Packaging Evacuation Control via Temperature-Adjusted Vacuum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Packaging machines for heated products face issues where the set final vacuum can be too high, leading to boiling and contamination, resulting in rejected packaging due to sluggish control behavior during evacuation.
Innovation Solution
A method that automatically measures product temperature and calculates the target ultimate vacuum using a vapor pressure curve, adjusting the throttling degree or pumping speed to prevent overshooting, ensuring optimal packaging conditions and maximizing machine performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the final vacuum is set high to ensure maximum shelf life, then the packaging quality is improved, but the product starts to boil and contaminate the sealing tool
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the ultimate vacuum parameter based on measured product temperature. By calculating the target ultimate vacuum as a function of temperature using vapor pressure curves, the system optimizes the vacuum level to prevent boiling while ensuring shelf life. The throttling degree is also adjusted as a function of the calculated ultimate vacuum to control the evacuation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by measuring the actual product temperature and using this information to calculate and adjust the target ultimate vacuum. The controller continuously monitors temperature and adjusts the vacuum level accordingly, preventing boiling while maintaining optimal shelf life. This closed-loop control ensures the vacuum level adapts to temperature variations during operation.
2Productivity
If the evacuation speed is increased to maximize machine performance, then productivity is improved, but the ultimate vacuum is overshot causing product boiling
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the throttling degree during the evacuation process based on the calculated target ultimate vacuum and actual product temperature. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to evacuate quickly initially while preventing overshooting of the ultimate vacuum. The throttling degree is modified in real-time to balance speed and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system calculates the target ultimate vacuum in advance based on measured product temperature before initiating the evacuation process. This preliminary calculation allows the system to prepare the appropriate throttling degree and evacuation parameters, enabling fast evacuation without risking overshooting. The controller pre-determines the optimal evacuation trajectory based on temperature data.
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 method ensures maximum shelf life for packaged products by maintaining an optimal final vacuum, preventing boiling and contamination, while enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the packaging process.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature measuring device for measuring the product includes an infrared sensor that measures the temperature of products located in unsealed packaging containers without contact
Implementation Method 2
Evacuate to the calculated ultimate vacuum in a sealed chamber
Implementation Method 3
calculating a target ultimate vacuum (hereinafter mostly: ultimate vacuum) as a function of product temperature in relation to a vapor pressure curve for the temperature-sensed products
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The method involves detecting the product temperature in or in front of evacuating and sealing station (21) by temperature measuring device (36). The final vacuum is calculated as a function of product temperature with respect to vapor pressure curve for the products (35), and is evacuated in the sealing station. The throttling degree of throttle in the vacuum circuit (37) or suction capacity of vacuum pump (34) is calculated as a function of final vacuum. The calculated throttle degree on throttle or pumping speed at vacuum pump is set at the start or during evacuation process.