Filling Tube Centering Device with Coupled Pivoting Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filling tube centering devices require precise manual adjustment for different diameters and often necessitate moving the filling tube beyond the pull-up position, leading to inaccuracies and vibrations during sausage casing alignment, which can result in a non-concentric alignment and inefficient sausage filling processes.
Innovation Solution
A centering device with two opposing centering parts that maintain a consistent distance from their central axis, allowing for precise alignment of the filling tube with the casing slug, eliminating the need for manual adjustment and ensuring secure contact and exact alignment without moving the filling tube beyond the pull-up position, using a coupling element and pivoting centering elements with magnetic assistance for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a one-sided centering prism is used to center the filling tube, then the sleeve vibration is calmed and the spout is positioned centrally to the casing shirred, but the filling tube must be moved beyond the pull-up position and precise manual adjustment is required for different diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The centering device is divided into two separate centering parts (2a, 2b) that can be independently positioned and adjusted. Each centering part can be individually aligned and secured, allowing for precise centering without requiring the filling tube to be moved beyond the pull-up position. This segmentation enables easier adjustment for different tube diameters while maintaining high centering precision.
2Reliability
If the filling tube is moved beyond the pull-up position to rest securely on the centering part, then secure contact and exact alignment are achieved, but the process time increases and the filling tube is subjected to additional movement
Solution Approach 1:
The two centering parts (2a, 2b) are pre-positioned and secured at the pull-up position before the filling tube is inserted. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the filling tube is inserted, it is immediately and securely centered without requiring additional movement beyond the pull-up position. The centering parts are prepared in advance to receive and secure the filling tube exactly where it needs to be positioned.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment is performed to adapt the centering device to different filling tube diameters, then the device can accommodate various sizes, but the adjustment process is time-consuming and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The centering parts (2a, 2b) are designed to self-adjust to different filling tube diameters through their movable mounting on the carrier (4a, 4b). The centering elements can be independently positioned along the central axis to accommodate various tube sizes without requiring manual adjustment of the entire device. The coupling element (7) automatically maintains the correct distance between centering parts, enabling the device to adapt to different diameters quickly and accurately.
4Productivity
If the filling tube is moved axially or radially to the pulling position, then the casing can be pulled onto the stuffing tube, but vibrations and inaccuracies occur in the spout position
Solution Approach 1:
The centering function is merged with the pulling position mechanism by mounting both centering parts (2a, 2b) and the pulling mechanism on the same carrier (4a, 4b). This integration ensures that the filling tube is centered and pulled simultaneously in a single coordinated movement, eliminating vibrations and position inaccuracies that occur when centering and pulling are performed as separate operations. The coupling element (7) coordinates the movement of both centering parts to maintain alignment during the pulling process.
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 enables more precise positioning, increased process reliability, higher winding speed, and a minimal gap between the spout and the casing, ensuring a trouble-free sausage filling process across various filling tube diameters.
Implementation Method 1
a coupling element, in particular a mechanical coupling element, which couples the movement of the centering parts in the direction of the filling tube
Implementation Method 2
the centering parts each have a carrier and a centering element rotatably mounted in the carrier. A linear movement of the carrier towards the central axis M is thus possible, with a pivoting movement of the centering elements being able to take place at the same time
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The stuffing tube centering device (1) has two oppositely arranged centering elements (2a,2b,3a,3b) movable towards each other between which the stuffing tube is held and centered. A coupling element couples the motion of the centering element in the direction of the stuffing tube. The centering elements have a centering recess (21a,21b) at the front end, while the height of the centering recess is sectionally increased in a direction of a center axis of device, when viewing a longitudinal sectional perpendicular to the center axis. An independent claim is included for stuffing tube centering method.