Food Slicing Machine Gripper Control with Laser Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food slicing machines face inefficiencies due to the need for an adjustable gripper return stroke to accommodate varying food product lengths, leading to longer-than-necessary return strokes and increased reload times for shorter products.
Innovation Solution
A food slicing machine equipped with a sensor, such as a laser sensor, that predicts the position of the next food product's end and controls the gripper's return stroke to minimize unnecessary movement, allowing for optimized positioning and reduced reload time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the gripper apparatus return position is set to accommodate the maximum length of product, then all products can be sliced, but the return stroke becomes longer than necessary for shorter products, increasing reload time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the gripper return position variable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the return position based on the actual length of each product being sliced. The sensor detects the position of the trailing end of each product, and the control system uses this information to set the optimal return position for that specific product, allowing the system to adapt its behavior in real-time rather than being constrained by a static maximum-length setting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through a sensor that detects the position of the trailing end of the product and feeds this information back to the control system. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically adjust the gripper return position based on actual product dimensions. The sensor provides continuous information about product length, and the control system responds by optimizing the return stroke, creating a closed-loop control system that eliminates the need for manual adjustment and minimizes reload time
2Loss of time
If the gripper apparatus return position is adjusted for each product length, then reload time is minimized, but the system complexity increases due to additional sensors and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of the gripper return position with an automated optical sensing and electronic control system. Instead of requiring operators to physically adjust mechanical components for each product length, the system uses a sensor (optical, capacitive, or other non-contact type) to detect product dimensions and automatically controls the gripper positioning through electronic signals. This substitution of mechanical adjustment with automated sensing and control reduces operational complexity while achieving optimal performance
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting product length and adjusting the gripper return position without external intervention. The sensor autonomously monitors the product trailing end position, and the control system automatically configures the optimal return position based on this detection. This self-adjusting capability eliminates the need for manual setup and reduces the operational burden, making the system appear simpler to use despite the underlying complexity of the automated control mechanisms
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables the gripper to efficiently position itself for the next food product, reducing reload time and improving the overall slicing process by accurately predicting the location of the trailing end of the product, thus minimizing wasted time and effort.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor is a laser sensor and the sensing signal is an electrical signal which is conducted to the control circuitry
Data Source
AI summary
A food slicing machine is provided which is particularly suitable for slicing food products such as bacon, cheese or cooked meats. The machine has a slicing blade (1), and advancing apparatus (5, 6) operable to engage one end (13) of a food product (4) to be sliced and, on an advancing stroke, push the food product towards the slicing blade for slicing of the other end of the product. The machine includes a sensor (1) operative to produce a sensing signal representative of the position of said one end (13) of the product prior to engagement thereof by the advancing apparatus, and control circuitry for controlling the extent of a return stroke by the advancing apparatus in dependence upon the sensing signal.