Elastic Holding Member for Precise Bone-In Meat Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting apparatuses struggle to properly cut bone-in meat without cutting the bone itself, especially when dealing with varying sizes and non-perfect circular cross-sections, leading to improper processing in subsequent steps.

Innovation Solution

A cutting apparatus with an elastically supported holding member that adjusts to the size of the workpiece, allowing the cutter to make precise cuts by varying the elastic force and position of the holding member, ensuring the bone-in meat is cut correctly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a laser beam is used to cut a through-hole in a workpiece, then cutting speed and precision are improved, but the laser beam may become blocked by burrs or dross formed during cutting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting speedVSAvoidcutting continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes burrs and dross from the cutting path using a blowing device that directs gas flow to clear debris from the hole being cut. This prevents the laser beam from being blocked and maintains cutting continuity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces gas as an intermediary substance between the laser beam and the workpiece. The gas serves dual functions: assisting the cutting process and clearing burrs/dross from the cutting path, thereby preventing beam blockage and maintaining reliable cutting operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If a laser beam is used to cut material, then manufacturing precision is improved, but burrs and dross are formed that can block the laser beam

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidburr formation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful effect of burr and dross formation into a beneficial process by using the blowing device to actively remove these byproducts. The gas flow transforms the problem of debris accumulation into a controlled cleaning action that maintains cutting precision and prevents beam blockage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The blowing device extracts and removes burrs and dross from the cutting zone, separating these harmful byproducts from the cutting path. This extraction process prevents the laser beam from being blocked and maintains high cutting precision throughout the operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If conventional cutting methods are used, then device complexity is low, but automation level and productivity are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation levelVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the laser cutting function with the debris removal function into a single integrated system. The blowing device is positioned to work in conjunction with the laser beam, combining high-precision cutting with automatic burr removal to achieve high productivity without requiring separate manual operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The blowing device serves multiple functions: it assists the laser cutting process, clears burrs and dross from the cutting path, and prevents beam blockage. This multi-functionality increases automation level and productivity while adding only one component to the system, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 apparatus ensures accurate cutting of the required portion of bone-in meat regardless of size or shape, preventing bone contamination and facilitating proper separation in subsequent processing steps.

Implementation Method 1

a laser beam is used to cut a through-hole in a workpiece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Implementation Method 2

a blowing device for blowing away burrs and dross formed during cutting of the workpiece with the laser beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas flow: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP4374702B1Cutting device
Publication Date: 2026.05.20 MAYEKAWA MFG CO LTD
  • EP4374702B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4374702B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4374702B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A cutting apparatus cuts a string in a workpiece by bringing a cutter into contact with the workpiece while rotating the workpiece supported by a clamper. The workpiece supported by the clamper is restrained by a holding member from the opposite side from the cutter. The holding member is elastically supported by a support part.