Bird Processing Engagement Member With Eight-Shaped Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for processing birds on conveyors, such as those described in EP1922935 and US4791704, are limited by high conveyor speeds, leading to increased errors and inability to selectively process birds, particularly at high speeds and when taking down birds from shackles on overhead conveyors.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a moveable engagement member connected to a carrier that rotates about a stationary secondary axis, allowing the engagement member to follow an eight-shaped path, preventing rotation about the secondary axis and enabling continuous, efficient movement into and out of the conveyor path, reducing errors and allowing selective bird processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rod-shaped engagement member is swung between passive and active positions (prior art method), then the mechanical simplicity and reliability are improved, but the applicability at high conveyor speeds deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement member is connected to a carrier at a primary axis, and the carrier is rotatable about a stationary secondary axis. This dynamic configuration allows the engagement member to follow an eight-shaped path, enabling it to effectively engage birds at high conveyor speeds while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement member's movement is extended from a simple swinging motion in one plane to a three-dimensional eight-shaped path. By adding the carrier rotation about the secondary axis, the engagement member can cover a larger spatial area and effectively intercept birds moving at high speeds on the conveyor.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a series of engagement members are arranged on a carrousel and shifted outwards (prior art method), then the transfer between conveyors with different bird spacing is improved, but the risk of errors at high speeds increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single engagement member with eight-shaped path motion can perform multiple functions: it can process selected birds individually, adapt to different conveyor speeds, and maintain reliable operation across various operating conditions. This eliminates the need for complex carrousel arrangements while achieving universal applicability.
3Device complexity
If the engagement member is allowed to rotate freely about the secondary axis, then the mechanical simplicity is improved, but the processing precision and error reduction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint mechanism controls the rotation angle of the engagement member about the secondary axis, optimizing the eight-shaped path geometry for different operating conditions. By adjusting the restraint parameters, the system maintains processing precision while adapting to various conveyor speeds and bird types.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for processing birds on a conveyor according to the invention includes a moveable engagement member (1,101,201,301) having a contacting surface (11,111,211,311) adapted for being brought into contact with the bird (2). The engagement member is connected to a carrier (30,130,230,330) at a primary axis (P), said carrier being rotatable about a stationary secondary axis (132,232,332) and the primary axis (P) being located on the carrier (30,130,230,330) at a distance from the secondary axis (132,232,332), so that said primary axis will rotate about the secondary axis when the carrier is rotated. The engagement member (1,101,201,301) is restrained between the primary axis and the contacting surface, so that the contacting surface is prevented from rotating about the secondary axis. The invention also relates to a method for processing birds on a conveyor, where, during a processing movement, the direction of movement of contacting surface is preferably substantially the same as the direction of the conveyor.