Food Slicing Machine Turntable for Safe Slice Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food slicing machines lack an efficient method for the optimized removal of cut slices, requiring operators to reach into the pivoting range of the cutting mechanism, which can be hazardous and disrupt continuous slicing processes.
Innovation Solution
A food slicing machine design incorporating a chain conveyor with a turntable that allows slices to be deposited and rotated from a storage space under the cutting plane, enabling safe removal without interfering with the cutting mechanism's movement, and allowing for continuous slicing without interrupting the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If slices are removed manually from under the chain conveyor, then slices can be accessed for removal, but operators are exposed to moving parts and the slicing process must be interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The turntable rotates storage areas between different spatial zones (front space and rear space), moving slices vertically and horizontally out of the hazardous zone under the chain conveyor. This dimensional transition allows safe removal while maintaining continuous slicing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The turntable acts as an intermediary device between the cutting zone and the removal zone. It receives slices from the chain conveyor, rotates them to a safe position, and presents them for removal, thereby mediating the interaction between continuous production and safe access.
2Device complexity
If a single storage area is used under the chain conveyor, then the structure is simple, but slices must be removed continuously interrupting the slicing process
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is segmented into multiple storage areas arranged on the turntable. While the overall structure remains relatively simple, the segmentation allows continuous operation by providing multiple zones where slicing can proceed in one area while removal occurs in another.
Solution Approach 2:
The turntable enables continuous slicing by allowing the chain conveyor to deposit slices on one storage area while another storage area is being serviced for removal. The rotation mechanism ensures that storage and removal operations can overlap in time, maintaining continuous productive action.
3Ease of operation
If operators reach into the pivoting range of the cutting mechanism to remove slices, then direct access is achieved, but safety hazards increase due to exposure to moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The turntable extracts slices from the hazardous pivoting range of the cutting mechanism and transports them to a safe removal location. By physically separating the storage/removal function from the cutting zone, operator safety is improved while maintaining ease of access.
Solution Approach 2:
The turntable serves as an intermediary that bridges the cutting zone and the safe removal zone. It accepts slices from the chain conveyor in the cutting area, rotates them away from moving parts, and presents them for safe removal, thereby mediating the safety conflict.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The slicing machine (10), for foodstuffs, has a base unit (12), a cutting blade (28) and a transport mechanism (66) for the cut slices (64) where they are carried off from the cutting plane (54) across into the take-off direction (68). The take-off unit for the cut slices is at least one turntable (88) with at least one laying zone (84) under the transport mechanism.