Fish Gutting Device With Shielding Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic fish processing machines face challenges in cutting open the abdominal cavity of fish quickly without damaging the fish, often resulting in unintentional cutting of valuable meat.
Innovation Solution
A gutting device with a movable arm and a shielding element with a blunt tip, which moves along two axes to track the abdominal cavity and automatically shields the blade from cutting too far, preventing damage to the fish.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the blade cuts quickly through the abdominal cavity to increase processing speed, then productivity is improved, but the risk of cutting too far and damaging valuable fish meat increases
Solution Approach 1:
A shielding element with a blunt tip is introduced as an intermediary component between the blade and the fish meat. This shielding element tracks the abdominal cavity and automatically shields the blade from cutting into valuable meat, allowing fast cutting while preventing damage through the mediating protective component
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding element is designed to automatically track the abdominal cavity and engage the shielding position when it detects the end of the cavity. The system serves itself by using the natural anatomy of the fish (the end of the abdominal cavity) to trigger the shielding action, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms
2Manufacturing precision
If the blade cuts precisely along the abdominal seam to prevent damage, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding element is designed with movable joints that allow it to dynamically adapt its position along the abdominal cavity. The element can move from a retracted position during cutting to a shielding position when needed, enabling both precise cutting and rapid response without mechanical constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding element provides real-time feedback by tracking the abdominal cavity and automatically engaging when it detects the end of the cavity. This feedback mechanism ensures precise cutting stops at the correct position without requiring external intervention or slowing down the cutting process
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention provides a gutting device for gutting a fish along its abdominal cavity. A blade for cutting the fish open, and a shielding element are movably mounted on a controllable movable arm. The shielding element has a blunt tip, and it is arranged for being in: 1) a retracted position, where the shielding element allows the blade to cut the fish, 2) a tracking position, where the blunt tip of the shielding elements is inside the abdominal cavity of the fish, so as to track the end of the abdominal cavity of the fish, and 3) a shielding position, where the shielding element is pushed upwards by contact with the end of the abdominal cavity at a genital opening of the fish, thereby shielding the blade from further contact with the fish. This provides a precise method for without unintentionally damaging the fish.