Removable Break-Away Shackle Assembly for Carcass Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing shackle assemblies in animal carcass processing systems often become worn or damaged, leading to entanglements and separations, which cause costly and time-consuming interruptions in the processing operation, as they require frequent replacement and reattachment, typically necessitating the shutdown of the conveyor system.
Innovation Solution
A removable break-away shackle assembly with a drop rod and shackle design featuring a widenable gap or resilient C-shaped connector, allowing for secure attachment and easy separation under specific force conditions, enabling minimal disruption during entanglements and facilitating quick replacement without halting the conveyor system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shackle assembly is made secure and rigid to prevent separation, then reliability is improved, but the ability to easily separate and reattach deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shackle assembly incorporates a dynamic connection mechanism where the shackle can be securely attached during normal operation but easily separated when needed. The design allows the shackle to transition between a locked/secured state during processing and an unlocked/separable state for maintenance, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection characteristics of the shackle assembly are designed to change based on operational conditions. The connection strength and separation ease are parameterized to provide secure attachment during normal processing while allowing easy separation for replacement, balancing reliability with operational flexibility.
2Ease of repair
If the conveyor system stops to replace worn or damaged shackles, then the shackle assembly can be replaced, but productivity deteriorates due to processing interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The shackle assembly is designed with pre-configured attachment and separation mechanisms that allow for quick replacement without requiring conveyor system shutdown. The preliminary design of the connection interface enables rapid exchange of worn or damaged shackles while maintaining processing continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system maintains continuous operation during shackle replacement by designing the replacement mechanism to not require system shutdown. The useful action of carcass processing continues uninterrupted while the shackle assembly can be quickly exchanged, preserving productivity.
3Reliability
If the shackle gap is made small to prevent entanglement, then reliability is improved, but the ability to pass over the drop rod deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shackle gap is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to adapt during operation. The gap maintains a small size during normal processing to prevent entanglement but can expand or deform when sufficient force is applied to pass over the drop rod, resolving the contradiction between entanglement prevention and ease of passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap dimension is designed to change based on operational requirements. During normal operation, the gap remains small to prevent entanglement, but under sufficient force, the gap can deform or expand to allow passage over the drop rod, balancing reliability with operational flexibility.
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 solution allows for the shackle assembly to remain connected during normal operation while enabling easy separation and reattachment, reducing downtime and operational disruptions by allowing shackles to be removed or attached with minimal force, thus maintaining processing efficiency and reducing costs associated with interruptions.
Implementation Method 1
The widenable gap is smaller than the maximum circular cross-sectional dimension of the drop rod allowing the shackle to remain connected to the shackle when the animal carcass is being processed, but is capable of deforming when sufficient force is applied to separate the shackle and drop rod
Implementation Method 2
An alternative embodiment removable break-away shackle assembly includes a drop rod with resilient C-shaped connector at the bottom end forming an opening for connecting to a shackle
Data Source
AI summary
A removable break-away shackle assembly for suspending an animal carcass during processing includes a shackle connected to a drop rod, where the drop rod is connected to a conveyor system. The drop rod includes an elongated body with a connector at one end. The shackle includes bendable opposing arms forming a widenable gap. The shackle is separable from the drop rod by passing the drop rod through the widenable gap causing the arms to bend and the gap to widen, or by passing the widenable gap across a depression in the drop rod.