Cutting Machine Carriage Automatic Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting machines in the food trade face challenges in ensuring a play-free carriage position for effective cutting and easy cleaning, which affects user-friendliness and cutting performance.
Innovation Solution
A cutting machine with an automatic fixing device that locks the carriage in the cutting position, featuring a pivotable carriage foot with an outer and inner foot connected via a pivot axis, a spring-biased latch for easy operation, and an adjustable centering device for precise alignment with the cutting blade.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the carriage is made pivotable for easy cleaning, then ease of operation is improved, but cutting precision deteriorates due to potential play in the carriage position
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage is designed with a pivotable carriage foot that can dynamically switch between two states: a locked cutting position during operation and a pivoted-out cleaning position during maintenance. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt its configuration based on the operational phase, providing both cutting precision and ease of cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage foot is divided into an outer carriage foot and an inner carriage foot that can move independently relative to each other. The inner carriage foot can pivot out while the outer carriage foot remains fixed, allowing the cleaning function to be separated from the cutting function. This segmentation enables the carriage to be cleaned without compromising the structural integrity needed for precise cutting.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual locking is required for the carriage, then cutting precision is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional manual steps
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device incorporates a spring-biased latch that automatically locks the carriage in the cutting position without requiring manual intervention. The spring force ensures the latch engages with the carriage foot's locking surface, creating a self-locking mechanism that maintains cutting precision while eliminating the need for operators to manually secure the carriage during each cutting operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-biased latch is pre-positioned and spring-loaded to automatically engage with the carriage foot as it approaches the cutting position. This preliminary action ensures the carriage is locked before cutting begins, eliminating the need for separate manual locking steps and ensuring precision is maintained from the moment the carriage reaches its operational position.
3Manufacturing precision
If the carriage position is adjustable for precision cutting, then cutting precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into a simple linear adjustment feature on the inner carriage foot that allows positional adjustment relative to the outer carriage foot. This segmented approach enables precise positioning without requiring complex multi-axis adjustment mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while achieving the needed cutting precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable carriage foot design serves multiple functions: it provides precise position adjustment for cutting precision, enables the pivotable cleaning function, and works with the automatic latch system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate adjustment mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving precise cutting results.
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
Ensures a secure, user-friendly operation with automatic locking of the carriage, facilitating easy cleaning and precise adjustment for optimal cutting results, eliminating the need for manual locking and enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the fixing device has a spring 54 in the locking direction biased bolt 52
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The cutting machine (1) has rotating circular blade (22) that is provided parallel to a carriage (3) for supporting the material-to-be cut, and is rotated in cutting plane of housing (2). The carriage is swiveled from cutting position to cleaning position. The carriage is connected with a carriage guide supported at machine housing over a saddle base (4). A fixing device automatically and mechanically locks the carriage in cutting position.