Stuffing Apparatus Casing End Detection with Air-Blown Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional casing detecting structures for stuffing apparatuses face challenges in accurately detecting the terminating end of casings due to water and material adhesion, dew condensation, and casing shirring issues, leading to incomplete or inaccurate detection.
Innovation Solution
A detecting structure with a photoelectric sensor housed in a protective case equipped with air supplying means to prevent adhesion and dew condensation, and a third air supplying means that offsets air direction to stretch the casing, ensuring accurate detection by differentiating light reflections from the casing, nozzle, and sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the detecting means is positioned in the vicinity of the casing to detect the terminating end, then detection capability is improved, but water and material adhesion to the detecting means prevents accurate detection
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent protective case is introduced as an intermediary between the detecting means and the harmful environment. The protective case allows light to pass through while blocking water and material from reaching the detecting means, thus enabling accurate detection without direct exposure to contaminants
Solution Approach 2:
The protective case acts as a thin film barrier that is transparent to light but impermeable to water and material particles. This flexible shell protects the detecting means while maintaining optical transparency for accurate casing end detection
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective case is provided to cover the detecting means, then protection from water adhesion is improved, but dew condensation occurs on the inner surfaces due to temperature difference
Solution Approach 1:
The internal environment of the protective case is modified by introducing air supplying means that changes the air pressure and composition parameters. This prevents dew condensation by controlling the thermal and pressure conditions inside the protective case, eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining protection
3Speed
If the photoelectric sensor is used to detect the terminating end of the casing, then detection speed is improved, but the trailing end portion may pass the irradiation point without being stretched, resulting in inaccurate detection
Solution Approach 1:
Air supplying means is activated before and during the detection process to preliminarily stretch the trailing end portion of the casing. This preliminary action ensures that the casing is in the correct state (stretched) when the photoelectric sensor detects it, guaranteeing accurate detection of the terminating end
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 enhances detection accuracy by preventing adhesion and dew, stretching the casing for reliable detection, and differentiating light reflections to accurately identify the casing end, thereby improving the stuffing process efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a photoelectric sensor for detecting a terminating end of a casing loaded on an outer periphery of the stuffing nozzle
Implementation Method 2
air supplying means for supplying air into the protective case is provided on the protective case
Implementation Method 3
dew condensation occurs on inner surfaces of the protective case after cleaning owing to a temperature difference between at the time of cleaning and after cleaning
Implementation Method 4
the air supplying means has an air nozzle which is provided in the protective case and jets air toward an inner surface of the transparent portion
Implementation Method 5
a third air supplying means for supplying air toward the casing is provided
Data Source
AI summary
A detecting structure for a stuffing apparatus includes: a stuffing nozzle having a material discharge port and a photoelectric sensor for detecting a terminating end of a casing loaded on an outer periphery of the stuffing nozzle, wherein the photoelectric sensor is accommodated in a protective case having a transparent portion, and a first air supplying arrangement for supplying air into the protective case is provided on the protective case. Further, the first air supplying arrangement may have an air nozzle which is provided in the protective case and jets air toward an inner surface of the transparent portion. Still further, second air supplying arrangement may be provided for supplying air toward an outer surface of the transparent portion. Furthermore, third air supplying arrangement may be provided for supplying air toward the casing.