Segmented Conveyor Buffer for Continuous Egg Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature-control devices for foodstuffs, such as eggs, require complete shutdown during malfunctions, disrupting the feeding and unloading processes and necessitating extended downtime for fault correction.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor device with a meandering path and a buffer unit, allowing continuous loading and temperature control by using two drive units to manage the conveyor chain, enabling the system to operate during malfunctions and adjust dwell time for efficient temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single drive unit is used to operate the conveyor device, then the device structure is simple, but the entire conveyor must be stopped during malfunctions causing loss of productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor device is divided into two independently drivable sections: a first conveyor section with a first drive unit and a second conveyor section with a second drive unit. This segmentation allows one section to continue operating even when the other section experiences a malfunction, thereby maintaining productivity while managing device complexity through modular design.
2Ease of repair
If the conveyor device is stopped completely during malfunction, then fault correction can be performed safely, but feeding and unloading processes are interrupted causing loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the conveyor into two independently controlled sections, the system allows fault correction on one section while the other section continues to operate. This enables maintenance personnel to safely service a stalled section without completely shutting down the production line, thereby reducing downtime and loss of time.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer storage positioned between the two conveyor sections accumulates foodstuffs in advance, creating a buffer stock that allows one section to be stopped for maintenance while the other section continues feeding and unloading operations. This preliminary accumulation of materials enables continuous operation during fault correction.
3Productivity
If the conveyor speed is increased to improve productivity, then more foodstuffs can be processed, but the dwell time for temperature control becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic speed control where the first and second conveyor sections can operate at different speeds independently. This allows optimization of each section's speed based on operational requirements - one section can run faster to improve productivity while the other section maintains slower speed to ensure adequate dwell time for temperature control in the buffer storage area.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for controlling the temperature of foods along a conveying path includes a buffer unit arranged in a region between a loading station and an unloading station. The buffer unit has at least two deflecting rollers. A first deflecting roller engages, in a first portion of a conveying device, in a continuous conveying chain, continuous conveying belt, or the like, which moves from the loading station toward the unloading station when driven. A second deflecting roller engages, in a second portion of a conveying device, in the continuous conveying chain, continuous conveying belt, or the like, which moves from the unloading station toward the loading station when driven. The first drive unit is coupled in the region of the loading station and a second drive unit is coupled in the region of the unloading station to the continuous conveying chain, continuous conveying belt, or the like.