Sausage Production Coupling Unit With Captive Assembly Tool
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing production systems for sausage-shaped products require time-consuming and labor-intensive assembly and disassembly due to the need for multiple tools and precise alignment, often leading to tool loss and increased downtime for cleaning and product changes.
Innovation Solution
A coupling unit with an integrated tool that is captively held on the adapter piece, allowing for rotational and translational movement along the filling axis, facilitating easy attachment and detachment of components without additional tools, and an adapter piece with threaded engagement for secure coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple external tools are used for assembly and disassembly, then secure coupling is achieved, but assembly time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is integrated into the adapter piece as a captive component, merging the tool and the coupling component into a single assembly. This eliminates the need for separate external tools while maintaining the secure coupling function through the integrated tool's engagement with the connector piece.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter piece includes a built-in tool that serves the assembly function itself, making the system self-sufficient. The captive tool on the adapter piece can directly engage with and tighten the union nut on the connector piece without requiring external tools, enabling the component to service itself during assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple external tools are required, then various coupling functions are achieved, but tool availability and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The captive tool on the adapter piece is designed to perform multiple functions: it can tighten the union nut connecting the adapter to the filling unit, tighten the union nut connecting the connector piece to the clipping unit, and potentially serve other assembly operations. This single multi-functional tool replaces multiple specialized external tools.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise alignment is required for assembly, then accurate coupling is achieved, but assembly complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter piece and connector piece are designed with matching threaded interfaces (union nuts) that provide self-aligning coupling. The threaded connections allow for tolerance compensation and automatic alignment during assembly, eliminating the need for precise pre-alignment while maintaining accurate coupling.
4Reliability
If components are frequently disassembled for cleaning, then hygiene is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The captive tool is pre-integrated into the adapter piece during manufacturing, so no tool preparation or search is needed before disassembly operations. When cleaning is required, the operator can immediately use the pre-positioned captive tool to quickly disassemble and reassemble components, minimizing production downtime while maintaining hygiene through regular cleaning cycles.
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 quick and efficient assembly and disassembly of the production system components, reducing the risk of tool loss and ensuring seamless operation with improved hygiene by eliminating the need for external tools and precise alignment.
Implementation Method 1
The adapter piece is screwed at the outlet by a union or coupling nut and then tightened with a tool wrench
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a production system for producing sausage-shaped products, in particular sausages, containing a flowable filling material in a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing, the production system comprising:a filling unit for providing and conveying the filling material in filling direction into the tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing, the filling unit comprising an outlet;a clipping unit for closing the packaging casing filled with the filling material; anda coupling unit extending along a filling axis for coupling the filling unit and the clipping unit, the coupling unit comprising:an adapter piece configured to be arranged at the outlet of the filling unit;a connector piece configured to connect the clipping unit and the adapter piece; anda filling tube configured to be connected to the connector piece for feeding filling material into the tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing stored on the filling tube,wherein the coupling unit comprises at least one first tool for assembling the adapter piece to and disassembling the adapter piece from the outlet of the filling unit and/or for assembling the adapter piece to and disassembling the adapter piece from the connector piece, wherein the at least one first tool is captively held on the adapter piece and wherein the at least one first tool is arranged rotationally and/or translationally movable relative to the filling axis along the adapter piece.