while maintaining system simplicity through software-based control
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple conveyor belt sections are used to handle portions, then portion handling flexibility increases, but transitions between sections cause portion damage and composition changes
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors detect portion position and state, providing feedback to the control system. The control system adjusts conveyor belt speeds to maintain optimal spacing and prevent damage during transitions, ensuring portion composition stability while preserving conveyor flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (conveyor belt speeds) dynamically based on portion requirements. By adjusting speed parameters rather than physical configuration, the system maintains portion integrity while achieving desired flexibility in handling different portion types
3Adaptability or versatility
If conveyor belts are used for transporting portions, then straight conveyor sections are achieved, but system flexibility and cleaning effort are limited and increased
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system uses flexible conveyor belts that can be easily removed and cleaned. The thin film structure allows for complete disassembly for thorough cleaning, maintaining hygiene standards while enabling flexible conveyor path configurations through modular belt sections
4Productivity
If transport movers are operated with fire and forget principle, then system operation is simplified, but backlog occurs and portion flow is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors transport mover positions and portion flow status, providing feedback to adjust mover speeds and spacing. This prevents backlog while maintaining simplified operation through automated control that responds to actual system conditions
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 approach ensures a continuous and optimized portion flow, minimizing backlog and overfilling, and allowing for flexible system operation, improving the handling of individual food portions and maintaining high hygiene standards.
Implementation Method 1
This system is based on a so-called LSM drive, i.e. a drive by linear synchronous motors, which is to be distinguished from a so-called linear induction motor (LIM drive). In contrast to a LIM drive, a magnetic field is not induced in an LSM drive by means of the so-called traveling electromagnetic field, but the magnetic field is provided by permanent magnets. If the rotor of the linear motor carries the permanent magnets and the stator of the linear motor generates the traveling electromagnetic field, then the drive principle of an LSM drive can be visualized in such a way that the transporter equipped with the permanent magnet is driven by the magnetic field moving along the stator over the transport route is pulled.
Implementation Method 2
the magnetic field is provided by permanent magnets. If the rotor of the linear motor carries the permanent magnets and the stator of the linear motor generates the traveling electromagnetic field, then the drive principle of an LSM drive can be visualized in such a way that the transporter equipped with the permanent magnet is driven by the magnetic field moving along the stator
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for moving portions, each comprising at least one slice cut off a food product, in particular by means of a slicing device, in particular a high-speed slicer, wherein a plurality of conveyor movers for transporting of the portions are individually moved in a track system along at least one pre-determined path in a transport direction. Each conveyor mover comprises at least one rotor interacting with the track system, and at least one carrier for portions that is mounted on the rotor. For one or several zones, each comprising a section along the path, data is detected comprising at least the number of conveyor movers present in the zone concerned. Based on the data obtained, at least one action is carried out on at least one functional point of the track system, or on a total system comprising the track system.