Optical Seal Backing Assembly to Prevent Bagger Closure on Obstructions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bagging machines lack effective safety systems to prevent closure on obstructions during the sealing process, posing risks to operators and equipment.
Innovation Solution
A bagger safety system comprising a controller, a heating element, a light-emitting device, and a light-detecting device, along with a backing assembly that includes a seal backing bar and reflectors, which controls the movement of the seal backing bar to prevent closure on obstructions by ensuring an uninterrupted light beam is detected, thereby preventing the sealing process if an obstruction is detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a sealing process is implemented in bagging machines, then packaging efficiency is improved, but risk of closure on obstructions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light curtain safety system is activated before the sealing process begins. The system preliminarily checks for obstructions in the sealing area by detecting interruptions in the light beam, and only allows the sealing process to proceed when the area is confirmed clear, thus preventing harmful closure on obstructions while maintaining packaging efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
A light curtain acts as an intermediary safety mechanism between the sealing element and the packaging material. The light-emitting device and light-detecting device create an invisible protective barrier that mediates the interaction between the sealing process and potential obstructions, allowing the system to detect and respond to hazards without direct physical contact
2Reliability
If safety detection systems are added to bagging machines, then operator safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical safety detection systems with an optical detection system using light curtains. This substitution maintains high reliability for operator safety while reducing mechanical complexity, as the optical system has fewer moving parts and requires less maintenance compared to traditional mechanical sensors and switches
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 system effectively prevents the bagger device from closing on obstructions, ensuring operator safety and equipment protection by disengaging the sealing process when an obstruction is detected, thus preventing accidents and damage.
Implementation Method 1
Light emitted from the light-emitting device reflects off the first reflector to the second reflector and off the second reflector to the light-detecting device
Implementation Method 2
a heating element
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A bagger safety system includes a controller, a heating element, a light-emitting device, a light-detecting device and a backing assembly. The backing assembly includes a backing bar, a pair of reflectors and a seal backing element movably coupled to the backing bar by at least one mechanical force generating member so as to create a space between the seal backing element and the backing bar when no external force is applied to the mechanical force generating member. Light emitted from a light-emitting device reflects off the reflectors to the light-detecting device when no external force is applied to the mechanical force generating member. Movement of the seal backing element toward the backing bar prevents light emitted from the light-emitting device from reaching the light-detecting device and the controller controls movement of the backing assembly toward the heating element based on whether light from light-emitting device reaches the light-detecting device.