Transfer Device for Food Treatment Units with Multi-Side Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transfer devices for loading and unloading food treatment units, such as baking ovens, are inflexible and require manual operation, limiting efficiency and increasing costs due to the need for direct alignment with the treatment unit.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device with a movable trolley and actuator that can move loading racks or product carriers into and out of receiving devices on multiple sides, allowing for autonomous and automatic transfer between treatment units and loading trolleys, reducing the need for manual intervention and enhancing flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a transfer device uses manual operation and direct alignment with the treatment unit, then the device structure is simple, but the flexibility and efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer trolley is equipped with a drive mechanism that enables it to move autonomously between different positions (loading position, transfer position, waiting position) without requiring manual operation. This dynamic capability allows the transfer device to adapt to different operational scenarios, improving efficiency while the automated control system manages the complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer trolley serves multiple functions: it can transfer loading racks between different treatment units, position itself at various locations along the guide rail, and accommodate different types of loading racks. This multi-functionality increases productivity while the modular design keeps the overall system complexity manageable
2Adaptability or versatility
If the transfer device requires direct alignment with the treatment unit, then the alignment is simple, but the flexibility to operate with multiple receiving devices is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer trolley can dynamically position itself at different locations along the guide rail through automated movement, allowing it to align with multiple receiving devices on different sides of treatment units. This dynamic positioning capability provides flexibility to operate with various receiving devices while the automated control system handles the alignment process
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail acts as an intermediary structure that enables the transfer trolley to move between different positions and align with multiple receiving devices. This intermediary mechanism provides the flexibility to access different sides of treatment units while automating the alignment process through the control system
3Ease of operation
If manual operation is used for loading and unloading, then the operational complexity is low, but the personnel effort and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer trolley is equipped with its own drive mechanism that enables it to move autonomously between positions without requiring manual pushing or pulling. The actuator on the transfer trolley automatically transfers loading racks between the trolley and treatment units, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operation of pushing and pulling loading racks is replaced with an automated actuator system. The actuator automatically transfers loading racks between the transfer trolley and treatment units, replacing manual mechanical effort with automated mechanical action, thereby reducing personnel effort while maintaining ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a transfer device for loading and/or unloading a food treatment unit (1a, 1b), with a movable transfer trolley (3) which has a support device (20, 22) for at least one loading rack (27, 28) or for at least one product carrier, with a drive (19) for moving the transfer trolley (3), and with at least one actuator (21, 23) arranged on the transfer trolley (3), which actuator is configured to move the loading rack (27, 28) or the product carrier into a receiving device (25, 26), located on a first side (13) of the transfer trolley (3), of the food treatment unit (1a, 1b) and to remove it therefrom.The task of the invention is to make the loading and/or unloading of a food treatment unit (1a, 1b) particularly flexible, time-efficient and cost-efficient.This task is solved in that the transfer trolley (3) and the actuator (21, 23) are configured to additionally move the loading rack (27, 28) or the product carrier into at least one second receiving device (25, 26) located on a second side (14) of the transfer trolley (3) and to remove it therefrom.