Pivoting Transfer Conveyor With Expandable Belt for Wash Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Food process lines face challenges in minimizing downtime for washing operations, as frequent washing is necessary to reduce the risk of product recall, but this requires significant manual effort and machine reconfiguration, leading to inefficiencies and increased downtime.
Innovation Solution
A pivoting and reversibly expanding-contracting transfer conveyor system that allows for maintenance and washing without disrupting the alignment of adjacent machines, enabling easier access and reducing the need for manual reconfiguration of the process line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the food process line is washed frequently to reduce recall risk, then product safety is improved, but downtime for washing operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer conveyor is designed with dynamic capabilities including pivoting movement and reversible expansion-contraction of its belt. These dynamic features allow the conveyor to be reconfigured quickly for washing access and then restored to operational configuration, reducing washing downtime while maintaining product safety through frequent washing
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer conveyor belt is segmented into multiple sections that can independently expand and contract. This segmentation allows specific portions of the conveyor to be accessed for washing while other portions remain operational, or enables quick reconfiguration of the entire system for comprehensive washing with minimal overall downtime
2Ease of operation
If the transfer conveyor is fixed in position, then alignment with adjacent machines is maintained, but access for washing operations becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer conveyor incorporates a pivoting mechanism that allows it to rotate between an operational position (aligned with adjacent machines) and a washing position (rotated to provide access). This dynamic positioning enables easy access for washing operations while maintaining proper alignment during food processing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system is pre-configured with pivoting and expansion-contraction capabilities that allow it to be quickly repositioned into washing-accessible configurations. This preliminary design of movable components enables rapid transition to washing positions without requiring complex realignment procedures
3Productivity
If manual reconfiguration is required for washing access, then precise alignment can be achieved, but the complexity and time required for washing operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer conveyor is equipped with self-contained expansion and contraction mechanisms that automatically adjust the belt length and positioning. These self-service features eliminate or reduce the need for manual reconfiguration by operators, simplifying the washing access process while maintaining precise alignment through the mechanism's inherent design
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer conveyor for food process lines is equipped with hardware to enable pivoting in place and other hardware to enable and reversible expansion and contraction of the transfer conveyor, or at least the upper, food-product carrying run of the endless conveyor belt therefor.