Cam-Driven Tool Positioning for High-Speed Poultry Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses for processing linearly conveyed articles, such as poultry carcasses, face limitations in conveying speed due to high forces and mechanical loads during tool movement, leading to vibrations and reduced processing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a positioning unit comprising a longitudinal slide and a transverse slide, guided by a link guide with a cam track and guiding wheel, allowing synchronous movement with the conveying speed and minimizing mechanical loads and vibrations, ensuring precise tool positioning and reduced mechanical wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tools are moved to and fro in the conveying direction during processing, then processing can be performed on continuously conveyed articles, but high forces occur at direction change due to moment of inertia, limiting maximum conveying speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using a cam mechanism that converts rotational motion into controlled oscillating linear motion. The cam profile is specifically designed to provide smooth acceleration and deceleration curves, avoiding abrupt direction changes. This dynamic approach allows the tool to synchronize with the conveying speed while minimizing inertial forces during direction changes, thereby resolving the contradiction between processing throughput and force at direction change.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the cam-driven oscillating movement of the tool. The cam rotates continuously, creating a periodic cycle where the tool moves forward during processing and returns to its starting position. This periodic motion is synchronized with the conveying line, allowing continuous processing while the smooth cam profile ensures that acceleration and deceleration occur gradually, reducing peak forces during direction changes.
2Productivity
If tools are moved to and fro in the conveying direction, then processing can be performed, but considerable mechanical load and high mechanical wear occur on the drive
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism transforms the reciprocating motion into a dynamically optimized path with controlled acceleration and deceleration. This reduces shock loads and mechanical stress on drive components, thereby decreasing mechanical wear and extending the service life of the drive system while maintaining processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism acts as an intermediary between the continuous rotation of the drive and the oscillating motion required for processing. It mediates the motion transmission, distributing mechanical loads more evenly across the drive cycle and reducing peak stresses that would otherwise cause accelerated wear on mechanical components.
3Productivity
If tools are moved to and fro in the conveying direction, then processing can be performed, but pronounced vibrations occur that make tool movement appear out of true
Solution Approach 1:
The cam profile is designed with optimized curvature radii and transition zones that minimize abrupt changes in acceleration. This dynamic optimization smooths out vibrations during direction changes and maintains stable tool positioning throughout the oscillating cycle, ensuring processing accuracy is not compromised by vibrational disturbances.
4Productivity
If conveying speed is increased to improve throughput, then more articles can be processed per unit time, but the maximum frequency of tool movement is limited by inertial forces
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism enables the tool movement frequency to be dynamically synchronized with the conveying speed. As conveying speed increases, the cam rotation speed increases proportionally, maintaining the correct timing relationship. The optimized cam profile ensures that even at higher speeds, acceleration and deceleration remain smooth, preventing inertial forces from becoming limiting factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the cam rotation speed to match different conveying speeds. This allows the system to adapt to different throughput requirements while maintaining optimal tool movement characteristics. The cam profile parameters (such as rise and fall times) can be adjusted to accommodate different operating conditions, enabling the system to operate efficiently across a range of conveying speeds without being constrained by inertial limitations.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for the moving-along tool positioning of linearly conveyed articles includes a conveyor device forming a conveying line, a processing station arranged along the conveying line and having a processing tool, and a positioning unit having a transverse slide and a longitudinal slide for positioning the tools. An assembly for removing the wishbone from poultry carcasses has such an apparatus and utilizes corresponding methods.