Food Processing Device Common Pivot Axis Removal Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing devices face inefficiencies in the removal and delivery of food products for processing, particularly in terms of complexity, cost, hygiene, and control optimization, as they often require separate mechanisms for removal and delivery that are not easily integrated or simplified.
Innovation Solution
A food processing device with a common transverse conveyor pivot axis for both removal and delivery means, allowing these mechanisms to pivot and overlap, creating a compact design that simplifies control and enhances hygiene by enabling efficient coupling of removal and delivery processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate mechanisms are used for removal and delivery of food products, then functional reliability is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the removal means and delivery means into a single integrated mechanism that shares a common pivot axis. The removal means and delivery means are positioned adjacent to each other and rotate about the same vertical axis, allowing one mechanism to perform both removal of unprocessed products and delivery of processed products. This merging reduces the number of separate mechanisms while maintaining functional reliability through coordinated operation of the combined system.
Solution Approach 2:
The common pivot axis mechanism serves multiple functions: the removal means uses the pivot mechanism to transfer products from the conveyor to the processing station, while the delivery means uses the same pivot mechanism to return processed products to the conveyor. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate removal and delivery mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability through a unified structural platform.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate mechanisms are used for removal and delivery, then operational independence is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the removal and delivery mechanisms into a single pivot-based system, the patent reduces the number of components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and maintained. The shared pivot axis, support structure, and control system lower manufacturing costs while operational independence is preserved through independent control of the removal and delivery functions via the common mechanism.
3Reliability
If separate mechanisms are used for removal and delivery, then functional separation is maintained, but hygiene and cleaning efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated pivot mechanism reduces the number of separate components and junctions that could potentially harbor contaminants. With a unified structure, there are fewer gaps and interfaces between separate mechanisms, simplifying cleaning procedures and improving hygiene reliability. The common pivot axis design allows for more straightforward sanitation of the entire removal/delivery assembly.
4Device complexity
If a compact design with shared pivot axis is used, then device complexity is reduced, but control precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates control devices that monitor the position and operation of the removal means and delivery means. Feedback mechanisms detect the state of the pivot mechanism and adjust operations accordingly, ensuring precise control despite the integrated design. This allows the system to maintain control precision while benefiting from the simplified structure of the shared pivot axis mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
A food processing device (1) comprises a main conveying path (20), at least one processing station (3) having a removal means (41), a processing area (31) and a discharge means (42), and a delivery path (22) for food products (9). The removal means (41) removes food products (9, 91) to be processed from a removal section (411) of the main conveying path (20). The discharge means (42) transfers processed food products (9, 92) to a discharge section (421) of the delivery path (22). The device is equipped with a transverse conveying means (4) comprising a pivoting axis (50) that is common to the removal means (41) and the discharge means (42). The removal means (41) and the discharge means (42) can be pivoted back and forth about the pivoting axis (50) of the common transverse conveying means in order to remove or discharge the food products (9, 91, 92 ). A discharge buffer section (45) is associated with the discharge means (42). The removal means (41) covers the removal section (411) and the discharge means (42) covers the discharge buffer section (45). Said food processing device (1) allows, in particular, a method for processing food products (9) conveyed in a product stream along a main conveying path (20) to be carried out in such a way that a removal means (41) and a discharge means (42) are moved back and forth about a common pivoting axis (50) of a transverse conveying means in order to carry out the removal conveying process and the discharge conveying process, processed food products (9, 92) being transferred to a discharge buffer section (45), from which they are fed to a delivery path (22) by means of said discharge conveying process.