Method for grasping a row of multiple blocks of frozen food originating from a plate freezer, and various uses thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for unloading frozen food blocks from vertical plate freezers are time-consuming and prone to errors due to the 'Domino Effect' when blocks are not properly aligned, and require expensive systems or manual handling, which can lead to uneven pinching and damage.
Innovation Solution
A clamp with two grasping elements that extend along the opposing lateral edges of the row of blocks, featuring multiple individually movable pinching elements to ensure even pinching, reducing the risk of bending and accommodating variations in block dimensions, allowing for efficient and safe unloading without the need for fitting panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single continuous grasping element is used to clamp the row of blocks, then the device structure is simple, but the pinching pressure is uneven causing blocks to be crushed or inadequately grasped
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous grasping element is divided into multiple discrete pinching elements (first pinching element, second pinching element, etc.) that can independently contact different blocks. This segmentation allows each pinching element to apply pressure locally without being constrained by the rigidity of a long continuous beam, thereby achieving even pinching across all blocks while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The pinching elements are designed to be individually movable with respect to the grasping element in the pinching direction. This dynamic capability allows each pinching element to independently adjust its position and apply appropriate pinching force to blocks of varying dimensions, ensuring even pinching pressure distribution along the entire row of blocks.
2Ease of manufacture
If blocks are moved until contiguous without filling plates, then the system cost is reduced, but the process is time-consuming and prone to the Domino Effect
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is designed to simultaneously grasp multiple blocks at their initial positions in the freezer pockets without requiring them to be moved into contiguous contact first. The multiple pinching elements can independently contact and secure each block individually, preventing the Domino Effect during the grasping process and enabling reliable unloading without filling plates or complex alignment procedures.
3Reliability
If a belt system with filling plates is used to prevent the Domino Effect, then the reliability of block transport is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the filling plates and complex belt transport system from the unloading mechanism. Instead, it uses a simplified clamp with multiple independently movable pinching elements that can directly grasp and lift blocks from their positions in the freezer pockets, achieving reliable transport without the complexity of additional mechanical components.
4Reliability
If manual positioning of filling plates is performed, then the blocks can be securely clamped, but the unloading process becomes labor-intensive and slow
Solution Approach 1:
The pinching elements are designed to automatically contact and adapt to the blocks without requiring manual positioning of filling plates. The individually movable pinching elements self-adjust to the dimensions and positions of the blocks, enabling secure clamping through automated operation that increases unloading speed while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for grasping a row of multiple separate blocks of frozen food originating from a plate freezer, the row extending in a longitudinal direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the plate freezer, includes the steps of grasping the row of blocks along its opposing lateral edges by closing a clamp (1) having two grasping elements (2, 20) that extend along the opposing lateral edges of the row, wherein at least one of the grasping elements along its length includes multiple separate pinching elements (4, 40), each element for pinching one or more of the blocks, the pinching elements being individually movable with respect to the at least one grasping element in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of this grasping element, the method further including adjusting the lateral position of each pinching element when closing the clamp, by individually moving each pinching element.