Magnetic Transport Mover for Sensitive Food Slices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanically sensitive objects, such as greasy sausage or cheese slices, stick to support surfaces, making transfer between processing stations and transport movers difficult, often requiring complex robotic handling.
Innovation Solution
A system with a deformable handling member that can displace the substrate without mechanically loading the object, allowing the handling element to reach under the object without detaching it from a rigid support, using a linear motor-driven transport system with a stator and rotor design for precise control and collision avoidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a robot or complex handling device is used to transfer objects, then the object can be handled carefully without mechanical stress, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical robotic handling systems with a magnetic field-based transport system. Objects are transported using magnetic forces between processing stations without mechanical contact during transfer, eliminating the need for complex robotic manipulators while protecting mechanically sensitive objects from stress and damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between processing stations for object transfer. Instead of direct mechanical contact between handling devices and objects, the magnetic field serves as a non-contact intermediary that enables precise positioning and transport while protecting the object from mechanical stress.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid support surface is used for the object, then the object is stable during transport, but the handling device cannot easily access under the object to grasp it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic support system where the support surface can change its properties during different phases of operation. During transport, the magnetic field provides stable suspension. During handling operations, the magnetic support can be adjusted or deactivated to allow handling devices easy access under the object from any direction, combining stability with operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the support system dynamically. The magnetic field strength and distribution can be adjusted based on operational requirements - maintaining strong magnetic support during transport for stability, and reducing or redistributing magnetic forces during handling operations to enable easy object access and manipulation.
3Productivity
If the object is transferred from transport mover to processing station, then the production flow continues, but complex robotic movements are required to remove the object from the transport mover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical robotic movements for object removal with a magnetic field-based release mechanism. Objects are held on the transport mover by magnetic forces and can be easily transferred to processing stations by adjusting magnetic field distribution, eliminating the need for complex robotic manipulators while maintaining continuous production flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the transport system to perform its own transfer function without external complex handling devices. The magnetic field system inherently provides both transport and transfer capabilities - objects are automatically positioned and transferred between transport mover and processing station through magnetic field control, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating additional complex equipment.
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
Simplifies the transfer process by reducing the need for complex robotic movements, enabling efficient and precise handling of objects from or to transport movers without mechanical impairment, allowing for flexible alignment and easy cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
The drive for the transport mover is designed as a linear motor, in particular as a linear synchronous motor or a linear induction motor
Implementation Method 2
the transport mover equipped with the permanent magnet is pulled along the transport path by the magnetic field moving along the stator
Implementation Method 3
the magnetic field is provided by permanent magnets. If the rotor of the linear motor carries the permanent magnets and the stator of the linear motor generates the traveling electromagnetic field
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for moving objects (10), in particular portions comprising at least one slice each of a food product, in particular by means of a slicing device, in particular a high-speed slicer, comprising a plurality of individually movable transport movers (12) for at least one object (10) each, comprising a track system (14) for the transport movers (12) in which the transport movers (12) are movable along at least one predetermined track in a transport direction, and comprising a control device for controlling the movements of the transport movers (12) in the track system (14), wherein the transport movers (12) each comprise at least one runner (18) cooperating with the track system (14) and at least one carrier (20) attached to the runner for at least one object (10).wherein at least one support (20) has a non-rigid base (22) for the object (10) or is designed as a non-rigid base (22) for the object (10), wherein the object (10) rests on the base (22) either directly or indirectly via an intermediate element, in particular a rigid one, during transport.