Deflection Means for Uniform Mass Distribution on Moving Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for distributing a predetermined mass of goods onto a product surface, such as pizza bases, face limitations in achieving uniform distribution and efficient cycle times due to constraints in conveying speed and material arrangement, leading to uneven coverage and longer processing times.
Innovation Solution
The method involves subdividing the product surface into target areas and using a deflection mechanism, such as a baffle plate or controlled air nozzles, to direct the material onto specific sections, ensuring each partial mass is deflected to its assigned target area, thereby achieving uniform distribution and potentially shorter cycle times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the conveying speed of the feed device is increased to reduce cycle time, then productivity is improved, but the material distribution becomes uneven and material may fall onto the conveyor belt
Solution Approach 1:
The product surface is divided into multiple target areas, and the material stream is segmented into partial masses that are directed to specific target areas. This segmentation allows independent control of material distribution to different regions, enabling high conveying speeds while maintaining uniform distribution across the entire product surface.
Solution Approach 2:
A deflection means is introduced as an intermediary element between the feed device and the product surface. This deflection means redirects the material stream from the discharge edge to specific target areas on the product surface, enabling precise material placement even at high conveying speeds where direct dropping would result in poor distribution.
2Productivity
If a high conveying speed is used to achieve shorter cycle times, then productivity increases, but material falls onto the conveyor belt causing waste and cleaning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection means acts as an intermediary that captures and redirects the material stream at high conveying speeds. By positioning the deflection means to receive material from the discharge edge and redirect it to target areas, it prevents material from missing the product surface and falling onto the conveyor belt, thereby reducing material waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses mass determination to calculate the required conveying length and coordinates the deflection means positioning based on the actual material distribution. This feedback mechanism ensures that material is consistently directed to the correct target areas, preventing loss even at high conveying speeds.
3Manufacturing precision
If the material is conveyed over a short distance to maintain precision, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the conveying length is limited and reduces flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection means serves as an intermediary that extends the effective reaching distance. Material can be conveyed over longer distances and still be accurately directed to target areas by the deflection means, which redirects the material stream to the appropriate location on the product surface, thereby increasing system flexibility without sacrificing precision.
4Productivity
If the feed device conveys material continuously to improve productivity, then productivity increases, but the mass distribution along the conveying length becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by assigning different target areas with specific partial masses along the conveying length. Each section of the continuous material stream is directed to a specific target area based on the required mass distribution, allowing the feed device to convey continuously while maintaining uniform overall distribution through localized control.
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 the most uniform possible distribution of the goods on the product surface, allowing for shorter processing times and improved efficiency in covering the surface with the desired mass, while preventing material from falling onto the conveyor belt.
Implementation Method 1
directing the goods falling freely in step e) against a controlled deflection means for the goods
Implementation Method 2
deflecting the goods with the aid of the deflection means through the guide shaft onto the product surface
Data Source
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AI summary
The procedure for distribution of a pre-determined discharge mass of a material during a discharge cycle on a product surface of an intermediate product, comprises conveying the material along a supply direction (ZR) by a supply device (5), conveying the intermediate product by a product conveyer (9) along a product conveying direction (PR) and determining the mass of the material conveying on the supply direction depend upon the interval of the material from a dropping edge (5AR) of the supply direction. The procedure for distribution of a pre-determined discharge mass of a material during a discharge cycle on a product surface of an intermediate product, comprises conveying the material along a supply direction (ZR) by a supply device (5), conveying the intermediate product by a product conveyer (9) along a product conveying direction (PR), determining the mass of the material conveying on the supply direction depend upon the interval of the material from a dropping edge (5AR) of the supply direction, directing a conveying length (FL) corresponding to the discharge mass in the discharge cycle from the supply direction, directing the discharge mass through a guiding duct from the surface of the intermediate product, creating a coordination between target surfaces (3PS i) of the product surface for the material and for distributing partial mass (m) of the discharge mass, directing the freely falling discharge mass against a driven redirecting unit for the material and redirecting the material with the help of redirecting unit through the guiding duct of the product surface. For each partial mass, a redirecting angle of the redirecting unit is determined such a way that the each partial mass is diverted on its accompanying target surface until the discharge mass is conveyed. In the creation of the coordination, the product surface is subdivided in product surface strips passing vertically to product conveying direction as target surface, and the discharge mass supplied by the supplying device is subdivided in partial mass or a conveying length is subdivided in segments of the partial mass corresponding to the discharge mass. Each partial mass is assigned a product surface strip as target surface or each product surface strip is assigned a partial mass of the discharge mass that overlies on a partial section (FL i) of the conveying length. The redirecting angle for redirecting a partial mass on a product surface strip is calculated with the help of impulse law or determined with the help of experimental determination. Each product surface strip is reduced to a line or a point passing diagonally to the product conveying direction for calculating the strip. The redirecting angle assigns in a given conveying speed of the supply device. All product surface strips are occupied uniformly and strong with the material. The product surface strip has a width of less than 1% or less than 0.1% that corresponds to a product length of the intermediate product in the product conveying direction. An independent claim is included for a device for distribution of a pre-determined discharge mass of a material during a discharge cycle on a product surface of an intermediate product.