Vacuum Suction Shutter for Food Product Sorting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food product expulsion systems using suction methods face inefficiencies and inaccuracies when dealing with high water/juice content products, particularly due to the use of valves and suction ports that cause turbulence, interference, and premature material collection.
Innovation Solution
The system replaces traditional valve-based suction systems with a cylinder that serves as a shutter, positioning manifold holes on the cylinder mantle parallel to the carpet, allowing for direct communication and instantaneous opening and closing, eliminating the need for external jackets and bushings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional valve-based suction systems are used, then the suction action can be controlled, but turbulence is created and adjacent suction ports interfere with each other during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the valve component from the suction system entirely. Instead of using a valve to control suction, the system uses a movable suction port that is selectively positioned near or away from the product surface. This extraction of the valve eliminates the turbulence and interference problems associated with valve operation while maintaining controlled suction capability through positional control of the suction port.
2Productivity
If the suction bushing opens the communication duct before reaching the carpet, then suction action begins early, but this causes premature collection of good product and exceeds desired material quantity
Solution Approach 1:
The suction port is pre-positioned away from the product surface during non-operational phases, and only moved into proximity with the carpet when a defect is detected. This preliminary positioning ensures that suction action begins exactly when needed and stops immediately when not needed, eliminating premature collection of good product while maintaining rapid response capability.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple suction ports operate in close proximity, then coverage is improved, but adjacent ports interfere with each other during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The suction ports are made dynamically positionable rather than fixed. Each suction port can be independently moved into or out of proximity with the product surface based on real-time defect detection. This dynamic positioning allows multiple ports to operate in close proximity without interference, as only the ports needed for current coverage are activated while others remain retracted.
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
This configuration enhances precision, reduces good product discard, increases collection speed, and minimizes vacuum consumption by ensuring the suction area is focused and efficient, with improved handling of high water/juice content products.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum system (20) for expelling food products (2)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Vacuum system (20) for collecting food products (2), said food products moving on one conveyor means (3), and said collection system executed by vacuum suction of at least one suction duct (7) which transversely intercepts the conveyor means (3) and bears a plurality of holes (11) directed towards the conveyor belt, and means for controlling the opening or closing of the holes. The suction duct (7) acts as a shutter-valve, i.e. as a suction element, the stems (4B) of the cylinders are adapted to directly interfere , i.e. close or open, the corresponding passage hole (11) on the suction duct (4B). The stems (4b) of the cylinders pass inside the suction duct (7).