Deep-Frozen Food Shredder Tool Detection for Safe Automatic Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for shredding deep-frozen food products in block form face challenges with manual and unsafe coupling/uncoupling of knives, potential tool misalignment, and risk of injury, as well as hygienic and time-consuming operation.
Innovation Solution
A device with a tool that can be automatically coupled and uncoupled from a shaft without tools, using a snap-in or magnetic connection, and equipped with a tool detection system to ensure safe and hygienic operation, featuring a Hall sensor to differentiate magnetic field strengths for intended tool positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual coupling and uncoupling of the knife to the blade shaft is used, then the device structure remains simple, but the operation time increases and safety risks arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical coupling with an automatic magnetic coupling system. The magnetic field automatically attracts and secures the knife to the blade shaft when the shaft is inserted into the container, eliminating the need for manual operation while keeping the mechanical structure simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism serves itself through magnetic attraction. When the blade shaft is inserted into the container, the magnetic field automatically couples the knife to the shaft without requiring external manual intervention, and automatically uncouples when withdrawn.
2Productivity
If the knife is automatically coupled to the blade shaft, then operation time is reduced, but the risk of misalignment and crash increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a tool detection device with a Hall sensor that provides feedback on the knife's position relative to the blade shaft. The control unit receives this feedback and can prevent operation if misalignment is detected, ensuring reliable positioning while maintaining automatic coupling speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling performs preliminary alignment and securing of the knife to the blade shaft before the shredding operation begins. The detection device then verifies the positioning is correct before allowing the process to start.
3Ease of operation
If manual uncoupling of the knife is required, then safety devices are needed, but the device complexity and hygiene requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical uncoupling with automatic magnetic decoupling. When the blade shaft is withdrawn from the container, the magnetic field automatically releases the knife, eliminating the need for manual intervention and associated safety risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling system automatically manages both coupling and uncoupling operations based on the position of the blade shaft, serving the safety function without requiring additional safety devices or manual operations.
4Productivity
If the knife can be provided with the container, then product change time is reduced, but automatic coupling reliability must be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The Hall sensor provides real-time feedback on the knife's position relative to the blade shaft during the coupling process. The control unit uses this feedback to verify successful coupling before allowing operation, ensuring reliability while maintaining fast product change capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling system provides reliable automatic coupling when the blade shaft is inserted into the container, enabling the knife to be pre-positioned with the container for rapid product changes without compromising coupling reliability.
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 fast, safe, and hygienic operation by ensuring the tool is correctly coupled before use, reducing the risk of injury and tool misalignment, and allowing for efficient shredding of deep-frozen food products.
Implementation Method 1
different characteristic magnetic field strengths can be distinguished, in particular by means of a Hall sensor with associated evaluation electronics
Implementation Method 2
The tool abuts axially against the end of the shaft and is thereby held in a force-locking manner at the end of the shaft by a magnet arranged in the blade shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A device for shredding deep-frozen food products provided in block form comprises a tool coupled to one end of a rotatable shaft which rotates the tool about an axis of rotation and advances the tool along the axis of rotation in the direction towards the block, thereby scraping layers off the block. The tool can be uncoupled from and recoupled to the end of the shaft without using a tool. When the tool is coupled to the end of the shaft it axially abuts the shaft's end and is thereby held in a force-locking manner on the end of the shaft for the transmission of drive forces from the shaft to the tool. The device includes a tool detection device to determine whether a tool is arranged on the end of the shaft as intended so that operation can occur only when the tool is connected as intended.