Microwave Sausage Separation Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sausage separation devices face challenges in efficiently cutting sausage strands with varying natural or plastic casing thicknesses and elasticity, requiring precise and high-force cutting, and often necessitate the use of a separate cutting device.
Innovation Solution
A device employing two microwave applicators with separate transport devices, allowing controlled microwave radiation application to heat and embrittle the casing, causing it to break and separate automatically, eliminating the need for a cutting device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a cutting device is used to separate sausages by cutting through the twist, then separation is achieved, but the device complexity increases and requires precise high-force cutting for varying casing thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cutting system with a thermal field-based separation system. Microwave radiation is applied to heat the casing material at the twist location, causing it to become brittle and break automatically. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical cutting devices while achieving reliable separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the casing material from its normal elastic state to a brittle state through controlled heating. By adjusting microwave power and exposure time parameters, the casing transitions to a state where it can be easily broken, enabling automatic separation without mechanical cutting.
2Reliability
If high cutting force is applied to ensure complete severing of elastic casing, then separation is achieved, but the demand on the cutting device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies thermal energy to change the mechanical properties of the casing material. Heating the casing at the twist location reduces its elasticity and increases brittleness, thereby reducing the force required for separation. The casing naturally breaks when the thermal stress exceeds its reduced strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the elastic property of the casing, which initially resists cutting, into a benefit. The elastic casing, when heated, undergoes thermal expansion and stress that actually facilitates breaking. The same elasticity that made cutting difficult becomes the mechanism that enables automatic fracture after heating.
3Stability of the object's composition
If microwave radiation is applied continuously to the entire strand, then uniform treatment is achieved, but energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies microwave radiation locally only at the twist locations where separation is needed, rather than treating the entire sausage strand uniformly. Sensors detect twist positions and trigger microwave application only at those specific locations, significantly reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs sensor systems to detect the position of twists in the sausage strand and uses this feedback information to control microwave application. The system activates microwave radiation only when and where twists are detected, optimizing energy efficiency while ensuring complete treatment of the separation points.
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 device effectively separates sausages by inducing sufficient energy input to make the casing brittle, ensuring complete separation without manual intervention, while also slightly stiffening the sausage casing for better handling and processing.
Implementation Method 1
at least two microwave applicators (3, 4), each with at least one associated microwave generating device (22, 23, 24, 25) for generating microwave radiation to be supplied to the microwave applicators
Implementation Method 2
it is possible to thermally treat the strand of sausages by applying microwave radiation, ie to supply energy that leads to heating of the treated material... the energy input and the resulting heating result in a change in the material or the material structure... In the case of natural casings, a coagulation process begins... This coagulation in turn leads to embrittlement or hardening of the material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The handling device (1) has two microwave applicators (3,4) with an associated microwave generating unit for generating microwave radiation to be supplied by the microwave applicators. Each microwave applicator has a separated transport unit (5,6). Two superimposed peripheral conveyor belts (7,8,9,10) are provided for transporting a sausage stand by the microwave applicators. The microwave applicators are arranged behind one another with transport units. The microwave generating units are adjusted with respect to the power of generated microwave radiation.