Pivotable Chute for Optical Sorting Machine Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical sorting machines for particulate products, such as foodstuffs and vegetables, face challenges in efficiently accessing internal regions for maintenance and cleaning due to the fixed position of chutes, which limits operator access and increases complexity in design.
Innovation Solution
A pivotally coupled chute with a counterbalance mechanism that allows for both an operative position for guiding product flow and a stowed position for compact storage, enabling easier access and maintenance by nesting within the housing walls, and utilizing a cam member and actuator for adjustable positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the chute is fixed in position to guide product flow, then product sorting function is maintained, but operator access for maintenance and cleaning is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The chute is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to pivot between an operative position for guiding product flow and a retracted position for operator access. This dynamic configuration enables the chute to adapt its position based on operational needs versus maintenance needs, resolving the contradiction between maintaining product sorting function and enabling operator access.
Solution Approach 2:
A counterbalance mechanism is employed to offset the weight of the chute, enabling easy pivoting between positions without requiring significant force. The counterbalance spring or mechanism compensates for gravitational force on the chute, allowing smooth transition between operative and retracted positions while reducing the complexity of motorized positioning systems.
2Ease of repair
If the chute is made movable to improve access, then maintenance ease is improved, but the complexity of articulation and collision risk with other components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chute is designed to nest within or alongside the housing structure when in the retracted position, minimizing its spatial footprint. This nesting arrangement reduces the likelihood of collision with other components and simplifies the articulation mechanism by utilizing the existing housing geometry as a guide and limit for the chute's movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The chute's movement mechanism is designed to be self-limiting, where the geometry of the housing and engagement features automatically prevent over-travel and collision with other components. The system uses its own structural elements to define the range of motion, eliminating the need for complex external limiting mechanisms or sensors.
3Volume of moving object
If the chute is retracted into the housing wall, then compact design is achieved, but the guide surface area available for product flow is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The chute is designed to extend outward from the housing wall in the operative position, utilizing the third dimension (depth) rather than occupying lateral space. This allows the guide surface to have sufficient area for product flow while the retracted profile maintains a compact overall housing volume. The chute effectively 'pops out' when needed, preserving both compact storage and adequate functional surface area.
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 configuration enhances operator access for maintenance and cleaning while maintaining a compact design, reducing the complexity of articulation and collision with other components, thereby improving operational efficiency and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
The chute includes a counterbalance which is disposed to the opposite side of the first pivot to the major portion of the guide surface, and acts to bias the chute so as to maintain the chute in the stowed configuration when the chute is moved from the operative configuration.
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical sorting or classifying machine for sorting or classifying product, comprising a housing (3) which includes an internal region (19), a chute (5) which has a guide surface (29) and is supported by the housing (3), an illumination unit (7a-d) for illuminating product as delivered on and/or from the chute (5), and at least one detector (9a, b) for detecting product as delivered on and/or from the chute (5); characterized in that the chute (5) is pivotably coupled to the housing (3) about a first pivot (31) between a first, operative configuration, in which the chute (19) extends across the internal region (19) and prevents access or entry into the internal region (19) by an operator, and a second, stowed configuration, in which an operator can access or enter the internal region (19).