Mincing Machine Safety Device Automatic Electrical Disconnection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mincing machines pose safety risks during maintenance and cleaning operations due to potential sudden activation of rotating blades, and current methods for insulation from electrical supply are not fully efficient, necessitating complete disconnection for safety compliance.

Innovation Solution

An automated safety device with a linear mechanized movement allows for simple pressure-activated connection and insulation of the electrical supply at the mincing mouth, using a rod and elastic device to ensure safe disconnection during maintenance and automatic reconnection upon completion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mincing machine is disconnected from electrical supply during maintenance, then operator safety is improved, but operational efficiency deteriorates due to manual disconnection requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator safetyVSAvoidmaintenance efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically disconnects and reconnects electrical supply without operator intervention. The microswitch mechanism self-activates when the mincing mouth is removed, cutting power automatically, and self-reconnects when the mouth is reinstalled, eliminating the need for manual disconnection while ensuring operator safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical disconnection action is performed in advance of the actual maintenance work. As soon as the mincing mouth begins to be removed, the rod triggers the microswitch to cut power before the operator fully disassembles the unit, preventing any risk of accidental activation during the maintenance process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the mincing mouth is easily removed for cleaning, then ease of operation is improved, but risk of accidental activation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisassembly convenienceVSAvoidaccidental activation risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rod acts as an intermediary element between the mincing mouth and the electrical supply system. When the mouth is removed, the rod moves and triggers the microswitch, mediating the connection between mechanical disassembly and electrical disconnection to prevent accidental activation while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by automatically cutting electrical power as soon as the mincing mouth begins to be removed. This counteracts the potential harmful effect of accidental blade activation before it can occur, allowing operators to work safely on exposed components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If automated safety device is added to mincing machine, then operator safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical safetyVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The safety mechanism is merged with the existing mincing mouth assembly. The rod is integrated into the mincing mouth structure, and the microswitch is combined with the electrical supply system, creating a unified safety device that leverages existing components rather than adding separate complex systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The safety device uses simple, inexpensive components such as a basic rod and a standard microswitch. These are straightforward mechanical and electrical elements that are easy to manufacture, install, and replace, avoiding the need for complex electronic control systems or expensive safety mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 safe and efficient maintenance and cleaning operations by automatically disconnecting the electrical supply during maintenance, reducing operator risk and ensuring compliance with safety regulations while maintaining reliable and cost-effective operation.

Implementation Method 1

unspecified elastic device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2471601B1Automated safety device for mincing machines
Publication Date: 2015.07.29 LA FELSINEA
  • EP2471601B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1A
  • EP2471601B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The present invention concerns an automated safety device of the mincing mouth of a mincing machine (1) comprising a triggering device (15) of an electrical supply circuit of the mincing device, a mincing body (2) and a ring nut (18), screwed at the free end of the mincing body (2); a mechanical connection is provided between the ring nut (18) and the triggering device (15), suitable to transmit the movement of the nut ring (18) on the triggering device (15), from a first use position to a second maintenance position.