Movable Discharge Channels for Compact Food Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting machines for strand-shaped foods are inefficient in reducing machine length and space requirements, and often require multiple steps to remove cut food, which is cumbersome for operators.
Innovation Solution
The cutting machine features two or three movable laxative channels that can be switched between cutting and transport positions, allowing for efficient collection and removal of cut food slices in a single step, while reducing machine length and space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the discharge channel is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but the machine length is large and multiple removal steps are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge channel is made movable relative to the feed channel through a positioning mechanism that allows it to switch between a retracted position (reducing machine length) and an extended position (enabling slice collection). This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction by allowing the channel to change position based on operational requirements.
2Area of stationary object
If the discharge channel is movable to reduce machine length, then space requirements are reduced, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge channel is configured to move in a direction that extends the machine length rather than increasing footprint area. When retracted, the channel folds back along the feed channel's longitudinal axis, reducing the overall machine length while maintaining a compact footprint. This dimensional approach resolves the contradiction by trading length for area.
3Productivity
If multiple discharge channels are used for single-step removal, then operational efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge function is segmented into multiple independent channels that can operate separately or simultaneously. Each channel can be positioned independently to collect slices from different portions of the feed channel, enabling parallel slice collection and improving removal efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a further advantageous embodiment of the device, both channels each have an axis about which the respective angle can be changed. The food cutting device according to the invention has a rotating blade (1) and a bread channel intersecting the cutting plane of the blade (1), wherein the bread channel consists of a feed channel and at least one discharge channel (6, 7) which are separated from each other by a cutting gap. Both the feed channel and the at least one discharge channel (6, 7) have a base surface that supports the food from below during its transport and a side wall that supports the food laterally. According to the invention, the cutting machine has two or three discharge channels (6, 7) which are movably mounted relative to the feed channel. The discharge channels (6, 7) are movably mounted in a first direction and in a counter-direction opposite to the first direction.