Caterpillar Drive Assembly Layout to Prevent Carcass Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional loin puller machines suffer from hydraulic motor leaks that contaminate the carcass with hydraulic fluid, leading to reduced production and profits due to the need for carcass removal or cleaning.
Innovation Solution
The loin puller machine features a caterpillar drive assembly with a hydraulic motor positioned beneath the sprocket and chain, preventing hydraulic fluid from spilling onto the carcass by allowing leaks to drip downward.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the hydraulic motor is positioned above the sprocket and chain, then it is easier to access and maintain, but hydraulic fluid leaks contaminate the carcass
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic motor is inverted from its conventional position above the sprocket to a position below the sprocket and chain. This inversion ensures that any hydraulic fluid leaks will drip downward away from the carcass, eliminating the contamination problem while the motor remains accessible for maintenance through the open design of the drive assembly.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the hydraulic motor is positioned below the sprocket and chain, then carcass contamination is prevented, but motor accessibility for maintenance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The drive assembly is designed with separable components where the hydraulic motor can be independently accessed. The sprocket and chain assembly can be disassembled or shifted to provide access to the motor for maintenance, while the motor remains positioned below the sprocket to prevent contamination during operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the motor is positioned to prevent leaks from contaminating the carcass, then meat quality is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than adding complex containment structures or redirection systems to prevent leaks, the solution inverts the motor position to below the sprocket and chain. This simple positional change utilizes gravity to naturally direct leaks away from the carcass, maintaining meat quality without adding device complexity.
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
This design effectively prevents carcass contamination, enhancing production efficiency and maintaining meat quality by containing leaks away from the meat.
Implementation Method 1
The motor is operatively connected to the drive sprocket and is positioned below the drive sprocket and chain. This orientation of the motor beneath the sprocket and chain eliminates risk of contaminating the carcass with hydraulic fluid in the event of a motor failure or leak.
Data Source
AI summary
A loin puller machine includes a frame with the conveyor mounted on the frame for carrying loin carcasses past a series of cutting blades. A caterpillar drive assembly is mounted on the frame adjacent the conveyor to engage the carcass for movement past the blades. The caterpillar drive assembly includes a pair of sprockets and a chain trained about the sprockets, and a hydraulic motor operatively connected to one of the sprockets so as to rotate the sprockets and chain. The motor is positioned below the sprockets and chains to preclude accidental dripping of hydraulic fluid onto the sprockets, chain, or loin carcass.