Food Product Separating Element with Independent Motion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cutting food products on conveyor belts either interrupt the product flow for straight cuts, leading to inefficiencies, or result in sloping cuts due to the inability to control vertical and horizontal cutting speeds independently, which affects the cleanliness and appearance of the cut products.
Innovation Solution
A device and method where the separating element moves both in the transport direction and transversely to it, with independent control over both movements, allowing for precise cutting patterns and speeds to achieve a straight, clean cut without interrupting the product flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the conveyor belt is stopped to achieve a straight cut, then the cutting precision is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to interrupted product flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the conveyor belt movable rather than stationary, and by independently controlling the horizontal movement (with the product) and vertical movement (cutting motion) of the separating element. This allows the system to adapt its motion characteristics during the cutting process, achieving straight cuts while maintaining continuous product flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the motion parameters of the separating element by enabling independent control of horizontal and vertical velocities. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system achieves precise cutting patterns while maintaining continuous operation, resolving the contradiction between cutting precision and productivity.
2Productivity
If the separating element moves quickly through the strand without stopping, then the productivity is improved, but the cutting precision deteriorates resulting in sloping cuts
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the motion of the separating element during the cutting process. By independently controlling horizontal and vertical velocities, the system maintains high cutting speed while ensuring the cut remains straight, preventing the sloping cuts that occur with simple quick-pass methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces independent control in two dimensional directions: horizontal movement (along the transport direction) and vertical movement (cutting through the product). This dimensional independence allows the separating element to move quickly through the product while maintaining cutting precision, as each direction can be optimized separately.
3Productivity
If the knife is moved synchronously with the strand on a circular path, then the productivity is improved by continuous operation, but the cutting precision deteriorates because vertical cutting speed cannot be fast enough
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single circular motion path to independent two-dimensional motion control. The separating element can move horizontally with the product while independently moving vertically at high speed through the product. This dimensional separation allows continuous operation while achieving fast enough vertical cutting speed for clean cuts through fibrous and sticky products.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls the vertical cutting speed independently from the horizontal transport speed, allowing the vertical speed to be increased specifically when needed for clean cutting, while maintaining continuous horizontal motion for productivity.
4Productivity
If the strand is squeezed off while running on the conveyor belt, then the productivity is maintained, but the cutting precision deteriorates and the product appearance worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the product from the conveyor belt surface during the cutting operation by creating a gap or lifting the product. This removes the harmful contact between the product and the belt during cutting, preventing squeezing and deformation while maintaining continuous processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary space or mechanism (such as a gap in the conveyor belt or a lifting mechanism) that mediates between the continuous transport requirement and the need for contactless cutting, allowing the product to be cut without being squeezed by the belt.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for separating food products. To enable a straight cut at high cycle rates, the food product is transported in the transport direction by a transport device. The food product is cut, with a separating element moving in the transport direction and transversely to the transport direction, wherein the movement of the separating element transversely to the transport direction is controlled independently of its movement in the transport direction, and the food product does not rest on the transport device in the separation area.