Filling Assembly Mounting Unit for Sausage Clipping Machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sausage-shaped product manufacturing clipping machines face challenges in efficiently replacing filling tubes and brake bodies, leading to increased production downtime and wear on brake components due to complex and time-consuming replacement procedures.
Innovation Solution
A filling assembly with a mounting unit that allows relative movement between operating positions, enabling easy exchange of filling tubes and brake bodies, and includes a bearing device with a hinge and calotte-shaped adapter for pivoting, along with locking means and sensors for precise positioning, facilitating faster and more accessible replacements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the brake body is made of soft material to provide friction to the packaging casing, then the braking function is improved, but the wear resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The brake body is designed as a consumable component that is intentionally made from softer material to wear out over time. It is replaceable and intended to be discarded after a certain service life, allowing the use of softer materials that provide better friction without concern for long-term durability. The brake holder and other structural components are designed to last much longer, creating a deliberate disparity in service lives between components.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the filling tube and brake body are fixedly arranged on the clipping machine, then the operational stability is improved, but the replacement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: the filling tube assembly and the brake assembly, each with their own mounting mechanisms. The filling tube can be detached from the filling tube holder, and the brake body can be detached from the brake holder, allowing independent replacement of each component without affecting the other. This modular segmentation enables simple maintenance while maintaining stable operation during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting mechanisms incorporate movable elements such as clamps, clips, or quick-release fixtures that transition between locked (during operation) and unlocked (during replacement) states. This dynamic mounting approach allows the components to be firmly fixed during operation for stability, yet easily released when replacement is needed, reducing the complexity of the replacement procedure.
3Ease of operation
If the brake body is detachably arranged on the filling tube, then the replacement ease is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake body is extracted from the filling tube assembly as a separate, independently replaceable component mounted on its own holder. This separation allows the brake body to be removed and replaced without disturbing the filling tube or other components. The extraction of the brake body into its own mounting subsystem simplifies the replacement operation while the standardized interface keeps the added structural complexity minimal.
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 reduces operator workload and minimizes production downtime by simplifying the replacement process for filling tubes and brake bodies, extending the lifespan of brake components and improving overall manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The brake body is configured for providing a frictional force to the packaging casing at least while the packaging casing is being pulled-off the filling tube
Data Source
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AI summary
A filling assembly for being mounted to a clipping machine for producing sausage-shaped products comprising a filling tube (12) for filling flowable material into a packaging casing that is arrangeable onto filling tube (12); a casing brake unit (20) with a brake body (24) for being detachably and relatively fixable arranged on filling tube (12) in a braking position (B) for providing a resistance to the packaging casing against uncontrolled sliding-off filling tube (12); and a mounting unit (30) for mounting filling tube (12) and casing brake unit (20) to the clipping machine. Mounting unit (30) comprises a bearing device (32) for allowing a relative movement of filling tube (12) and casing brake unit (20) to the clipping machine, when mounting unit (30) is mounted with filling tube (12) and casing brake unit (20) to the clipping machine, between at least a production position (P) and an interchanging position (I). In production position (P) of filling tube (12) and casing brake unit (20), brake body (24) is in braking position (B) and filling tube (12) is arranged at the clipping machine for filling the packaging casing. In an operating position of filling tube (12) and casing brake unit (20), brake body (24) is movable along a filling tube axis (14) to a releasing position (R). In interchanging position (I) of filling tube (12) and casing brake unit (20), brake body (24) can obtain a releasing position (R), being arranged off filling tube (12).