Dynamic Speed Control for Sausage Loading Rod Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing rod-like elements loaded with sausage-shaped products from a hanging line interrupt the continuous production process and require increased control efforts, as they necessitate slowing down the feeding speed to match the slowest operating component, leading to inefficiencies and potential product damage.
Innovation Solution
The method involves varying the transportation and feeding speeds after the final sausage-shaped product is loaded on the rod-like element to create a temporary empty transportation element, allowing for seamless exchange without interrupting the production process, thus maintaining continuous operation and reducing control efforts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the feeding speed is reduced to match the slowest operating component, then the rod-like element can be replaced without interrupting the production process, but the overall productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The transport device's circulation speed is dynamically adjusted during the replacement process. The system transitions from a constant basic circulation speed to a varied speed profile that includes acceleration phases and deceleration phases, allowing the transport device to operate at different speeds at different times to accommodate the replacement operation without permanently reducing productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the transport device by varying its circulation speed. The control device adjusts the circulation speed from the basic speed to higher speeds during certain phases of the replacement process, and modifies the feeding speed accordingly, transforming the system from a static speed operation to a dynamic parameter adjustment operation
2Reliability
If the feeding speed is reduced to match the slowest operating component, then the replacement can be performed safely, but the production process is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous operation by making the transport device's varied circulation speed compatible with the feeding device's basic feeding speed. The control device coordinates both speeds so that the feeding process continues without interruption while the transport device performs the replacement operation, maintaining continuous useful action throughout the process
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic speed adjustment of the transport device to enable safe replacement without interrupting feeding. The circulation speed is varied in a controlled manner during the replacement phases, allowing the system to switch between different operational states smoothly and maintain continuous production
3Ease of operation
If the transportation elements circulate at a constant basic transportation speed, then the operation is simple, but the replacement process requires interrupting the feeding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the constant speed operation into a dynamic variable speed operation. The control device adjusts the circulation speed of the transport device based on the operational phase - using basic circulation speed during normal operation and varying speeds during replacement phases, thereby optimizing both ease of operation and replacement efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic variation of the circulation speed - alternating between basic circulation speed during feeding operations and varied speeds during replacement operations. This periodic action allows the system to maintain simplicity during normal operation while enabling efficient replacement when needed
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for removing a rod-like element (R) from a loading position of a hanging line (HL) in which the rod-like element (R) can successively be loaded with sausage-shaped products (S), like sausages, each of which contain a flowable filling material in a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing provided with a suspension element (L), like a suspension loop, through which the sausage-shaped products (S) can be suspended on the rod-like element (R) in the loading position. The method comprises the steps of feeding successively sausage-shaped products (S) to a take-up position of the hanging line (HL) at a basic feeding speed, taking up one sausage-shaped product (S) being positioned in the take-up position, by one of several transportation elements (240) of a transport device (200) of the hanging line (HL), the transportation elements (240) circulating along a circulation path at a basic transportation speed (BTS), loading by the transportation elements (240) a predefined number of sausage-shaped products (S) on the rod-like element (R) being positioned in the loading position by the transportation elements (240), and replacing the loaded rod-like element (R) by an empty rod-like element (R) after the final sausage-shaped product (S) has been suspended on said rod-like element (R). The method further comprises the steps of varying the basic transportation speed (BTS) of the transport device (200) or the basic feeding speed, or both, after the final sausage-shaped product (S) to be stored on the rod-like element (R), has been picked up by a transportation element (240), such that the subsequent transportation element (240) remains empty, and setting back the varied transportation speed and/or the varied feeding speed to the basic transportation speed (BTS) and/or the basic feeding speed during loading of the subsequent rod-like element (R).