Modular Link Belt With Engagement Spikes for Stable Meat Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing positioning machines for cutting meat into portions face challenges in stably holding the meat during cutting, particularly with the front of the meat moving sideways, and are difficult to clean in a food-safe manner.
Innovation Solution
A modular link belt with transverse pins and links, including engagement links with rustproof steel spikes that engage into the meat for stable holding, combined with an upper guide belt and a rapier for enhanced stability and cleanliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rapier is used to push the product forwards, then the product is conveyed to the cutting blade, but the front of the product can still move sideways during cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The link belt incorporates specific links with protruding engagement elements (claws, hooks, or plates) at localized positions to engage with the product. These engagement elements are strategically positioned to grip the product surface, preventing sideways movement during cutting while allowing forward conveyance. This localized engagement solution addresses the positioning stability issue without requiring complete redesign of the entire conveyor system.
2Manufacturing precision
If an upper guide belt is used to press on the product, then cutting accuracy is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide belt function is merged with the existing link belt structure. Instead of adding a separate upper guide belt system, the link belt itself is designed with engagement elements that perform both conveyance and guiding functions. The alternating arrangement of engagement elements on adjacent sides of links provides lateral guidance while maintaining the simplicity of a single belt structure, thus improving cutting accuracy without significantly increasing system complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If hooks are used to hold the product on the link belt, then product stability is improved, but cleaning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement elements are designed with smooth, continuous surfaces without crevices or hard-to-reach areas where debris can accumulate. The engagement elements (claws, hooks, or plates) have streamlined geometries that allow cleaning fluids to flow over them easily, and surfaces that can be effectively wiped or sprayed. This design maintains product holding stability while ensuring the link belt remains cleanable for food-safe applications.
4Manufacturing precision
If releasably fastenable accessories are added to the link belt, then product holding capability is improved, but cleaning accessibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The link belt is designed as a modular system where engagement elements are integrated into individual links that can be independently attached or removed from the transverse pins. This segmentation allows for easy replacement of engagement elements if they become worn or contaminated beyond cleaning. The modular design maintains product holding capability while improving maintenance and cleaning accessibility compared to permanently fixed accessories.
5Ease of operation
If upright plates are used to push the product forwards, then product conveyance is achieved, but the product position in conveying direction is fixed which is not suitable for all product dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement elements on the link belt are designed to be flexible in their engagement with the product. Rather than fixed upright plates at specific positions, the link belt can engage products at various positions along its length depending on product dimensions. The alternating arrangement of engagement elements on adjacent sides allows the belt to adapt to different product widths and shapes, providing versatile conveyance for various product dimensions while maintaining the push function.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a modular link belt (2) for positioning machines (1) for conveying products in a conveying direction (T), comprising: - transverse pins (5) which extend virtually parallel to each other transversely with respect to the conveying direction (T); - links (7, 8), each comprising a bearing surface (11) and attachment bodies (9); wherein attachment bodies (9) are arranged alternatingly on adjacent sides of these links (7, 8) and a transverse pin (5) is fastened through these alternatingly arranged links (7, 8) in order to incorporate the links (7, 8) in the link belt (2) and wherein the links (7, 8) comprise engagement links (7) which comprise one or more engagement spikes (12) which project with respect to the bearing surface (11) in order to engage into the products.