Movable Knife Head Fish Fillet Separator with Backbone Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fish processing cutting apparatuses struggle to achieve maximum yield in separating fish fillets from the backbone without risking incisions into the bone structure, as they are fixed with pre-set blade positions that fail to accommodate varying fish sizes and backbone shapes, leading to inefficiencies and potential cutting errors.
Innovation Solution
A cutting apparatus with movable knife heads and sensing elements that adjust the distance between circular blades based on real-time feedback from the backbone, ensuring precise control and avoidance of the bone structure by detecting size and shape variations, allowing for individualized cutting guidance and maximum yield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If fixed pre-set blade positions are used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inability to accommodate varying fish sizes and backbone shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting apparatus employs movable knife heads that can dynamically adjust their positions along the transport direction and transversely. The knife heads are guided by sensing elements that detect backbone position in real-time, enabling the blade positions to adapt to varying fish sizes and backbone shapes while maintaining cutting precision
Solution Approach 2:
Sensing elements are positioned downstream of the cutting edges to detect the backbone position and shape variations. This detection information feeds back to the movable knife heads, which automatically adjust their positions to maintain optimal cutting alignment, resolving the contradiction between fixed simple positioning and precision requirements
2Productivity
If blade distance is reduced to maximize yield, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to increased risk of cutting into the bone structure
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing elements detect backbone position and dimensions downstream, providing feedback that enables automatic adjustment of blade distance. This allows the system to maximize yield by reducing blade distance when safe, while automatically increasing distance when bone structure risk is detected, thus maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The blade distance is not fixed but dynamically adjustable through movable knife heads. The system can optimize blade proximity to the backbone for maximum yield while maintaining the capability to increase distance when sensing elements detect conditions that would risk bone cutting, thus resolving the reliability-productivity contradiction
3Measurement precision
If sensing elements are positioned close to cutting edges, then measurement precision is improved, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to potential interference with fish transport
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing elements are positioned downstream of the cutting edges in the transport direction, utilizing the temporal dimension to achieve precise measurement without spatial interference. The sensing occurs after the cutting action, allowing accurate backbone detection while avoiding physical interference with the fish during transport and cutting
Data Source
AI summary
A cutting apparatus and method are provided for final separation of fish fillets from fish transported, tail-first, in a transport direction along a transport path, and which have belly and flank cuts. The apparatus includes a frame structure, a transport apparatus driven by a drive element, having at least one receiving element for a fish, and a cutting blade assembly with two knife heads each with a driven circular blade. The knife heads are on opposing sides of the transport path such that fish transport between the blades. To alter the blade distance, the knife heads are movably mounted on the frame structure. The blade assembly is assigned at least one sensing element. Each sensing element is on the knife head downstream of the blade cutting edges, which are directed counter to the transport direction, and protrudes beyond the respective edge, viewed in a direction transverse towards the central.