Egg Transport Device with Variable Speed Distribution Belts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current egg transport devices face disruptions in distributing eggs over discharge tracks due to uncontrolled movement of eggs, leading to potential blockages and increased risk of breakage, which reduces packaging capacity and requires manual intervention.

Innovation Solution

An egg transport device with a conveyor belt and independently drivable distribution belts, equipped with sensors to control the drive based on egg flow and accumulation, ensuring reliable distribution with reduced manual intervention and minimizing breakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the speed of the feed mat is increased to deliver more eggs, then the productivity is improved, but the risk of egg breakage increases due to accumulation and pushing pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveegg delivery speedVSAvoidegg breakage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The feed mat speed is made variable rather than constant. The control device adjusts the feed mat speed dynamically based on real-time egg flow conditions detected by sensors, allowing the system to optimize productivity while preventing egg accumulation and breakage during distribution transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Sensors detect egg flow conditions and provide feedback to the control device, which then adjusts the feed mat speed accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that eggs are delivered at optimal speeds without accumulation, resolving the contradiction between productivity and egg safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If manual intervention is used to clear blockages, then the reliability of egg distribution is improved, but the productivity decreases due to production stoppage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution reliabilityVSAvoidpackaging capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-diagnosis and self-correction through sensors that detect distribution issues and control devices that automatically adjust feed mat speed or activate distribution belts to clear blockages, eliminating the need for manual intervention and maintaining continuous productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical clearing of blockages is replaced by an automated control system that uses sensors to detect issues and electronically controls the feed mat and distribution belts to resolve blockages automatically, maintaining both reliability and productivity.

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

3Productivity

If the feed mat speed is increased to match packaging capacity, then the productivity is improved, but the flow control precision deteriorates leading to uncontrolled egg movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging capacity matchingVSAvoidegg flow control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The feed mat operates at variable speeds rather than a fixed high speed. The control device dynamically adjusts the speed to match packaging capacity requirements while maintaining precise egg flow control through real-time sensor feedback, resolving the contradiction between productivity and flow precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2701998B1Egg transport device for a packaging device for eggs
Publication Date: 2015.05.20 MOBA GRP BV
  • EP2701998B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2701998B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2701998B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an egg transport device for a packaging device for eggs, comprising a distribution conveyor which extends in a direction of transport from a feed outer end to a discharge outer end and which, as seen in the direction of transport, is bounded on either side by guides extending at least substantially in the direction of transport, which egg transport device is adapted to deliver eggs over at least two discharge tracks of a discharge conveyor (12) which are distributed in a width direction extending at right angles to the direction of transport, wherein the feed conveyor comprises at least over a part of its length at least two distribution belts (17) extending parallel to each other and drivable independently of each other by drive devices, and distributing sections (9) lying in the line thereof, and sensors (7,10) are further provided which during use detect the delivery of an egg to a distributing section (9).