Link Conveyor Vertical Transfer for Sausage Clipping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sausage processing systems are inefficient due to the need for manual handling and complex control systems, with sausages being conveyed along inclines that risk damage and requiring multiple conveyor devices, leading to high costs and handling effort.
Innovation Solution
A link conveyor system is integrated directly with the sausage clipping machine, allowing sausages to be transferred vertically and simplifying the process by eliminating the need for ramps and additional conveyor devices, with a single conveyor handling sausages to a smoking stick magazine, and featuring adaptable conveying elements and a thread feed mechanism for easy hanging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sausages are conveyed along an incline to a collection point, then the sausages can be transported from the filling tube to the smoking stick magazine, but the packaging material is at risk of damage and considerable handling effort is required
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying path is divided into multiple sections: a first conveying section conveys sausages horizontally from the filling tube, and a second conveying section conveys them vertically to the smoking stick magazine. This segmentation eliminates the need for incline conveyance, preventing packaging damage while maintaining transport efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A collection point is introduced as an intermediary element where sausages are temporarily gathered before being conveyed to the smoking stick magazine. This mediator allows for controlled transfer and orientation of sausages without requiring direct incline conveyance, reducing packaging damage risk.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple conveyor devices are arranged between the filling tube and the smoking stick magazine, then the sausages can be conveyed through different orientations, but the structure and control system become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple conveying functions (horizontal transport, vertical transport, orientation adjustment) are merged into a single integrated conveying device. This device includes both a first conveying section and a second conveying section that work together to achieve complex sausage positioning without requiring separate conveyor devices, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining versatility.
3Productivity
If sausages are transferred manually and rotated 90° for pushing onto smoke sticks, then the sausages can be loaded onto smoking sticks in vertical orientation, but the handling effort and time increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying device automatically performs the orientation and positioning of sausages without requiring manual intervention. The first conveying section transports sausages horizontally, and the second conveying section automatically transfers them to vertical orientation for loading onto smoking sticks, eliminating manual handling effort while maintaining high loading speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying device performs preliminary orientation and positioning of sausages before they reach the smoking stick magazine. By pre-orienting sausages in the correct vertical position during conveyance, the system eliminates the need for manual rotation and positioning at the loading stage, thereby increasing productivity while reducing manual effort.
Data Source
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AI summary
The system has a sausage clipping machine (10) and a sausage conveyer device (50), where the machine has a filling pipe (12) and the motor driven sausage conveyer device has a conveying unit (56). The conveying unit of belt conveyor (52) is reversibly movable into the region of the filling pipe from a resting position to an operation position. The unit has a catch section (56b), which projects in the longitudinal axis over the planes in the transport direction of the conveyor. A movement area (40) for the sausage product (W) is designed between the belt conveyor and the filling pipe. An independent claim is also included for a method for controlling a system from a sausage clipping machine and a sausage conveyer system.