Slicing Machine Chain Frame Sensor Collision Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically operated slicing machines face disruptions and potential damage due to collisions between the chain frame and stop plate when switching between operating modes, particularly when cutting thick slices or cleaning the circular knife, as operators often forget to detach the chain frame, leading to space conflicts and improper slicing.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sensor device to detect the current mounted status of the chain frame, which controls the stop plate's movement and prevents it from exceeding a maximum distance if the chain frame is still attached, ensuring safe operation by blocking or enabling specific modes based on the chain frame's status, and providing visual or acoustic signals to inform the operator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the chain frame is detached from the machine housing to allow the stop plate to move to its maximum position for cutting thick slices or cleaning the knife, then the stop plate can reach its full movement range, but the operating sequence is disrupted and the machine cannot properly cut normal slices
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device detects whether the chain frame is mounted before the stop plate movement is initiated. If the chain frame is not mounted, the control device prevents the stop plate from moving beyond a reduced maximum position, thereby avoiding collision and maintaining proper operating sequence without requiring manual intervention
2Adaptability or versatility
If the operator forgets to detach the chain frame before selecting service mode for cutting thick slices or cleaning the knife, then the operating mode can be selected, but the stop plate and chain frame collide causing machine damage
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device continuously monitors the mounted status of the chain frame and provides feedback to the control device. Based on this feedback, the control device automatically adjusts the maximum movement position of the stop plate, enabling service modes only when appropriate and preventing collisions that would cause machine damage
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the chain frame is left detached after service mode to avoid collision, then space conflict is avoided, but normal slicing functionality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the maximum movement position of the stop plate based on the real-time mounted status of the chain frame detected by the sensor device. When the chain frame is mounted, the full movement range is available; when detached, the movement range is automatically reduced to prevent collision, thereby maintaining slicing functionality without space conflicts
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, the present invention provides an electrically operated slicing machine for cutting slices of material to be cut, in particular elongate material to be cut, preferably food, including: a cutting device, including a circular knife that is mounted in a machine housing and rotates in a cutting plane about a first axis of rotation; a stop plate, which is parallel to the cutting plane and is movable in an x direction, for setting the cutting thickness; a carriage, which supports a bearing plate having a bearing surface on which the material to be cut is placed, which carriage can travel in parallel with the cutting plane E; and a chain frame, which is operated by a chain frame motor, for depositing slices that have been cut off from the material to be cut on a deposition table, the chain frame being detachably connected to the machine housing.