Electromagnetic Gripper Actuation for Slicing Machines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Slicing machines in the food industry face challenges with complex and prone-to-failure pneumatic gripper systems, which can contaminate products and limit actuation speed, making them unsuitable for many applications.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an electromagnetically actuated claw drive unit in slicing machines, eliminating the need for pneumatic components, allowing for a simpler design, increased actuation speed, and reduced risk of contamination, while enabling precise control and force detection of gripper claws.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pneumatic cylinders are used to actuate gripper claws, then the gripper can hold product calibers, but the design becomes complex and the risk of contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripper reliabilityVSAvoidgripper design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the pneumatic mechanical system with an electromagnetic actuation system. The electromagnetic claw drive unit uses magnetic fields to actuate the gripper claws, eliminating the need for pneumatic cylinders, compressed air supply lines, and associated mechanical components. This substitution reduces design complexity while maintaining reliable gripping functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent explicitly eliminates the pneumatic system that was previously used. By removing pneumatic cylinders and compressed air supply infrastructure, the design achieves simplicity without compromising the ability to hold and transport product calibers through the electromagnetic actuation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Ease of operation

If pneumatic cylinders are used to actuate gripper claws, then the gripper can be actuated, but the risk of product contamination increases due to lubricant and compressed air leaks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripper actuationVSAvoidproduct contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnetic actuation system replaces pneumatic components that are prone to leaking lubricants and compressed air. The electromagnetic claw drive unit uses controlled magnetic fields to actuate gripper claws without requiring sealed pneumatic cylinders or compressed air supply, thereby eliminating the source of contamination while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If pneumatic cylinders are used to actuate gripper claws, then the gripper can hold product calibers, but the actuation speed is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripper reliabilityVSAvoidgripper actuation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnetic actuation system responds to electrical signals with rapid magnetic field generation and collapse, enabling much faster actuation speeds compared to pneumatic systems that require air pressure buildup and release. This substitution maintains reliable gripping while dramatically increasing the speed at which gripper claws can open and close.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If pneumatic supply lines and components are installed, then the gripper can be actuated, but the overall system complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripper actuationVSAvoidsystem assembly and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnetic claw drive unit eliminates the need for installing and maintaining pneumatic supply lines, compressed air filters, regulators, and lubricators. The electromagnetic system requires only electrical connections and control signals, significantly simplifying both the manufacturing assembly process and ongoing maintenance while preserving full actuation functionality.

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 simplifies the gripper design, enhances processing reliability by preventing leaks and contamination, and improves cycle time through faster actuation, allowing for more efficient and consistent slicing operations.

Implementation Method 1

the claw drive unit is configured as an electromagnetically actuated claw drive unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentUS20240399604A1Slicing machine, especially slicer

Publication Date: 2024.12.05 MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMULLER GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A slicing machine for slicing at least one product caliber into slices and for producing portions from the slices, includes a cutting unit with a blade, in particular a rotatable blade that is movable in a cutting plane, for cutting slices from the at least one product caliber, a feed unit for feeding the product calibers to the cutting unit along a feed direction, and a gripper unit with at least one gripper which is movable along the feed direction. The gripper unit comprises a claw drive unit by which gripper claws of the at least one gripper are displaceable between an engagement position in which the gripper claws hold the product caliber and a release position in which the gripper claws do not hold the product caliber. Furthermore, the claw drive unit is configured as an electromagnetically actuated claw drive unit.