Foodstuff Loading System Vertical Lift Rotary Unloading
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for loading and unloading foodstuffs face challenges in ensuring correct positioning and preventing product bending or sticking during the unloading process, particularly with horizontal tool movements and sliding on support means.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a Polycord conveyor belt with a tool that moves in a vertical ascending direction to load products and features rotary members that rotate at the same speed as the product for unloading, preventing sliding and ensuring controlled drop-off to the final destination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tool approaches the product horizontally from one side to load it, then the loading operation is simpler, but the product may not be loaded correctly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of approaching the product horizontally from the side, the tool approaches from below and lifts the product vertically. This inversion of the loading direction ensures that the product is securely grasped from underneath, preventing incorrect loading while maintaining operational simplicity through a single vertical motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The loading operation transitions from horizontal approach to vertical lifting. By changing the dimension of approach from lateral (horizontal) to inferior-superior (vertical), the system achieves both operational simplicity and loading accuracy, as the vertical lift naturally positions the product correctly on the support means.
2Device complexity
If the tool moves horizontally to load the product, then the loading mechanism is simpler, but there is a risk that the product will not be disposed correctly on the support means
Solution Approach 1:
The loading mechanism inverts the approach direction from horizontal to vertical. The tool moves from below the product and lifts it upward, ensuring reliable positioning on the support means. This vertical lifting action simplifies the mechanism by eliminating complex horizontal positioning adjustments while guaranteeing correct product disposal.
3Ease of operation
If the product slides on the support means during unloading, then the unloading process is simpler, but the product may bend or stick and not unload correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The support means incorporates vibration to facilitate product unloading. By applying controlled vibrations, the product is gently encouraged to detach and slide off the support means without bending or sticking. This maintains operational simplicity while ensuring accurate unloading, as the vibration prevents harmful static friction and adhesion.
4Reliability
If the support means moves in a vertical ascending direction to load the product, then the loading is more reliable, but the unloading process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
To counteract the complexity introduced by vertical lifting for reliable loading, the system incorporates vibration during the unloading phase. The vibration mechanism gently promotes product detachment without requiring complex mechanical interventions, thus maintaining overall system simplicity while ensuring reliable loading through the vertical ascending motion.
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
Ensures correct loading and efficient unloading of foodstuffs by simplifying the loading process and preventing product bending or sticking, ensuring accurate and controlled delivery to packaging machines.
Implementation Method 1
The rotary members (33a, 33b) are adapted to rotate in relation to the support structure (31, 32) in order to unload the product (2), the rotary members (33a, 33b) comprising, when they rotate, a peripheral speed equal to the speed at which the product (2) moves during the unloading
Data Source
AI summary
A system for loading and unloading food products. In one implementation the system includes a transport device with a plurality of parallel belts upon which the products to be loaded move, and a tool adapted to load the products. The tool has a support adapted to pass through the gaps between the belts to load the product and to support the product when it is unloaded, and to perform the loading of the product moving it in an ascending vertical direction, the support lifting the product from the transport device. The support is adapted to rotate in relation to the support structure to unload the product, when they rotate, the support has a peripheral speed equal to the speed at which the product moves during the unloading.