Rotating Treatment Head and Translating Tray for Compact Food Cutting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for moving a cutting head and tray in food cutting applications have complex structures that increase manufacturing costs and reduce cleanability, leading to frequent cleaning needs and space inefficiencies due to fixed trays and large movement requirements.
Innovation Solution
A device with a movable arm pivotably mounted on one end, allowing the tray to move in translation within a plane with a compact movement zone, minimizing space requirements and enhancing cleanability by positioning actuators outside the cutting zone and using a geared motor and screw-nut system for precise movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a telescopic arm with carriages and rails is used to move the cutting head, then the cutting head can be positioned accurately, but the structure becomes complex and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two independent movement systems: a simple linear translation system for the tray and a rotational arm system for the treatment head. This segmentation eliminates the complex carriage-rail structure while maintaining positioning accuracy through coordinated movement of the two simpler systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the treatment head along complex rails, the patent inverts the approach by moving the tray linearly and rotating the treatment head arm independently. This inversion simplifies the overall structure while achieving the same positioning function through a different mechanical arrangement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a telescopic arm with multiple members is used, then the cutting head can reach various positions, but the number of recesses increases making cleaning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment head is mounted on a rotatable arm that can dynamically adjust its angle and position, providing versatile reachability. The linear translation of the tray complements this dynamic movement, allowing the system to access various cutting positions without requiring multiple fixed members that would create cleaning recesses.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tray is fixed and the arm performs large amplitude movements, then certain cuts can be performed, but the space requirement of the machine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a linear translation dimension to the traditional rotational arm system. By moving the tray along the x-axis while the treatment head rotates on the y-axis, the system achieves versatile cutting capability within a compact footprint, effectively utilizing two-dimensional movement to reduce the required machine space.
4Ease of operation
If actuators are positioned on the sides of the movement zone, then the tray and cutting head can be moved, but the space requirement of the machine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the actuator positioning with the existing structural elements. The first actuator is integrated into the tray support structure for linear movement, and the second actuator is integrated into the arm mounting for rotation. This merging eliminates the need for additional side-mounted actuators, reducing the machine's space requirement while maintaining ease of operation.
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 solution results in a compact, easily cleanable cutting machine with reduced space requirements and improved contamination control, allowing for efficient cutting operations while maintaining precision and ease of maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the first actuating means and the first driving means are respectively an actuator of the geared motor type provided with a pinion driving a rack fixed to the tray
Implementation Method 2
the third actuating means is a screw-nut system
Implementation Method 3
the second actuating means and the second driving means are respectively an actuator of the geared motor type provided with a toothed sector driving a curved rack fixed to the axis c of the movable arm
Data Source
AI summary
A device (I) for moving a treatment head (JO) and a tray (20) in relation to a plane P., The tray (20) of any shape is inscribed within a rectangle of width A and length 0.8., and includes a first driver (21) suitable for cooperating with a first actuator (22) so as to move the tray (20) in translation within a plane that is parallel to said plane .P. in a movement zone (30) formed from at least two perpendicular edges associated with a reference frame, Q, y, in a direction that is normally parallel to one of said axes or y, the device. (I) The device includes at least: a mobile arm (11) of length R pivotably mounted on one of its ends about an axis £ that is perpendicular to said plane .P., set in motion by a second actuator.