Carcass Side Orientation via Manoeuvring Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for processing animal carcass sides using overhead conveyors with suspension devices like 'EURO Haken' face challenges in ensuring uniform orientation and sorting, which is crucial for efficient further processing and precise cutting operations, due to the lack of fixation relative to the conveyor and steep hook angles.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that includes a manoeuvring unit to turn and direct carcass sides to a predetermined orientation using abutment surfaces and detectors, with control units to manage the orientation and positioning of carcass sides on the conveyor, ensuring they are correctly aligned and sorted before being placed on a conveyor belt for processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If carcase sides are suspended from overhead conveyor using non-fixated suspension devices, then the system is simple and flexible, but the orientation of carcase sides becomes random and cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
A manoeuvring unit is introduced as an intermediary device between the overhead conveyor and the carcase sides. This unit includes turning mechanisms that actively adjust the orientation of carcase sides during conveyance, serving as a mediator that transforms the random orientation state into a controlled orientation state without changing the basic suspension conveyor system
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses detectors to automatically detect the orientation of carcase sides and control units that automatically control the manoeuvring mechanisms. The system serves itself by using sensors to monitor its own state and make automatic adjustments, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining flexibility
2Device complexity
If carcase sides are conveyed without orientation control, then the conveying system is simple, but sorting into right and left carcase sides becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates detectors that continuously monitor the orientation and type of carcase sides during conveyance. This feedback information is sent to control units that automatically adjust the manoeuvring mechanisms to ensure correct orientation and sorting, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains simplicity while enabling sophisticated sorting capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The manoeuvring unit provides dynamic adjustment of carcase side orientation during conveyance. Rather than requiring a complex fixed positioning system, the dynamic manipulation of suspension devices allows the system to adapt to different carcase types and orientations in real-time, simplifying the overall system design while improving sorting capability
3Productivity
If carcase sides are placed on conveyor belt without prior orientation, then transfer is quick, but positioning accuracy for cutting operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary orientation adjustment of carcase sides during the conveyance phase, before they reach the transfer point. The manoeuvring unit ensures that carcase sides are already in the correct orientation and position when transferred to the conveyor belt, eliminating the need for post-transfer repositioning and maintaining both speed and precision
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and a system for conveying and processing carcase sides (102; 104) of animal carcases, wherein right and left carcase sides are conveyed by an overhead conveyor (108) with suspension device (106) such as hooks or chains, whose orientation is not fixed relative to the direction of movement. The carcase sides are turned and/or directed in a predetermined direction, depending on their orientation with the purpose of subsequent processing, such as automatic hind toe cutting.