Food Feeding Lifting Device with Load-Adaptive Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing machine lifting devices require constant operator intervention for safe downward movement, leading to non-productive waiting times and increased risk of injury or damage due to excessive lifting power, even when containers are partially full.
Innovation Solution
A device with a measuring system to detect food quantity, adjusting drive power and speed accordingly, and a collision detection system to enable independent downward movement without 'dead man's control, reducing energy consumption and safety risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lifting device operates with maximum lifting force (>3000 N) to ensure safety, then safety is improved, but energy consumption increases and the risk of injury or damage increases when containers are partially full
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device transitions from static maximum force operation to dynamic force adjustment based on real-time load detection. The control unit continuously monitors the actual load and adjusts the lifting force accordingly, providing maximum force only when needed while reducing force when the container is partially full, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
A load detection system provides real-time feedback to the control unit about the actual weight being lifted. This feedback loop enables the control unit to adjust the lifting force dynamically, ensuring safety through adequate force while avoiding excessive energy consumption and injury risk associated with always operating at maximum capacity
2Reliability
If the operator must constantly press a button for dead man's control during downward movement, then safety is improved, but productivity decreases due to non-productive waiting times
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device becomes self-monitoring through integrated load detection and collision detection systems. The control unit automatically monitors downward movement, detects collisions, and stops the device when necessary, eliminating the need for continuous operator intervention while maintaining safety, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and productivity
3Reliability
If the operator waits to ensure the hopper is sufficiently empty before loading, then safety is improved by preventing spills, but productivity decreases due to unnecessary waiting times
Solution Approach 1:
The load detection system provides advance information about the container's contents before the loading operation begins. This preliminary information allows the control unit to plan and execute the loading process optimally, eliminating unnecessary waiting times while ensuring safe operation by knowing the load characteristics in advance
4Reliability
If the lifting device provides maximum lifting force reserve, then safety is improved, but the risk of injury to persons or damage to objects increases due to excessive power
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device dynamically adjusts its lifting force based on real-time load detection rather than operating with a fixed maximum force reserve. The control unit monitors the actual load and provides only the necessary lifting force plus a minimal safety margin, eliminating the excessive power reserve that creates injury and damage risks while maintaining adequate safety
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time load feedback enables the control unit to match the lifting force to the actual requirements. This feedback mechanism ensures that sufficient force is available for safety while preventing the excessive force reserve that creates harmful effects on persons and objects
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for feeding a food processing machine, in particular a filling machine or a cutter, with food, comprising: a container for receiving the food, a lifting device by means of which the container can be moved upwards, and a drive for the lifting device. According to the invention, the device has a measuring device for determining the quantity of food in the container.