Tiltable Conveyor Section with Force-Limit Retaining Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyor systems for product slices or portions from slicing machines face safety concerns due to the risk of operator injury from accidental movement of pivotable conveyor sections, especially in environments with intermittent and unpredictable movements.

Innovation Solution

A conveyor device with a tiltable conveyor section that can pivot between a conveying position and a safety position about an axis in the conveying direction, equipped with a retaining device that releases the tilt only when a limit load is exceeded, preventing operator injury by giving way to accidental contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the conveyor section is made pivotable to distribute products, then the conveying functionality is improved, but the safety risk increases due to accidental operator contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconveying functionalityVSAvoidsafety risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor section is designed to be dynamically pivotable between a conveying position and a safety position. The retaining device allows the conveyor section to remain fixed during normal operation but enables it to tilt automatically when excessive force is detected, transforming the system from a static to a dynamic safety mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potentially harmful accidental contact force into a beneficial safety signal. When an operator accidentally contacts the conveyor section, the force detected by the retaining device triggers the conveyor section to tilt away, transforming the harmful contact into a protective action that prevents injury.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the conveyor section is held fixed in conveying position, then operational stability is improved, but safety protection is reduced when accidental contact occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational stabilityVSAvoidsafety protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining device monitors the force parameter acting on the conveyor section. Under normal operating conditions, the force remains within a threshold that maintains the conveyor section in the conveying position. When excessive force is detected, the parameter change triggers the releasing device to disengage, allowing the conveyor section to tilt to the safety position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If multiple conveyors are arranged in close proximity for efficient product distribution, then productivity is improved, but the risk of operator intervention increases due to gaps between conveyors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct distribution efficiencyVSAvoidoperator intervention risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Each conveyor section is equipped with its own retaining device and releasing device, enabling independent safety responses. When a operator reaches between conveyors, the first conveyor section detected can automatically tilt to the safety position, dynamically closing the gap and preventing injury while maintaining the close-proximity arrangement for efficient product distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2623442B1Apparatus for conveying products

Publication Date: 2015.02.11 WEBER FOOD TECHNOLOGY SE & CO KG

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AI summary

The invention relates to a device for conveying products (33), in particular product slices or product portions originating from a slicing machine for food products, with at least one conveyor (1) comprising a carrier (3) and at least one conveying section (5) held on the carrier (3), wherein at least a part of the conveying section (5) is tiltable relative to the carrier (3) between a conveying position and a safety position about an axis (A) extending in the conveying direction (I).