Pasta Transfer Device Pendulum Receptacle Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transfer devices for long pasta sticks face collisions when conveying in opposite directions, leading to reduced throughput and economic inefficiencies due to the need for large distances between bars to avoid pendulum collisions.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device with oscillating pendulums on transport chains, where each pendulum has a receptacle that can move between a driving and passing position, allowing for safe pickup and deposition of pasta sticks without colliding with already placed or unpicked rods, by engaging only in the driving position and disengaging in the passing position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the two chain conveyors transport the bars in opposite directions to allow for a zigzag arrangement, then space utilization is improved, but the pendulums collide with the bars already deposited on the second pass, potentially lifting them again
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is made dynamically movable between a carrying position (for picking up bars) and a passing position (for passing over deposited bars). This dynamic repositioning allows the transfer device to operate in opposite-direction conveyor configurations without colliding with already deposited bars, while maintaining space-efficient zigzag arrangements.
2Reliability
If synchronization is used to move pendulums between adjacent bars, then collisions are avoided, but large distances between adjacent rods are required, significantly reducing throughput
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on synchronization that requires large bar spacing, the receptacle dynamically changes its engagement state by moving between carrying and passing positions. This allows bars to be placed closer together while the receptacle automatically disengages during the passing phase, maintaining high throughput without collisions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the receptacle remains in engagement position during the second pass over the upper section, then the bar is securely held, but the pendulum collides with and may lift already deposited bars
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle transitions from an engaged carrying position (when picking up and transporting bars) to a disengaged passing position (when passing over the upper section of the second conveyor). This dynamic state change ensures bars are securely held during transport while preventing collisions with already deposited bars during the return pass.
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
This solution enables efficient transportation of pasta sticks between chain conveyors moving in opposite directions without collisions, reducing mechanical stress and the risk of damage, while maintaining the orientation of the pasta and allowing for higher throughput.
Implementation Method 1
Each pendulum is arranged to pivot about a pendulum axis on one of the transport chains
Data Source
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AI summary
A transfer device (10) for transporting bars (11) for long pieces of pasta (12) from a first chain conveyor (80) to a second chain conveyor (90) is disclosed, wherein the transfer device (10) contains a pair of transport chains (e.g. elevator chains) (13) and a multiplicity of pendulums (14), wherein each pendulum (14) is arranged on one of the transport chains (13) so as to swing about a pendulum axis (P), wherein the pendulum axis (P) is directed towards the other transport chain (13) in each case and wherein the pendulum (14) contains in each case at least one driver containing at least one receptacle (15) for receiving in each case one end (16) of a bar (11). The at least one receptacle (15) of the driver (17) is movable between an entraining position (A) and a passing position (B), wherein, on passing a strand (82, 83, 92, 93) of the first chain conveyor (80) or of the second chain conveyor (90), the at least one receptacle (15) of the driver (17) is able to be brought into engagement with one end (16) of the bar (11) only in the entraining position (A), but not in the passing position (B). Also disclosed are a conveying device (50) for transporting bars (11) for long pieces of pasta (12), a method for operating a transfer device (10) or a conveying device (50) and a pasta dryer for drying long pieces of pasta (12).