Egg Turning Track Using Rolling Motion for Continuous Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing egg turning apparatuses face challenges in processing eggs efficiently at higher speeds due to insufficient clamping action and inherent waiting times, leading to reduced processing capacity and increased risk of egg breakage.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a three-section turning track that rotates eggs through 90° and 180° using rolling movements, ensuring controlled and continuous movement without interruptions, with sections including a horizontal conveyor, a downward bend, and a third section for final vertical orientation, utilizing endless rollers, lift elements, and guide elements to manage egg rotation and prevent breakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the receiving unit performs cyclic reciprocating movement to receive and hold eggs, then the eggs can be securely clamped and placed, but the inherent waiting time for eggs lying in readiness limits processing capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the cyclic reciprocating movement of the receiving unit with a continuous conveying action. The turning track continuously conveys eggs through the turning process without stopping or reciprocating, eliminating waiting times and maintaining constant processing flow while ensuring eggs are properly oriented through controlled rolling movements.
2Productivity
If the processing speed is increased to improve productivity, then more eggs can be processed, but the eggs do not have sufficient time to be received and held by the receiving unit with sufficient clamping action
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical reciprocating receiving unit with a continuously moving turning track that uses controlled rolling movements to orient eggs. This substitution allows high-speed continuous processing while maintaining reliable egg handling through the inherent stability of rolling motion on the turning track, eliminating the speed-clamping action trade-off.
3Ease of operation
If the receiving unit moves back up after placement to receive the next egg, then the cyclic operation continues, but stop moments and waiting times occur reducing overall efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The turning track operates continuously without cyclic reciprocation or stop moments. Eggs are constantly conveyed through the turning process, and the track maintains continuous motion, eliminating all waiting times associated with reciprocating movement while maintaining ease of operation through the simple continuous conveying mechanism.
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
This solution enables a continuous, controlled egg movement, preventing interruptions and breakage, allowing for higher processing capacities and efficient egg placement into packaging units without stoppages or uncontrollable movements.
Implementation Method 1
all rotation is effected by rolling movements, with the first rotation step being carried out in particular by rolling each egg about a first rotation axis, with the second rotation step being carried out in particular by rolling each egg about a second rotation axis
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
This invention relates to an apparatus for turning eggs, comprising in succession, • a feeding device (13) for feeding eggs substantially over a horizontal surface in a conveying direction T to a turning track (1), whereby at least one row of successive eggs is formed, • a turning track (1), situated in line with the row, for rotating the eggs, in succession, to a direction with their pointed ends each pointing in upstream direction, and thereupon with their pointed end rotating and ending up substantially vertically, wherein all rotation is effected by rolling movements, and • a discharge track (30,31), situated in line with the row, for discharging the eggs from the turning track to a processing unit. With great advantage, the eggs, while being processed continuously and at high speed, are rotated in a proper direction to be packaged immediately after. The invention further provides a method for turning eggs.