Egg-orienting station with adjustable indexing plates
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing egg-orienting stations require multiple stations for different egg pack orientations, making them inefficient for handling a large number of egg packs.
Innovation Solution
An egg-orienting station with adjustable tracks and a transfer region, featuring a pivotable rod with indexing plates and spring elements, allows eggs to be oriented either top or bottom for efficient placement into conveyor belt holders, eliminating the need for multiple stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple egg-orienting stations are used for different egg pack orientations, then all orientation requirements are met, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single egg-orienting station is designed to perform multiple functions by accommodating different indexing plate configurations. The station can handle both single-row and multi-row egg packs by simply changing the indexing plates, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated stations for different pack types.
Solution Approach 2:
The indexing plates are designed to be changeable and reconfigurable within the station. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same physical station to adapt to different egg pack orientations and configurations, providing versatility without requiring additional fixed infrastructure.
2Device complexity
If a single egg-orienting station is used for all egg packs, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to handle different orientations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The station incorporates changeable indexing plates that can be quickly swapped or reconfigured to accommodate different egg pack types and orientations. This dynamic element allows one stationary structure to perform multiple orientation functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The indexing mechanism is segmented into interchangeable plates rather than a fixed structure. This segmentation allows independent modification of the indexing component without affecting the entire station, enabling flexible adaptation to different pack requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple egg-orienting stations are deployed, then all pack types are handled, but processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a universal station that can handle all pack types through indexing plate changes, the system eliminates the need for eggs to be routed through multiple specialized stations. This consolidation streamlines the workflow and improves processing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional capabilities that previously required separate stations are merged into a single station through the use of interchangeable indexing plates. This consolidation reduces the total number of processing points and improves overall system efficiency.
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
Enables the efficient orientation and packaging of a large number of egg packs without the need for multiple egg-orienting stations, improving processing efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
spring elements secured thereon, which rail is pivotable into the conveying path of the eggs, wherein the rail in its functional position is held above the tracks in such a way that the spring elements come into engagement with the eggs
Data Source
AI summary
An egg-orienting station for an apparatus for transporting eggs and packaging them in egg packs has a plurality of tracks, which are arranged parallel to one another in the conveying direction, and a transfer region for transferring the eggs to a conveyor belt. An adjustment device is arranged upstream of the transfer region, the adjustment device being used to insert the eggs, optionally by way of the bottom or of the top of said eggs, in egg holders of the first conveyor belt.