Welding Cutting Device Cam Sheet Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging machines for food products, such as long pasta and loose products, face issues with products getting stuck in intermediate positions during welding, leading to defective closures and requiring frequent maintenance shutdowns for sheet overriding, which results in production interruptions and damping device inefficacy.
Innovation Solution
A welding and cutting device with a rotating cam mechanism that moves a pair of sheets between wedge and spread apart positions, allowing for continuous operation and maintenance without shutting down production, featuring a locking system for overriding and a simplified structure with a fixed length cutting bar and compression spring for motion transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If damping devices are used to prevent sudden closure of sheets during machine operation, then noise and sudden movements are reduced, but the damping devices quickly lose efficacy and require frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the damping device entirely from the system by redesigning the cam mechanism. The cam profile is specifically designed to control the motion of the sheets, eliminating the need for separate damping components that would require maintenance and replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism inherently controls the sheet motion through its geometric profile, providing self-regulating motion control without requiring additional damping components. The system serves its own motion control function through the cam's designed geometry rather than needing separate damping devices.
2Productivity
If sheets are present during maintenance, startup, test and size change steps, then continuous production can be maintained, but the presence of sheets becomes a drawback requiring manual intervention and production shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic locking system that can change state based on operational requirements. During maintenance, the locking system is activated to hold sheets in position, allowing safe access. During operation, the locking system disengages to allow continuous sheet movement, maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the sheets by introducing a locking mechanism that alters their state from moving to stationary. This parameter change allows the same sheets to serve both purposes: continuous operation during production and static positioning during maintenance.
3Manufacturing precision
If mechanical adjusting screws are used for sheet positioning, then precise control is achieved, but manual intervention is required causing production shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment screws with an automated locking system controlled by a solenoid valve. This substitution eliminates the need for manual intervention while maintaining precise sheet positioning, thereby preserving production continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The solenoid valve acts as an intermediary between the control system and the locking mechanism. It translates electrical control signals into mechanical locking actions, enabling automated precise positioning without requiring direct manual adjustment during production.
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
Ensures reliable long-term operation, reduces production interruptions, and eliminates the need for frequent damping device replacements by allowing maintenance without shutting down the machine, while maintaining product quality through precise sheet positioning and welding.
Implementation Method 1
a cam (6) rotating around a rotation axis, said cam being operationally active on said sheets to take the sheets from the first wedge position to the second spread apart position and vice versa
Implementation Method 2
a compression spring for motion transmission
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A welding and cutting device (1) for continuous packaging of food products inserted into a continuous tubular casing (100) advancing along a conveying path, comprising: - a welding and cutting station (2) through which the tubular casing (100) slides; - a welding and cutting member (3) that is movable towards and away from the welding and cutting station (2) so as to weld and cut said tubular casing (100) at predefined welding and cutting zones (101); - at least one pair of sheets (4, 5) that are movable at least between a wedge position, wherein two corresponding ends (4a, 5a) of the sheets (4,5) are at a minimum distance from one another, and a spread apart position, wherein the two ends (4a, 5a) are at a maximum distance from one another. The welding and cutting device (1) comprises a cam (6) rotating around a rotation axis and being operationally active on the sheets (4, 5) to take the sheets (4, 5) from the wedge position to the spread apart position and vice versa.