Multi-Strand Closure Clip Feeding Guide for Precise Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clipping machines face issues with the accurate placement of closure clips due to positional changes of clip strands caused by tension and machine vibrations, leading to incorrect application in the die, especially when multiple strands are used.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a feeding device and a guide device with a holding unit that selectively feeds strands of closure clips to a clipping device, using guide tracks and holding units to maintain precise positioning, preventing unintended movement during the feeding process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple strands of closure clips are fed in parallel to the clipping device, then the productivity and versatility of the clipping machine is improved, but the risk of positional changes and incorrect placement of clips increases due to tension and vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The clipping device is divided into multiple independent feeding channels, each with its own guide device and feeding mechanism. This segmentation allows each strand to be controlled independently, maintaining precision while enabling parallel processing of multiple clips to improve productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
A guide device acts as an intermediary between the reel and the clipping device, providing a controlled path for the closure clip strands. The guide device includes guide tracks and holding units that mediate the tension and positioning, ensuring precise clip placement even when multiple strands are fed in parallel.
2Ease of operation
If the closure clip strand is kept under tension by winding on a reel, then the clips remain organized and ready for feeding, but the strand changes position unintentionally due to tension and vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The guide device is configured to preliminarily position and stabilize the closure clip strand before it reaches the clipping device. The guide tracks pre-align the strand, and holding units are positioned in advance to capture and secure the strand, preventing unintended position changes due to tension and vibrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide device serves as an intermediary that buffers the tension from the reel and transforms it into controlled, stable feeding. The guide tracks and holding units mediate between the tensioned strand and the clipping device, ensuring reliability and position stability.
3Manufacturing precision
If a holding unit is introduced to maintain strand position, then the manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding unit is merged with the guide device, combining the guiding and holding functions into a single integrated component. This reduces overall system complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision, as the guide device already provides the necessary structure for positioning and the holding unit simply adds a securing element.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for feeding closure clips to a clipping device of a clipping machine for producing sausage-shaped products, like sausages. The system comprises a feeding device for feeding at least a first and a second strand of closure clips towards said clipping device, and a guide device including at least a first and a second guide channel for guiding the at least first and second strand of closure clips towards a closing position of the clipping device of said clipping machine. The guide device includes a holding unit for holding at least one of the first and second strands of closure clips in its position while not being fed by the feeding device. The present invention further relates to a clipping machine for producing sausage-shaped products which includes a system for feeding closure clips to the clipping device of the clipping machine, a guide device for use in a clipping machine, and a method for producing sausage-shaped products.