Egg Supply Control for Automatic Lot Separation in Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing egg sorting systems require manual operator intervention to switch lots, leading to potential mixing of eggs between lots and inefficiencies due to manual spacing errors.
Innovation Solution
An egg supply system with a tray supply unit, egg supply unit, and control device that automatically provides a space between lots by detecting the final tray of a current lot and stopping the tray supply operation, using a final tray notification unit and control device to ensure proper lot differentiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual operation is used to switch lots and provide space between lots, then the operator can control the process, but the operator burden increases and eggs may become mixed up between lots
Solution Approach 1:
The supply apparatus automatically detects the final tray of each lot using a notification unit and autonomously controls the conveyor to provide the required space between lots, eliminating the need for operator intervention and reducing operational burden while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a final tray notification unit to detect when a lot is complete and provides feedback to the control device, which then automatically adjusts the conveyor operation to ensure proper spacing between lots, preventing mixing while reducing manual monitoring requirements
2Reliability
If the operator actuates the switching button manually, then the lot switching can be controlled, but there is a risk that eggs of previous and following lots will get mixed up
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects lot completion through the final tray notification unit and autonomously executes the space-providing operation, eliminating the need for operator timing and button actuation, thereby preventing mixing errors and freeing operator time
Solution Approach 2:
The notification unit identifies the final tray in advance, allowing the control device to prepare and execute the space-providing operation at the precise moment needed, ensuring reliable lot differentiation without requiring operator timing judgment
3Manufacturing precision
If the supply apparatus is operated manually to provide space between lots, then the operator can adjust the spacing, but the necessary space may not be secured or may be too large causing wait time
Solution Approach 1:
The control device receives automatic notification from the final tray notification unit and precisely controls the conveyor to provide the exact required space between lots, eliminating manual estimation errors and optimizing productivity by avoiding unnecessary wait times
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical operation with automated control, where the control device precisely manages the conveyor speed and positioning to provide the optimal space between lots, ensuring both precision and productivity
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention alleviates the burden on an operator while preventing any decrease in production efficiency, and is an egg supply system 100 that supplies eggs E to an egg conveyor unit 11 which conveys the eggs E to a sorting apparatus 10, and that has a tray supply unit 2 that supplies a tray T holding a plurality of eggs E to a subsequent step, an egg supply unit 3 that supplies eggs E from the tray T supplied by the tray supply unit 2 to the egg conveyor unit 11, a final tray notification unit 5 that gives notification that the tray T supplied from the tray supply unit 2 is a final tray TF of a current lot, and a control device 4 that, in a case in which the final tray notification unit 5 has given notification that a tray T is the final tray TF of the current lot, receives that notification signal, and then ensures that a predetermined space is provided between the eggs E of the current lot supplied to the egg conveyor unit 11 and the eggs E of the subsequent lot supplied thereto.