Automated Longitudinal Incision Device for Animal Extremities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual labor is still required for making preparatory incisions longitudinally of animal extremities with articulated bones, which hampers meat processing speed, safety, and hygiene in automated meat removal processes.
Innovation Solution
A device with a cutting unit and carousel system that automates the longitudinal incision process, using a cutting knife mounted for movement along guide tracks and adjusted by a mechanism to perform the incision efficiently and hygienically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual labor is used to make preparatory incisions, then flexibility and simplicity are maintained, but processing speed and hygiene are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cutting with an automated cutting device that uses a knife guided by a follower wheel along a template. The template defines the cutting path, and the follower wheel ensures precise reproduction of the desired incision pattern without manual intervention, thereby increasing processing speed while maintaining simplicity through the use of basic mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting device is designed to be self-guiding through the use of a template and follower wheel mechanism. The template automatically defines the cutting path, and the follower wheel self-corrects the knife position, eliminating the need for continuous manual adjustment and enabling automated operation while keeping the device structure relatively simple.
2Reliability
If manual labor is used to make preparatory incisions, then device complexity is minimized, but safety and hygiene are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual cutting operations with an automated knife mechanism guided by a template and follower wheel. This eliminates direct human contact with the cutting process, improving safety while using simple mechanical components that do not significantly increase device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The template acts as an intermediary between the operator and the cutting knife. It defines the cutting path and guides the follower wheel, which in turn controls the knife movement. This intermediary mechanism ensures consistent, safe cutting patterns without requiring complex automated control systems.
3Productivity
If manual labor is used to make preparatory incisions, then assembly simplicity is maintained, but processing efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual incision-making with an automated cutting mechanism using a knife, template, and follower wheel. This substitution improves processing efficiency by enabling continuous, consistent cutting operations while the components remain simple enough to be easily manufactured and assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting device is segmented into distinct functional components: the template that defines the path, the follower wheel that tracks the template, and the knife that performs cutting. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using simple processes and assembled into a functional unit, improving ease of manufacture while enhancing processing efficiency.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A device (1, 9; 109) for making a preparatory incision longitudinally of an animal extremity part (L) having a first bone and a second bone articulated by a joint, and surrounded by meat. The device (1, 9; 109) includes an elongate linear guide member (15; 115), a cutting unit (21; 121) associated with the elongate linear guide member for translating movement lengthwise thereof. The cutting unit (21; 121) includes a cutting knife (51; 151A, 151B) mounted for movement between a first position and a second position in a first plane. A conveyor (5, 7; 201, 207A, B) is arranged for transporting animal extremity parts (L) through a path coincident with the cutting unit (21; 121). The device (1, 9; 109) further includes a primary drive mechanism (19, 39; 119, 139) for moving the cutting unit (21; 121) lengthwise of the elongate linear guide member (15; 115). The device (1, 9; 109) also includes a secondary drive mechanism (23, 27; 123, 127) for moving the cutting knife (51; 151A, 151B) between the first position for receiving an animal extremity part (L) transported by the conveyor (5, 7; 201, 207A, B) in the cutting unit (21; 121), and the second position for performing the preparatory incision longitudinally of the animal extremity part received in the cutting unit. The cutting knife (51; 151A, 151B) having an adjustable cutting direction in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane, and the device (1, 9; 109) includes a knife adjustment drive mechanism (33, 35, 55; 133, 135, 155A, B) for adjusting the cutting direction of the cutting knife in the second plane.