Treadmill Device Swing-Out Mechanism for Tubular Package Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor belt systems used in high-speed tubular packaging devices, such as sausage filling machines, face challenges in quick and efficient cleaning due to contamination from bursting hoses and damage, leading to increased downtime despite faster operation speeds.
Innovation Solution
A treadmill device is designed to swing out from its working position, allowing for easy access and cleaning of all components, including the treadmill assembly, locking mechanism, and surrounding parts, without the need for complex disassembly, using a suspension system that securely supports the device in various pivoting positions and includes a locking mechanism to prevent accidental movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a treadmill device is used for rapid removal of sections, then productivity is improved, but cleaning effort increases and maintenance time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The treadmill device is made dynamically positionable through a swing-out mechanism that allows it to move between a working position (for section transport) and a cleaning position (for accessible cleaning). This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction by enabling fast section removal during operation while providing easy access to all cleaning surfaces when needed, eliminating the time loss associated with complex disassembly.
2Ease of operation
If the treadmill device is left in place for cleaning, then ease of operation is improved, but accessibility of cleaning areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The swing-out mechanism transforms the static treadmill device into a dynamically repositionable unit. When swung out to the cleaning position, all previously hidden cleaning surfaces (underside of treadmill, locking mechanism, surrounding components) become easily accessible without requiring disassembly. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining operational simplicity while dramatically improving cleaning accessibility.
3Ease of operation
If the treadmill device is swung out for cleaning, then cleaning accessibility is improved, but operational position stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a suspension mechanism with defined swing-out angles that allows controlled movement between positions. The treadmill can be swung out to a cleaning position where it remains stable at a defined angle, providing both cleaning accessibility and positional stability. The locking mechanism ensures the treadmill stays securely in both working and cleaning positions, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and stability.
4Productivity
If a powerful conveyor with treadmill is used, then productivity is improved, but cleaning time increases due to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The swing-out cleaning mechanism enables rapid access to all contaminated surfaces (treadmill belt, rollers, locking mechanism, surrounding components) without requiring device disassembly or removal. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining high conveying speed for productivity while enabling quick cleaning operations that minimize downtime, even when contamination occurs from bursting hoses or damage.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for sealing tubular packages filled with pasty contents, in particular sausages. A conveyor belt is provided for transporting the sausages. This necessitates more intensive cleaning. The invention therefore aims to enable faster cleaning. This is achieved by providing a support frame (2) to which the conveyor belt is connected via a suspension (7) in such a way that the conveyor belt can be pivoted about a vertical pivot axis (8).