Liquid-Bath Bird Stunning with Adaptive Voltage Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated slaughter systems face issues with energy inefficiency and unreliable stunning of birds, particularly in small animals with low electrical resistance, leading to rejects and high energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for stunning birds that involves moving them into a liquid bath, applying a continuously adjustable stunning voltage based on individual electrical resistance, ensuring each bird is safely stunned with a predetermined current, and documenting the process for traceability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a predetermined or non-specific stunning voltage is used, then the stunning process can be performed, but energy consumption is unnecessarily high and animal welfare is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the stunning voltage based on the individual electrical resistance of each bird. Instead of using a fixed predetermined voltage, the system measures the bird's resistance and calculates an optimized stunning voltage that achieves reliable stunning while minimizing energy consumption. This resolves the contradiction by making the voltage parameter adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by measuring the electrical resistance of each bird and using this information to adjust the stunning voltage. The system continuously monitors the bird's electrical properties and modifies the stunning parameters accordingly, ensuring optimal performance while avoiding excessive energy use. This feedback mechanism allows the system to learn from each bird's characteristics and optimize the stunning process in real-time.
2Reliability
If a predetermined or non-specific stunning voltage is used, then the stunning process can be performed, but animal welfare is compromised due to cramping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter from a fixed predetermined value to a dynamically calculated value based on individual bird resistance. This ensures that each bird receives the exact amount of voltage needed for effective stunning without exceeding the threshold that would cause cramping or welfare issues. The parameter adjustment is tailored to each animal's specific electrical characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by customizing the stunning voltage for each individual bird based on its specific electrical resistance. Instead of applying a uniform voltage to all birds, the system measures and responds to the unique electrical properties of each animal, ensuring that the stunning parameters are locally optimized for each bird's individual characteristics and welfare needs.
3Loss of energy
If a predetermined or non-specific stunning voltage is used, then the stunning process can be performed, but energy consumption is high particularly in small animals or animals with low electrical resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by calculating the stunning voltage based on the measured electrical resistance of each bird. This allows the system to automatically adapt the voltage parameter to match the specific electrical characteristics of different animal types and sizes. Small animals or those with low resistance receive proportionally lower voltages, preventing wasted energy while maintaining effective stunning across diverse animal populations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by having the system automatically measure and respond to each bird's electrical resistance without manual intervention. The birds essentially 'tell' the system their electrical characteristics through resistance measurement, and the system self-adjusts the stunning voltage accordingly. This self-service approach enables high adaptability to different animal types while optimizing energy consumption for each individual case.
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
The method and device provide energy-efficient, reliable, and animal-friendly stunning, minimizing rejects and energy consumption while ensuring each bird is individually and reliably stunned without convulsions.
Implementation Method 1
applying a predetermined desired electrical current to a respective bird of the plurality of birds by setting a specific stunning voltage on the respective bird
Implementation Method 2
A measuring voltage is applied to a respective bird of the plurality of birds and a specific electrical resistance of the respective bird is determined on the basis of the measuring voltage applied to the respective bird
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The presented invention relates to a method (100) for stunning birds, wherein the method (100) comprises: ▪ Arranging (101) a plurality of birds (213) on a movement device (203), wherein the movement device (203) is configured to move the plurality of birds (213) along a predetermined path, ▪ Moving (103) the plurality of birds into a liquid bath (201) such that the plurality of birds (213) are simultaneously in the liquid bath, ▪ Applying (105) a predetermined electrical set current to each bird (213) of the plurality of birds (213) by setting a specific stunning voltage at the respective bird (213), ▪ wherein the stunning voltage is set such that the respective bird (213) is stunning with the predetermined electrical set current for a predetermined period, and ▪ wherein the stunning voltage is continuously adjusted during the predetermined period.