Food Slicer Gauge Plate Position Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food product slicers face issues with inconsistency in slice thickness due to the pin/cam mechanism's non-intuitive radial position correspondence and relative indexing, leading to operator inconvenience, waste, and lack of standardization across machines and manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
A food product slicer with a base, rotatable knife, reciprocal carriage assembly, adjustable gauge plate, and a slice thickness identification system using sensors and a display to accurately determine and communicate the gauge plate position, allowing for precise and repeatable slice thickness adjustment and standardization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pin/cam mechanism with exponential spiral cam is used to translate knob rotation to gauge plate movement, then the mechanism can provide the required linear motion, but the radial position of the knob does not correspond to an intuitive linear position of the gauge plate and requires more than 1 full rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pin/cam mechanism with an optical encoder system that directly measures the rotational position of the gauge plate. The optical encoder uses light sensors to detect the position of a coded disk, providing direct digital feedback about gauge plate position without requiring complex mechanical translation mechanisms. This substitution eliminates the exponential spiral cam and its non-intuitive positioning while maintaining the ability to control slice thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a coded disk as an intermediary element between the gauge plate and the measurement system. The coded disk contains radial markings that correspond to specific gauge plate positions, allowing the optical encoder to directly read position information without requiring mechanical conversion. This intermediary enables a direct, intuitive relationship between knob rotation and gauge plate position.
2Device complexity
If relative indexing on the knob is used, then the mechanism can be simpler, but there is no sure way of determining or choosing a specific slice thickness selection and numbers differ between machines and manufacturers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical relative indexing system with an optical encoding system that provides absolute position measurement. The optical encoder reads the actual position of the gauge plate directly, providing precise measurement feedback to the control system. This eliminates the ambiguity of relative indexing while maintaining mechanical simplicity in the adjustment mechanism itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback system where the optical encoder continuously monitors the gauge plate position and communicates this information to the control system. The control system uses this feedback to display the actual slice thickness to the user and to automatically adjust the gauge plate position to achieve the desired thickness. This closed-loop feedback ensures accurate and repeatable slice thickness measurement and control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of gauge plate position is used, then operators can select slice thickness, but there is inconsistency between individual machines and between slicing sessions due to backlash, relative indexing, and machine-specific alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual gauge plate positioning with an automated positioning system controlled by a microprocessor. The control system receives user input for desired slice thickness, calculates the required gauge plate position, and automatically moves the gauge plate to the correct position using a drive mechanism. This eliminates manual adjustment errors and ensures consistent positioning across different machines and operating sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a closed-loop control system where the optical encoder continuously monitors the actual gauge plate position and feeds this information back to the microprocessor. The microprocessor compares the actual position with the target position and makes automatic adjustments to achieve the desired slice thickness. This feedback control ensures high reliability and consistency of slice thickness measurements and control across different machines and sessions.
4Device complexity
If no slice thickness identification system is used, then the device is simpler, but operators must rely on subjective interpretation to achieve consistent slice thickness and there is waste of product and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective visual estimation with an optical measurement system. The optical encoder directly measures the gauge plate position and converts it into digital information about slice thickness. The control system processes this information and displays the actual slice thickness to the user, eliminating the need for subjective interpretation and time-consuming trial-and-adjustment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback system that provides real-time information about the actual slice thickness to the operator through a display. The optical encoder measures the gauge plate position, the control system calculates the corresponding slice thickness, and this information is displayed to the user. This immediate feedback allows operators to quickly verify and adjust settings without time-consuming trial slicing and visual estimation.
Data Source
AI summary
A food product slicer includes a base, a knife mounted for rotation relative to the base, a carriage assembly mounted to the base for reciprocal movement back and forth past a cutting edge of the knife, and an adjustable gauge plate mounted for movement between a closed position that prevents slicing and multiple open positions that permit slicing at respective thicknesses. A slice thickness identification system is provided, and a slice thickness/gauge plate position targeting graphic may be implemented.