Hybrid Food Part Batching for Fast and Accurate Target Weights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing systems face challenges in achieving high processing speed with accurate weight determination and precise positioning of food parts, leading to deviations from desired target weights and inefficient batching.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid batching system using a scale unit for initial weight determination with lower precision and a weighing station for precise weight measurement, combined with controllable transfer units to achieve accurate batching, allowing for high throughput and precise weight control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dynamic weighing is used for all items during high-speed processing, then processing speed is improved, but weight determination accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the weighing process into two distinct stages: rapid dynamic weighing for initial sorting and precise static weighing for final verification. This segmentation allows each weighing method to be optimized for its specific purpose, resolving the contradiction between speed and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary dynamic weighing and sorting before final static weighing. By pre-sorting items based on approximate weight, the system reduces the number of items requiring precise measurement, thereby maintaining high throughput while ensuring accuracy for critical decisions.
2Device complexity
If simple deflector wings are used for item distribution, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning precision and operational speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces static deflector wings with dynamic, controllable transfer units that can be precisely positioned and controlled. These active mechanisms provide both the complexity needed for precision and the speed required for high-throughput operation, overcoming the limitations of simple passive deflectors.
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
The system enables high-speed processing with minimal deviation from target weights, ensuring accurate and efficient grading and batching of food parts.
Implementation Method 1
a scale unit adapted to determine the weights of each food part
Implementation Method 2
a weighing station adapted to, preferably statically, weigh food parts with a second predetermined precision being greater than the first predetermined precision
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for grading/batching food parts includes a scale unit with a first predetermined precision, a plurality of batch bins to receive food parts, a weighing station to weigh food parts, which have not yet been transferred into the bins, with a second predetermined precision greater than the first predetermined precision and to associate the determined weights with the corresponding food part, a plurality of controllable second transfer units to selectively transfer particular ones of said food parts, which have been weighed into a selected one of the bins, and a control unit connected with the scale unit, weighing station, and first and second transfer units. The control unit controls the first and second transfer unit to assemble in the bins food parts so the total weight in each bin corresponds to a predetermined target weight. A method for grading/batching, and an apparatus/method for transferring food parts is also provided.