Rail-Guided Transport System for Confectionery Molds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transport systems for industrial confectionery machines using conveyor chains are inefficient due to the need for lubricants, contamination issues, size limitations, and inefficiencies in production station utilization, leading to reduced productivity and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A rail-guided transport system with independently movable carriage elements and a control device that allows for precise movement of molds along a transport rail, enabling auxiliary movements for specific production steps, such as shaking or band molding, without the need for conveyor chains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conveyor chains are used to transport molds, then continuous transport is achieved, but hygiene is compromised due to lubricant requirements and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the conveyor chain from the transport system entirely, extracting the harmful element while maintaining transport functionality through a mold-supported carriage system that moves along guide rails without requiring lubricants or contact surfaces that could contaminate food products
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary carriage system that supports the mold during transport. The carriage element with receiving device acts as a mediator between the mold and the guide rail system, enabling transport without direct mold contact with contaminated surfaces
2Productivity
If conveyor chains are used for transport, then molds can be moved through production stations, but size limitations are imposed on molds and production stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transport system into discrete carriage elements that can independently carry molds of varying sizes. Each carriage element is a separate transport unit that can be positioned and sized appropriately for different mold dimensions, rather than being constrained by a continuous conveyor chain pitch
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic transport system where carriage elements can move independently along the guide rails at different speeds and positions. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to different mold sizes and production station configurations without the rigid constraints of a fixed conveyor chain pitch
3Device complexity
If production stations are arranged in series with fixed spacing, then transport is simplified, but production station utilization is reduced due to free transport sections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control of carriage elements, allowing them to move at variable speeds and be stopped or delayed as needed. This enables precise timing and positioning of molds at each production station, eliminating idle transport sections and optimizing production station utilization without significantly increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements control devices that monitor and regulate carriage element movement based on production station requirements. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust transport timing and positioning to match actual production needs, reducing free transport sections and improving overall productivity
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a conveyor system for moulds (12) of an industrial confectionery machine (2), which comprises a plurality of production stations (P1, P2, P3, P4, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) and moulds (12) for producing at least one confectionery article, wherein with the confectionery machine (2), a mould (12) can be conveyed to the various production stations (P1, P2, P3, P4, 3, 4, 6,, 7) for successive production steps, comprising a conveyor rail (8, 8a, 8b, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82) and a drive device (9, T1, 67, D1, D2, D3, G1, G2, G3), with which a conveyance movement for a mould (12) can be produced in order to convey the mould (12) along the conveyor rail (8, 8a, 8b, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82) to the production stations (P1, P2, P3, P4, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7).