Fish Fillet Skinning Device with Automatic Cutting Gap Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fish fillet skinning devices require manual adjustment of cutting gap sizes and roller teeth based on fish size, leading to increased operational effort, downtime, and suboptimal cutting results for varying fillet sizes, necessitating pre-sorting.

Innovation Solution

A device with a pivoting main cutting edge and a secondary cutting edge, controlled by an evaluation and control unit, automatically adjusts the cutting gap and cutting edge positions based on detected fish fillet size, allowing for independent and precise adaptation during processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustment of cutting gap size and roller teeth is performed based on fish size, then cutting results can be optimized for specific fillet sizes, but operational effort increases and downtime occurs during adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting qualityVSAvoidoperational effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting gap size is made dynamically adjustable through an electrically adjustable mechanism that allows the cutting edge to be positioned at different distances from the drive roller based on detected fillet size, eliminating manual adjustment and enabling continuous operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the cutting gap parameter automatically based on detected fillet size, allowing optimal cutting parameters to be applied for different fillet dimensions without manual intervention or production stoppage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If different drive rollers with different tooth counts are used for different fish sizes, then skinning performance is optimized, but device complexity increases and changeover time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskinning performanceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single drive roller with adjustable cutting gap serves multiple functions for different fillet sizes, replacing the need for multiple specialized rollers with different tooth counts, thereby simplifying the device while maintaining optimized performance across size ranges

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses dynamic adjustment of the cutting gap rather than static changes in roller configuration, allowing one roller to adapt to different fillet sizes through electrical adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If fixed cutting gap size is used, then device complexity is reduced, but cutting quality deteriorates for varying fillet sizes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidcutting quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting gap parameter is made variable and is automatically adjusted based on detected fillet size, allowing optimal cutting quality for different dimensions while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through automated control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Manufacturing precision

If pre-sorting of fillets is performed, then cutting quality is maintained for different sizes, but productivity decreases due to additional processing time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting qualityVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of fillet size before cutting and automatically adjusts cutting parameters in advance, eliminating the need for manual pre-sorting while maintaining optimal cutting quality for each fillet size

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses detection means to measure fillet size and feeds this information back to automatically adjust the cutting gap, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains cutting quality without manual intervention or pre-sorting

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3125696B1Device and method for removing a surface layer including the skin from fish fillets
Publication Date: 2023.04.19 NORDISCHER MASCHINENBAU RUD BAADER GMBH CO KG
  • EP3125696B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3125696B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3125696B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (10) for removing a surface layer including the skin from fish fillets (11), comprising: a feeding apparatus (12) in the region of a removal assembly (13); an entraining roller (15), which is rotationally driven; and a main blade (16) arranged in the region of the entraining roller for removing the surface layer, wherein the main blade is arranged at a distance from the entraining roller in order to form a cutting gap (S) and is designed to be deflectable relative to the entraining roller. The device has a measuring assembly (18) comprising at least one detection element (19) which is designed and set up to determine size-relevant data of the fish fillets, and an evaluating and control unit (20), the evaluating and control unit being connected by means of signal lines (21) to the detection element and to the main blade, in order to automatically control the size of the cutting gap between the main blade and the entraining roller depending on the previously determined fish fillet size.