Sausage Strand Dividing Device with Independent Transport Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sausage filling systems lack flexibility in producing varying sausage lengths without mechanical adjustments, and often require multiple systems arranged one behind the other, leading to inefficiencies and variations in product length due to the fixed nature of transport elements and compartment arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A device with independently drivable pairs of transport elements and dividing elements that allow for precise adjustment of sectioning points by varying speed, enabling flexible sausage length production without mechanical retooling, and featuring a central transport element pair for guiding and supporting the sausage strand to prevent critical transitions between systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rotating transport element with compartment elements is used to divide sausage strands, then dividing and transporting portions is achieved, but flexibility in producing different sausage lengths is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the distance between successive sectioning points variable through independent speed control of transport element pairs. Instead of a fixed mechanical arrangement, the system dynamically adjusts sectioning distances by varying the speed of individual transport element pairs, allowing flexible production of different sausage lengths without mechanical retooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of transport speed for each transport element pair independently. By controlling the speed of each pair separately, the system can adjust the distance between sectioning points to produce various sausage lengths. This parameter-based control replaces the need for mechanical reconfiguration of the device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple systems are arranged one behind the other to produce different lengths, then length variation is possible, but slippage and length variations occur due to lack of form fit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic speed control of transport element pairs to maintain precise sectioning. By independently adjusting the speed of each transport element pair, the system ensures that sectioning points are created at the exact desired locations along the sausage strand, preventing slippage and maintaining consistent lengths without requiring multiple fixed systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device monitors and coordinates the speed of each transport element pair to ensure precise sectioning. This feedback mechanism ensures that the distance between sectioning points corresponds exactly to the desired sausage length, maintaining manufacturing precision while allowing flexible length adjustment.
3Productivity
If compartment elements are mounted at fixed intervals on transport elements, then transporting portions is achieved, but the ability to vary sausage length during production is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed interval system into a dynamic one by enabling independent speed control of transport element pairs. This allows the system to maintain continuous production while flexibly adjusting the distance between sectioning points, thereby producing different sausage lengths without stopping or mechanical reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport element pairs serve multiple functions: they transport the sausage strand continuously and simultaneously create variable sectioning points through independent speed control. This multi-functionality allows the same system to handle both continuous production and flexible length adjustment without requiring separate mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
The apparatus (1) has a stuffed sausage skein (14) conveying in a transport direction (T) between rotating opposite transport elements e.g. chain, of transport element pairs (2, 3). Each pair is provided with dividing elements (4). Other adjacently arranged transport element pairs are driven independently of each other with corresponding dividing element pairs. A speed of the adjacently arranged transport element pairs is adjusted independent of each other to adjust a spacing between successive points of separation corresponding to a preset length of the divided sausage skein. An independent claim is also included for a method for dividing a stuffed sausage skein.