Corrugated Joint Guide for Precise Poultry Cuts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for making anatomical cuts in poultry joints, such as the elbow and knee joints, are complex and often result in incomplete or visually unappealing cuts due to the bone or cartilage being visible at the cut.
Innovation Solution
A joint cutting apparatus with an elongated and corrugated guiding surface that engages the joint tissue, combined with a separate blade, ensures accurate positioning and cutting of the joint, allowing for an anatomical separation of bones while minimizing contact pressure variations and avoiding damage to the joint tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If existing devices are used to make anatomical cuts in poultry joints, then cutting function is provided, but device complexity increases and cutting precision deteriorates due to incomplete cuts and visible bone/cartilage
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding surface is segmented into multiple corrugations (ridges and grooves) that work sequentially to position and guide the joint through the cutting process. Each corrugation segment performs a specific function in guiding the joint tissue, creating progressive positioning stages that ensure precise anatomical cutting without requiring complex overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding surface employs corrugated curvature with alternating ridges and grooves instead of flat surfaces. This curved, corrugated structure naturally guides the joint tissue through the cutting path by utilizing the shape itself to control positioning, eliminating the need for complex mechanical positioning mechanisms while achieving precise anatomical cuts
2Device complexity
If simple cutting devices are used, then device complexity is reduced, but cutting precision deteriorates resulting in visible bone or cartilage at the cut
Solution Approach 1:
The corrugated guiding surface uses geometric curvature to achieve precise positioning and cutting. The alternating ridges and grooves create a self-guiding path that naturally directs the joint through the exact cutting trajectory needed for anatomical separation, achieving high precision with a relatively simple blade and guide structure
Solution Approach 2:
The joint tissue itself is utilized to engage with the corrugated guiding surface, where the natural shape and movement of the joint interact with the corrugations to achieve proper positioning. The system uses the workpiece (joint) to help guide itself through the cutting process, reducing the need for complex external positioning mechanisms
3Productivity
If the blade cuts through bones directly, then cutting speed increases, but cutting precision deteriorates causing incomplete separation and visible bone remnants
Solution Approach 1:
The corrugated guiding surface performs preliminary positioning and guiding actions on the joint tissue before the blade makes the actual cut. The joint is pre-positioned and guided through the corrugations, ensuring proper alignment and trajectory establishment prior to cutting, which enables both high speed and high precision during the cutting operation
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugated guiding surface acts as an intermediary between the blade and the joint bone. Instead of the blade directly interacting with the bone without guidance, the corrugated surface mediates the interaction by providing a controlled path and positioning mechanism, ensuring the blade follows the correct anatomical trajectory for complete and precise separation
Data Source
AI summary
A joint cutting apparatus for providing a cut in a wing or leg of a poultry carcass which is being moved in a transport direction by a conveyor is disclosed. The wing includes at least a joint connecting at least a first bone and a second bone and joint tissue surrounding the joint. The joint cutting apparatus comprises a joint guide having a guiding surface configured to engage the poultry carcass at the joint tissue, and a blade arranged configured to make a cut in the joint tissue at a cutting location defined by the joint guide, wherein the guiding surface is elongated and corrugated when seen in the transport direction.