Food Product Feeder with Dynamic Velocity Control for Single-Item Discharge
Solution Overview
Problem
In the foodstuffs industry, existing weighing and sorting systems face challenges in delivering food products one at a time, leading to inefficiencies and product loss due to overlapping products being delivered simultaneously, which complicates achieving target weights and results in recirculation and wear on equipment.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for conveying and selectively discharging food products one at a time using a feeding system with operational modes adjusted by a determination unit and feeder, where the feeder's velocity is controlled based on the presence of products at the outlet end and in the receptacle, ensuring only one product is delivered at a time, utilizing a motor-driven screw conveyor and a pivotable flap for monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a motor-driven transport screw is used to convey product material portions, then gentle and accurate delivery of products is achieved, but multiple products may be delivered simultaneously when products are in overlapping relationship
Solution Approach 1:
The transport screw's rotational speed is dynamically adjusted based on the presence of products at the outlet end. When a product is detected at the outlet end, the rotational speed is reduced to prevent multiple products from being delivered simultaneously. This dynamic speed control resolves the contradiction by maintaining gentle and accurate delivery while preventing product overlap and subsequent loss.
Solution Approach 2:
A determination unit detects the presence of products at the outlet end and provides feedback to control the transport screw's operation. This feedback mechanism allows the system to respond to real-time conditions, reducing speed when products are present and preventing the delivery of multiple products simultaneously, thereby eliminating product loss while maintaining delivery accuracy.
2Productivity
If multiple products are delivered to a single receptacle, then the weighing system can process products, but the combination of products becomes difficult and may require disposal or recirculation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of product presence at the outlet end before products enter the receptacle. By detecting and responding to product presence in advance, the control system prevents multiple products from being delivered to the same receptacle, eliminating the need for subsequent disposal or recirculation operations and associated time losses.
3Productivity
If the feeder operates at high speed, then productivity is improved, but products may be delivered simultaneously when in overlapping relationship
Solution Approach 1:
The feeder operates at high speed during normal conditions to maximize productivity, but the rotational speed is dynamically reduced when products are detected at the outlet end. This dynamic speed adjustment allows the system to maintain high overall productivity while ensuring precise delivery control and preventing simultaneous delivery of multiple products.
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 minimizes product loss and wear by ensuring accurate delivery of individual products, optimizing the combination of products into packages of equal weight, thereby reducing time and maintenance costs while maintaining system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a motor-driven transport screw formed as a helically shaped rod positioned in an open trough for conveying the product material
Implementation Method 2
a determination unit located at the outlet end
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of conveying and selectively discharging food products by providing a feeding system. The feeding system (14) comprises an inlet end (20), an outlet end (22), a receptacle (24) below the outlet end, a determination unit at the outlet end (22) and a feeder (18) for conveying the food products from the inlet end to the outlet end. When no food product is present at the outlet or in the receptacle (24), the food products are conveyed at a first average velocity. When a food product is present at the outlet end (22) and no food product is present in the receptacle (24), the food products are conveyed at a second average velocity. The second average velocity is lower than the first average velocity. When the food product is leaving the outlet end or is received within the receptacle (24), the feeder (18) is stopped until the individual food product has left the receptacle.