Sensor-Guided Discharge Positioning for Sausage Clipping Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clipping machines for producing sausage-shaped products face the risk of damaging the products due to the limited length of the plait-like portion formed by the discharge conveyor, which can lead to collisions and damage when producing slackly filled sausages.
Innovation Solution
A clipping machine with an adjustable discharge device and a sensor system that allows precise positioning relative to upstream components, preventing collisions by detecting and adjusting the discharge device's position and distance to ensure safe product handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the discharge conveyor is fixedly mounted to the framework, then the structure is simple and stable, but the plait-like portion length is limited and product damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge conveyor is made movable relative to the framework through a positioning device, allowing dynamic adjustment of its position. This enables the plait-like portion to have sufficient length without increasing structural complexity, as the conveyor can be repositioned rather than requiring a completely redesign of the fixed structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning device is divided into a driving unit and a sensor unit that work independently but cooperatively. The driving unit adjusts the conveyor position while the sensor unit monitors and provides feedback, allowing the system to achieve reliable product handling through modular components rather than a complex monolithic structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the discharge conveyor position is adjustable, then product damage risk is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor device detects the position of the discharge conveyor and provides feedback signals to a control unit. This feedback mechanism enables automatic positioning and adjustment, making the system adaptable to different product requirements while keeping the control logic manageable through automated feedback loops rather than manual complex adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the sensor device to automatically detect and report the conveyor position, eliminating the need for manual measurement and adjustment. The control unit processes the sensor feedback and autonomously controls the driving unit, allowing the positioning system to self-regulate without requiring complex external intervention mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If the plait-like portion is made longer for slackly filled sausages, then product quality improves, but the risk of collision with discharge device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge conveyor position is dynamically adjustable to accommodate varying lengths of plait-like portions. When producing slackly filled sausages with longer plait portions, the conveyor can be positioned farther upstream, preventing collisions while maintaining the longer filling quality required for the product.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device detects the position and dimensions of the plait-like portion in advance, and the control unit pre-adjusts the discharge conveyor position before the sausage reaches the discharge point. This preliminary action ensures that the conveyor is properly positioned to receive the full-length plait portion without collision, maintaining both product quality and safety.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a clipping machine (CM) and a method for operating a clipping machine (CM) for producing sausage-shaped products (S), like sausages, by filling a flowable filling material into a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing (M) and closing said packaging casing (M) by at least one closure means, like a closure clip (C). The clipping machine (CM) comprises a filling tube (10) for feeding the filling material in a feeding direction (F) into the tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing (M) stored on the filling tube (10) and being closed at its front end, gathering means (30) for gathering the filled packaging casing (M) and for forming a gathered portion thereto, wherein the gathering means (30) include a first displacer unit (32) and a second displacer unit (34), and wherein the second displacer unit (34) is reversibly movable in the feeding direction (F) for forming a filling material free plait-like portion (P) at the gathered portion of the filled packaging casing (M), a clipping device (20) having at least a first and a second closing tool (22, 24) being reversibly movable between an opened position and a closed position, for applying at least one closure means (C) to the plait-like portion (P) and closing said closure means (C) when the closing tools (22, 24) are in their closed position, and a discharge device (40) for discharging a sausage-shaped product (S) just produced from the clipping machine (CM) in a transportation direction (T), wherein the position of the discharge device (40) along the transportation direction (T) and relative to components located upstream the discharge device (40) can be adjusted. The clipping machine further comprises a sensor device (500) for detecting the position of the discharge device (40) relative to components of the clipping machine (CM) located upstream the discharge device (40).