Contactless Measurement of Poultry Slaughter Products for Hygienic Sizing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring poultry slaughter products are limited by restraints in product orientation, hygiene, and the versatility of measurement data usage.
Innovation Solution
A contactless distance meter, such as a laser distance meter, is used to measure poultry slaughter products at multiple locations along a transport trajectory, determining parameters like size and quality, with optional orientation adjustments and multiple measurements for accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If contactless distance meter is used to measure poultry slaughter product, then hygiene is improved and measurement versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based measurement systems with a contactless distance meter that uses optical or electromagnetic fields to measure poultry slaughter products. This substitution eliminates physical contact between the measuring device and the product, thereby improving hygiene by preventing contamination while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The contactless distance meter is designed to measure multiple parameters (size, shape, volume, surface area) of poultry slaughter products from different orientations and positions. This multi-functionality improves versatility, allowing a single device to handle various measurement requirements without needing multiple specialized instruments, thus managing device complexity through consolidation.
2Measurement precision
If mechanical contact member is used to engage shoulder joints for measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but hygiene deteriorates and product orientation restraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact members with a contactless distance meter that uses optical or electromagnetic measurement principles. This eliminates the need for physical engagement with the product, maintaining measurement precision through non-contact sensing while significantly improving hygiene by removing the contamination risk associated with mechanical contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows the poultry slaughter product to be measured in various dynamic orientations during transport, rather than requiring fixed positioning. The contactless measurement capability enables accurate measurements regardless of product orientation, reducing restraints on product handling and improving hygiene by minimizing contact points.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple distance measurements are taken at different locations, then measurement versatility and product classification accuracy are improved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contactless distance meter is designed to perform multiple measurements continuously as the poultry slaughter product moves through the measurement zone during transport. By maintaining continuous measurement capability and utilizing the existing transport motion, the system obtains multiple distance measurements at different locations without requiring additional stopping or processing time, thus managing measurement time while achieving high versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs measurements during the natural transport process rather than requiring separate measurement steps. By integrating measurement into the existing transport workflow and using the product's movement through the measurement zone, the system obtains multiple data points without adding significant time delay, effectively preparing measurement data in advance of any potential processing decisions.
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 allows for efficient, hygienic, and versatile measurement of poultry products, enabling precise classification and optimizing processing actions based on measured parameters.
Implementation Method 1
The contactless distance meter of the measuring device may be, or at least comprise, a laser distance meter. The laser distance meter may be configured as a point laser meter or as a line laser meter and/or may use a red laser beam, so having a wavelength in the range of 630 nm to 670 nm.
Implementation Method 2
measuring distances, using a contactless distance meter of the measuring device, between the distance meter and the slaughter product
Data Source
AI summary
A method of measuring a poultry slaughter product is disclosed. The method uses a measuring device positioned stationary along a transport trajectory defined by a transport device which has a plurality of successive carriers for holding the slaughter product. The transport device transports the slaughter product held by a carrier of the plurality of successive carriers in a transport direction along the transport trajectory and past the measuring device. The method includes using a contactless distance meter of the measuring device to measure distances between the distance meter and the slaughter product at at least three different locations on the slaughter product. A parameter of the slaughter product is then determined from the measured distances.