Egg Transfer System Parallel Station Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing egg transfer systems experience delays and inefficiencies due to the time required to transfer a complete row of eggs into empty holders, leading to some eggs being reintroduced or manually handled, especially when processing eggs with different characteristics.
Innovation Solution
The method involves dividing a supply of eggs into subsequent groups, each sufficient to fill all first egg receiving structures, and transferring these groups to specific egg transfer stations, allowing simultaneous filling of rows at multiple stations, with a digital system controller managing the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complete row of eggs is transferred into empty holders at a single egg transfer station, then the row of eggs can be properly formed and transferred, but the article holders are not available to be filled during this time, causing delays and requiring eggs to be reintroduced or manually handled
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the egg transfer process into multiple parallel stations, each handling a portion of the egg rows. Instead of one station processing all rows sequentially, multiple stations simultaneously form and transfer different rows, eliminating the idle time where holders would otherwise be unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple egg transfer stations are combined in parallel to perform the same function simultaneously. The system merges the capabilities of multiple stations to process multiple egg rows at the same time, increasing overall throughput while maintaining reliable transfer completion for each row.
2Manufacturing precision
If eggs are transferred one row at a time through a single transfer station, then each row can be carefully formed and transferred, but significant processing time is lost due to the sequential nature of the process
Solution Approach 1:
The egg stream is segmented into multiple groups, with each group assigned to a specific transfer station. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple egg rows simultaneously, reducing the total time required while maintaining the precision of row formation at each station.
Solution Approach 2:
Eggs are pre-grouped into defined groups before reaching the transfer stations. This preliminary organization ensures that each station receives the correct number of eggs needed to form complete rows, enabling smooth parallel operation without waiting or repositioning delays.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system uses a round-robin sequence for dropping eggs at multiple stations, then eggs can be distributed across different stations, but some eggs cannot be transferred when their designated station is occupied and must be reintroduced into the system
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary grouping of eggs into defined groups, assigning each group to a specific transfer station in advance. This pre-assignment eliminates the need for eggs to be reintroduced when stations are occupied, as each group is already designated for the appropriate station, maintaining both flexibility and throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The defined egg groups act as intermediaries between the supply conveyor and the transfer stations. These groups buffer and organize the egg flow, ensuring that each station receives eggs in the correct sequence and quantity, preventing bottlenecks and reintroduction delays.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for transferring eggs, including: -supplying a plurality of eggs (E) along a respective supply path; -dropping the eggs (E) of the supplied eggs at a plurality of separate egg dropping areas (A1, A2, A3) of the supply path, wherein each egg dropping area (A1, A2, A3) is associated with a respective egg transfer station (T1, T2, T3) having a first array of first egg receiving structures (42) that catches each egg (E) that is dropped in the respective egg dropping area (A1, A2, A3), to form a row of eggs; and - dropping the row of eggs (E), by the first array of first egg receiving structures (42) of each egg transfer station (T1, T2, T3), for further processing; wherein the method includes the steps: -defining subsequent, adjoining, groups (G1, G2, G3) of eggs in the supplied plurality of eggs (E), such that each group of eggs (E) includes a sufficient number of eggs (E) for filling substantially all first egg receiving structures (42) of one of the respective dropping areas (A1, A2, A3). The invention also provides a system for transferring eggs.