Fish Evisceration Tool Dynamic Swing Arm Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fish gutting devices have limited mobility and control over gutting tools, leading to unsatisfactory processing results and reduced throughput due to dependence on fish size and conveying speed, resulting in inefficient gutting and cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A gutting device with a swing arm system and steering linkage that allows each gutting tool to be moved along the conveying direction with flexible control over height, speed, and angular positions, enabling precise and efficient processing within a large movement field, independent of fish size or conveying speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the gutting tool is pivotally mounted on a stationary rocker arm with limited range of motion, then the tool can be moved vertically into the abdominal cavity, but the tool's horizontal mobility is restricted and processing time depends on fish length and conveying speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the stationary rocker arm into a dynamically controllable swing arm system with two pivot axes. The first pivot axis (horizontal) allows the swing arm to move back and forth in the conveying direction, while the second pivot axis (vertical) enables the gutting tool to move up and down into the abdominal cavity. This dynamic positioning system allows the tool to follow the fish's movement and maintain optimal processing position regardless of fish size or conveying speed, thereby reducing processing time while improving operational flexibility.
2Productivity
If the fish conveying speed is increased to improve throughput, then more fish can be processed per hour, but the dwell time of the gutting tool within the fish is reduced, resulting in unsatisfactory gutting and cleaning outcome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a control system that receives signals from the fish measuring device about fish length and conveys speed. Based on this feedback, the control system automatically adjusts the swing arm's pivot position and the gutting tool's insertion timing and depth. This closed-loop control ensures that regardless of conveying speed variations, the tool maintains optimal dwell time and processing quality. The system adapts in real-time to maintain gutting quality while maximizing throughput.
3Device complexity
If the evisceration tool remains largely stationary with respect to horizontal movement, then the tool structure is simple, but the waiting time and processing time depend on fish length and abdominal cavity length, limiting throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the stationary evisceration tool into a dynamic system mounted on a swing arm that can move horizontally in the conveying direction. The swing arm's first pivot axis enables the tool to move forward and backward along the fish's length, synchronizing with the fish's movement. This dynamic positioning eliminates waiting time associated with stationary tools, as the tool can continuously track and process each fish regardless of size, thereby significantly improving throughput without excessive structural complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a gutting device (1) for gutting fish (9), said device having gutting tools (3) arranged above a processing line (100), which gutting tools can be controlled into and out of the opened abdominal cavity (93) of each fish which is conveyable in a supine position and a longitudinal orientation. A computer-operated device controller (15) is designed to control in accordance with the fish conveying speed, fish data detected by means of a fish measuring device (12), and tool contact with fish parts in the abdominal cavity (93). Each gutting tool (3) is suspended by means of a rocker system (4). This rocker system has a drive rocker (5, 51), a tool rocker (5, 52) that hinges on the gutting tool (3) and a steering linkage (6) by means of which the angular positions between the rockers (5) and between the gutting tool (3) and the tool rocker (52) can be continuously controlled. The drive rocker (51) is pivotally hinged about a rocker drive axis (70) by means of a rocker pivot drive (7) that is controlled by the device controller (15). The steering linkage (6) is connected to the device controller (15) by means of a steering pivot drive (8) that controls the steering linkage. The device controller (15) and the rocker systems (4) controlled thereby are designed such that, by means thereof, the gutting tools (3) for processing the fish (9) can be simultaneously moved in a conveying direction (F). A method for gutting fish in particular by means of the stated gutting device (1) consists in that all the gutting tools (3), when in the position in the abdominal cavity (93), are moved in the fish conveying direction (F) with the fish (9) to be machined at tool speeds which are less than, equal to or greater than the fish conveying speed.