Sausage Casing Brake Locking Element for Tool-Free Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sausage casing brakes require tool-assisted adjustments, making it difficult to maintain braking tension during mechanical sausage production, especially under mass inertia, which can lead to poor filling quality and twisting issues.
Innovation Solution
A sausage casing brake with a locking element between inner and outer shells, featuring a positive or frictional connection that can be easily adjusted by hand without tools, allowing for secure locking and adjustment of braking tension, ensuring the shells do not rotate relative to each other during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a thread connection is used between shells to adjust braking force, then adjustment is possible, but mass inertia causes unwanted adjustment during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into two independent functions: a thread connection for adjustment and a separate locking element for fixation. The locking element (such as a cam, wedge, or positive locking mechanism) can be engaged or disengaged independently from the adjustment thread, allowing the operator to adjust the braking force via the thread while the locking element prevents any unintended movement caused by mass inertia during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element acts as an intermediary between the adjustable thread connection and the actual braking force transmission. It mediates by providing a rigid, inertia-resistant connection that transfers the adjusted position to the braking mechanism without allowing further movement, thus ensuring stability while preserving adjustability.
2Reliability
If a rubber ring is added to increase friction in the thread, then adjustment stability improves, but tool-free adjustment becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment system is divided into two separate components: the thread connection for adjustment and the locking element for stabilization. This segmentation eliminates the need for friction-increasing elements like rubber rings, as the locking element provides stability through mechanical engagement rather than friction, thereby preserving tool-free adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction-based stabilization method (using rubber rings) is replaced with a mechanical locking system. The locking element uses geometric shapes (such as cam profiles, wedge surfaces, or positive locking features) to provide stable mechanical engagement that does not rely on friction, thus maintaining ease of adjustment while achieving adjustment stability.
3Reliability
If the brake is designed for secure locking during operation, then braking force consistency improves, but adjustment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is designed to automatically engage or lock into position based on the adjustment made through the thread connection. As the operator turns the thread to adjust the braking force, the locking element passively follows and secures the position without requiring additional operations or complex mechanisms, thus achieving secure locking with minimal added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing a complex adjustment mechanism that inherently provides locking, the invention inverts the approach by using a simple adjustable thread combined with a separate, simple locking element. This inversion allows each component to perform its primary function simply, reducing overall complexity while achieving both adjustability and secure locking.
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
Enables simple, tool-free adjustment of braking tension, maintaining set preload across different calibers, improving hygiene and assembly/disassembly ease, while preventing unwanted twisting and maintaining consistent braking force.
Implementation Method 1
creating a positive and/or frictional connection with the other shell in a locking position
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a sausage casing brake and a method for adjusting a sausage casing brake. To enable manual adjustment of a sausage casing brake without tools and simultaneously ensure that this sausage casing brake cannot be adjusted during operation, a sausage casing brake comprises a brake ring (1), an inner and an outer shell (2, 3) between which the brake ring is clamped, and a locking element (5) between the inner and the outer shell, which is connected to the inner or outer shell and, in a locking position, creates a positive or frictional connection with the respective other shell, and an actuating device (5c) for releasing the positive or frictional connection.