Pivoting Fish Positioning Sliding Element with Magnetic Restoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fish positioning devices in automated fish processing suffer from low throughput due to mechanical stress and limited service life, as they require the displacement element to return to its starting position before repositioning, leading to increased wear and reduced processing efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A positioning device with a sliding element and holder that pivots about an axis and is movable in two degrees of freedom, utilizing magnetic restoring means to exert a controlled force for precise positioning and reduce mechanical stress, eliminating the need for spring elements and enhancing maintenance-free operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a mechanical displacement element with crank arm and connecting rod is used to position fish bodies, then the fish bodies can be positioned in the desired position, but the displacement element must return to its starting position after each positioning cycle, reducing throughput and increasing mechanical wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidthroughput rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical crank arm and connecting rod system with a magnetic field-based positioning system. The magnetic restoring means generates a magnetic field that automatically restores the sliding element to its rest position without mechanical contact, eliminating the need for the displacement element to return to starting position through mechanical means, thereby increasing throughput while maintaining positioning precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the sliding element and the rest position. The magnetic restoring means creates a magnetic field that acts on the sliding element to guide it back to the rest position, serving as a non-contact mediator that eliminates mechanical wear and reduces positioning cycle time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a mechanical displacement element with crank arm and connecting rod is used to position fish bodies, then the fish bodies can be positioned in the desired position, but the mechanical components are heavily loaded due to change in direction, reducing service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical crank arm and connecting rod system with a magnetic field-based positioning system. The magnetic restoring means generates a magnetic field that automatically restores the sliding element to its rest position without mechanical contact, eliminating the need for the displacement element to return to starting position through mechanical means, thereby increasing throughput while maintaining positioning precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs magnetic restoring means that gradually guide the sliding element back to the rest position through magnetic field forces, cushioning the return motion before mechanical contact occurs. This prevents sudden mechanical impacts and reduces wear on components, extending service life while maintaining positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If spring elements are used as restoring means for the sliding element, then the sliding element can be restored to rest position, but the spring elements require frequent cleaning and maintenance to meet hygiene standards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverestoring functionVSAvoidmaintenance effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical spring elements with a magnetic field-based restoring system. The magnetic restoring means generates a magnetic field that acts on the sliding element to restore it to the rest position without physical contact. This eliminates the need for spring elements that would require cleaning and maintenance, meeting hygiene standards while maintaining the restoring function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution achieves precise positioning with reduced mechanical stress, minimizing wear and increasing the device's service life while preventing fish injuries, thereby enhancing throughput and maintaining hygiene standards.

Implementation Method 1

The magnetic restoring means are set up in such a way that when the body of the fish is displaced they exert a restoring force acting in the direction of displacement on the sliding element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

The magnetic restoring means allow the sliding element to be deflected in the sliding position by a pivoting movement relative to the sliding element receptacle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3058829B1Device for positioning and aligning fish bodies
Publication Date: 2018.10.31 NORDISCHER MASCHINENBAU RUD BAADER GMBH CO KG
  • EP3058829B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3058829B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3058829B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device (10) for positioning and aligning fish bodies, comprising a conveying device (11) with trough-shaped receiving elements (12) for individually receiving one of the fish bodies at a time and for conveying the fish bodies transversely to their longitudinal axis in a conveying direction (13), at least one positioning device (15) configured for positioning by moving the fish bodies in a displacement direction (16), wherein the displacement direction (16) is transverse to the conveying direction (13), and is characterized in that the positioning device (15) comprises a sliding element (17) for moving the fish bodies and a sliding element receptacle (18), wherein the sliding element (17) is pivotably arranged on the sliding element receptacle (18) about at least one axis from a rest position, and wherein the sliding element receptacle (18) is designed and configured to be movable in the displacement direction (16).Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for separating the tail from headless fish bodies, comprising a cutting device (37) for separating the tails from the fish bodies, wherein a device (10) for positioning and aligning the fish bodies according to one of claims 1 to 14 is connected upstream of the cutting device (37).