Food Block Gripper Detection Using Ejector Flow Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gripper devices for cutting food bars often apply large forces, leading to damage or misidentification of soft food bars, disrupting the cutting process.

Innovation Solution

A gripper device with a product recognition system using an ejector connected to a flow meter to detect food bars through volume flow measurement, allowing precise detection and gripping with minimal force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a torque-based mechanical contact detection method is used to detect food bars, then the gripping mechanism can be triggered, but large forces act on the food bar causing damage or displacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidforce damage to food bar

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional torque-based mechanical contact detection system with a pneumatic detection system using an ejector and flow meter. The ejector generates a controlled air stream that interacts with the food bar, and the flow meter detects changes in air flow caused by the food bar's presence. This substitution eliminates direct mechanical contact during detection, preventing force damage while maintaining reliable detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces air as an intermediary medium between the detection device and the food bar. Instead of direct mechanical contact, the ejector projects air onto the food bar, and the flow meter detects the interaction through air flow changes. This intermediary approach allows detection without applying harmful forces to the food bar.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If mechanical contact detection is used, then the food bar can be detected for cutting, but soft and light food bars are pushed aside

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting process efficiencyVSAvoidforce applied to food bar

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based detection with a pneumatic detection system. The ejector projects a controlled air stream, and the flow meter detects food bar presence through air flow interference. This eliminates the pushing force problem that occurs with mechanical contact methods, allowing soft and light food bars to remain in position while enabling efficient detection and cutting process activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If traditional gripping mechanisms are used, then cutting can be performed, but soft food bars cannot always be detected even after optimization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting process continuityVSAvoiddetection capability for soft food bars

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact detection with pneumatic detection using an ejector and flow meter. The air stream from the ejector interacts with the food bar, and the flow meter detects even subtle changes in air flow caused by soft food bars. This provides superior detection precision for soft food bars compared to mechanical methods, ensuring continuous and reliable cutting process operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a controlled air stream from the ejector that exceeds the minimal force needed for detection but remains below the threshold that would damage or displace the food bar. This partial action approach enables reliable detection of soft food bars without causing the pushing aside problem associated with full mechanical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Enables reliable and fast gripping of both hard and soft food bars with reduced force, improving cutting efficiency and reducing damage.

Implementation Method 1

the product recognition device comprises a flow meter operatively connected to the ejector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVolume flow measurement:

Data Source

PatentEP3619014B1Gripping device for gripping blocks of food to be sliced, slicing device for blocks of food, method

Publication Date: 2025.11.19 GEA FOOD SOLUTIONS GERMANY GMBH

Figure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a gripping device (20) for gripping blocks of food (2) to be sliced, the gripping device (20) comprising a product-detecting device (1), the product-detecting device (1) having at least one ejector (3), characterized in that the product-detecting device (1) comprises a flowmeter (4) operatively connected to the ejector (3). The invention further relates to a slicing device for blocks of food (2), the slicing device comprising at least one gripping device (20). The invention further relates to a corresponding product-detecting device (1) and to a corresponding method.