Hydraulic Gripper Positioning in Multi-Track Slicing Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slicing machines struggle to handle product calibers of varying lengths and cutting times, requiring complex controls and separate drives to maintain uniform disc thickness without damaging grippers.
Innovation Solution
A slicing machine with a hydraulic cylinder unit between each gripper and the gripper slide, allowing for synchronized movement of grippers by locking or unlocking pressure medium connections, and using end position sensors to adjust travel distance based on cutting completion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If grippers are all attached to a gripper slide and moved synchronously, then the structure is simple and compact, but the grippers cannot move different distances relative to each other to handle calibers of different lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper system is segmented into multiple independent grippers (first gripper, second gripper, etc.), each capable of independent movement along the feed direction. This segmentation allows each gripper to be positioned independently according to the length of the caliber it handles, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The grippers are designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing them to move independently in the feed direction. The first gripper can remain stationary while the second gripper moves forward, or vice versa, depending on the cutting requirements. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to handle calibers of different lengths and cutting times effectively.
2Adaptability or versatility
If drive motors are added to each gripper to enable independent movement, then adaptability to different caliber lengths is improved, but the moving mass of the gripper carriage increases
Solution Approach 1:
A cable-driven mechanism serves as an intermediary to transmit driving force to the grippers. Instead of equipping each gripper with a heavy drive motor, a centralized drive system uses cables to pull the grippers forward independently. This significantly reduces the moving mass of the gripper carriage while maintaining the adaptability to position grippers at different locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical drive systems (motors, gearboxes) with a simpler cable-pulley mechanism. The driving force is transmitted through cables that can be routed along the gripper carriage, allowing independent gripper movement without adding significant weight to the moving components.
3Reliability
If grippers remain on completely cut calibers during subsequent cutting operations, then the already cut calibers are protected from damage, but the grippers interfere with the cutting of remaining calibers
Solution Approach 1:
The grippers are designed to be dynamically repositionable along the feed direction. After a caliber is completely cut, the corresponding gripper can remain stationary at its end position, while other grippers continue to move forward with the gripper carriage to perform subsequent cutting operations. This dynamic adjustment eliminates interference between grippers and active cutting operations while maintaining protection of completed calibers.
4Productivity
If the knife cuts through all calibers simultaneously, then productivity is maximized, but this is not possible when calibers have different lengths requiring different cutting times
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting process is segmented into multiple independent cutting operations, each associated with a specific gripper and caliber. The control system can initiate cutting operations at different times for different calibers based on their individual lengths and positions. This segmented approach allows the system to maintain high productivity by processing multiple calibers in parallel while adapting to different cutting time requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary positioning of grippers and calibers before cutting operations begin. Each gripper is positioned at the appropriate location along the feed direction based on the caliber length, allowing the knife to cut through calibers at optimally timed intervals. This preliminary arrangement enables efficient sequential cutting without sacrificing overall productivity.
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 efficient cutting of product calibers with different lengths and cutting times without complex controls or separate drives, maintaining uniform disc thickness and preventing gripper damage.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic cylinder unit with a lockable working chamber connection, in particular a pressure medium connection, which is variable in length in the feed direction, is located between each product gripper and the gripper slide
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a
AI summary
To enable the gripper whose caliber it holds to remain stationary during the cutting process, while the other grippers move forward to cut the other calibers they hold, a hydraulic cylinder unit (25.1 - 25.4) is arranged between each gripper and the gripper carriage. This unit is either depressurized on the track of the fully cut caliber or hydraulically connected to the other hydraulic cylinder units (25.1 - 25.4) to allow the transfer of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic cylinder unit (e.g., 25.4) of the fully cut caliber, which moves forward during further cutting, to the other hydraulic cylinder units (e.g., 25.1 - 25.3).