Automatic Meat Cutting Apparatus with Sensor-Based Position Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current meat cutting apparatuses for shawarma, doner kebab, or gyros lack automation, resulting in inefficient and inconsistent cutting processes, particularly when dealing with skewers rotated vertically, leading to uneven grilling and cutting challenges.
Innovation Solution
An automatic meat cutting apparatus featuring a sensor device to determine meat location and profile, an actuator system to move the cutting device accurately, and a processing unit to control the cutting process, allowing for precise vertical and circumferential cuts based on sensor data, while also accommodating different recipes and shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual cutting is used, then device complexity is low, but productivity and cutting consistency are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device measures and maps the meat surface profile before cutting begins. This preliminary action creates a digital model of the meat's exact shape and position, allowing the control system to plan and execute precise cutting paths automatically, thereby improving productivity without requiring overly complex real-time control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device creates a digital copy or model of the meat surface geometry. This copy is then used by the control system to determine cutting positions and angles, replacing the need for complex mechanical measurement and adjustment mechanisms during the actual cutting process
2Extent of automation
If automatic cutting is implemented, then productivity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement and positioning systems with optical/electronic sensor devices and digital processing. Instead of using mechanical gauges and manual positioning mechanisms, the system uses sensors to detect meat geometry and a control unit to calculate cutting parameters, significantly reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining high automation
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device automatically detects and maps the meat surface without human intervention. The control system then autonomously determines cutting parameters and executes the cutting process based on the sensor data, allowing the system to serve itself and eliminating the need for complex operator interfaces or manual adjustment mechanisms
3Manufacturing precision
If uniform cutting is applied, then manufacturing precision improves, but adaptability to different meat shapes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting system is dynamic and adaptive rather than fixed. The sensor device captures the actual meat profile, and the control system dynamically adjusts cutting parameters (position, angle, depth) based on the measured geometry. This allows the system to maintain consistent cut quality across different meat shapes and sizes by adapting to each piece's unique characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different cutting parameters at different locations on the meat surface. Based on the local geometry detected by the sensor, the control system adjusts cutting depth, angle, and position for each specific area, ensuring consistent thickness and quality throughout the cut while accommodating variations in the overall meat shape
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
Enables precise, automatic cutting of meat from a vertically rotating skewer, ensuring consistent thickness and shape, improving grilling uniformity and reducing manual intervention, with the ability to adjust settings for various recipes and cleaning mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor device may for example use a triangulation or time of flight principle
Implementation Method 2
The sensor device may for example use a triangulation or time of flight principle
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic meat cutting apparatus includes: a skewer holding system to hold a skewer with meat in a vertical position and to rotate the skewer about a vertical axis of rotation, a grill unit to grill meat on the skewer, a meat cutting device to cut meat from the skewer, and an actuator system to move the cutting device with respect to the skewer. The automatic meat cutting apparatus further includes: a sensor device arranged to provide a sensor signal representative for a location of the meat on the skewer, and a processing unit to control the actuator system to move the cutting device to a desired cutting position on the basis of the sensor signal.