Egg Removal Device Pneumatic Blowing Suction Hatchery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for removing rejected eggs, particularly exploders, from incubation trays in hatcheries are inefficient, often leaving viable eggs behind and failing to ensure biosecurity due to mechanical failures and bacterial contamination.

Innovation Solution

A device utilizing a combination of suction and blowing powers, with vertically movable suction tubes and nozzles, to automatically remove rejected eggs from incubation trays, ensuring only non-viable eggs are extracted without touching viable ones, thus maintaining biosecurity and preventing bacterial spread.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If vacuum egg lifters are used to remove rejected eggs, then egg removal is automated, but viable eggs may remain between waste and removal fails due to vacuum seal failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated egg removalVSAvoidremoval reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The removal system is segmented into multiple independent components: a blowing system that directs air under rejected eggs to lift them, and a suction system that separately extracts them. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function reliably without depending on the other, solving the problem of vacuum seal failures leaving viable eggs behind.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A blowing system with air outlets acts as an intermediary between the rejected eggs and the suction system. The air flow lifts the rejected eggs from the tray before the suction system removes them, ensuring reliable extraction without direct vacuum contact that could fail on viable eggs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If all eggs are removed from the tray, then rejection detection is simplified, but viable eggs are accidentally removed reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection complexityVSAvoidchick production
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different characteristics to different parts of the tray: blowing air flow is directed specifically under rejected eggs to lift them, while the suction system selectively removes only the lifted rejected eggs. This local differentiation ensures viable eggs remain on the tray while rejected eggs are removed, maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical vacuum lifting system is replaced with a combination of air flow (blowing) and suction systems. This substitution allows for more precise and reliable separation of rejected and viable eggs, as the air flow can be directed specifically at rejected eggs without risking disturbance of viable ones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If stuck eggs are not removed, then removal system is simpler, but bacterial spread occurs compromising biosecurity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremoval system complexityVSAvoidbacterial contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses pneumatic principles with controlled air flow from blowing outlets to lift stuck eggs from the tray surface. The suction system then extracts these lifted eggs. This pneumatic approach effectively removes stuck eggs without requiring complex mechanical scraping or drilling systems, maintaining simplicity while ensuring biosecurity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The blowing system performs a preliminary action by lifting stuck eggs from the tray before the suction system removes them. This preliminary lifting action ensures that even adherent eggs are detached and ready for extraction, preventing bacterial spread while keeping the removal system relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If manual inspection is used, then detection accuracy is high, but labor costs increase and processing time extends

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveegg viability detection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service removal where rejected eggs are automatically identified and removed without manual intervention. The blowing and suction systems work together to automatically extract rejected eggs from the tray, eliminating labor costs and processing time associated with manual inspection while maintaining high detection accuracy through automated sensing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution effectively removes all rejected eggs, including stuck ones, without disturbing viable eggs, enhancing biosecurity and operational efficiency by ensuring only non-viable eggs are touched, thereby reducing the risk of infection and improving the capacity of the machine line.

Implementation Method 1

a suction tube (6) which is connected to a vacuum means (5) and which extracts the egg (2) or the remains of the egg into the tube (6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

a blowing power, preferably in the form of an air outlet (8), against the bottom of the egg (2) to blow away the egg (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir pressure flow: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3709796B1Device and method to remove rejected eggs in hatcheries
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 INNOVATEC BESLOTEN VENNOOTSCHAP
  • EP3709796B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3709796B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4A
  • EP3709796B1 patent drawingFigure 4B~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for the automatic removal of rejected eggs from an incubation tray, whereby the device comprises a suction power above the egg to suck up the egg, and the device further comprises a blowing power against the bottom of the egg to blow away the egg, whereby the blowing power blows an air flow or overpressure against the bottom of the egg. The invention also relates to a method for the automatic removal of one or more rejected eggs from an incubation tray.