Fish Stunning Head Positioning Using Length-Based Size Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fish stunning apparatuses require additional sensors and complex devices for determining fish size, leading to increased complexity, maintenance issues, and potential faults during industrial use.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus uses a fish length sensing device to determine fish size, eliminating the need for complex size determination devices by utilizing existing components to adjust the positioning device based on fish length, allowing for precise and reliable stunning and bleeding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional sensors and complex devices are used for determining fish size, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fish size determination function with the existing fish length measurement capability already present in the apparatus. Instead of adding separate complex size determination devices, the system uses the existing length sensing device (38) and integrates its data with the positioning and stunning functions, thereby achieving accurate fish size determination without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The existing fish length sensing device (38) is made multi-functional by using it not only for length measurement but also for determining fish size category. The control unit (30) processes the length data to determine appropriate stunning parameters, making the single device serve multiple purposes in the fish processing workflow
2Measurement precision
If additional sensors and complex devices are used for determining fish size, then measurement precision is improved, but maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the fish size determination function into the existing length measurement system, the patent eliminates the need for additional sensors that would require separate maintenance. The single integrated approach means fewer components to maintain, reducing maintenance burden while preserving measurement accuracy
3Measurement precision
If additional sensors and complex devices are used for determining fish size, then measurement precision is improved, but the system becomes more prone to faults
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of fish size determination with the existing length measurement system reduces the number of independent components that could fail. By using the already-reliable length sensing device (38) for dual purposes, the system maintains high reliability while achieving accurate fish size determination through the control unit's processing of length data
4Manufacturing precision
If the positioning device is adjusted for each fish size, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device (11) is made dynamically adjustable through the controllable position actuator (28), which automatically adjusts the positioning means (12) based on fish size category determined by the control unit (30). This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to maintain precise positioning for different fish sizes without manual intervention, preserving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control where the fish length sensing device (38) continuously provides data to the control unit (30), which then automatically adjusts the positioning device (11) via the position actuator (28). This closed-loop feedback system ensures accurate positioning for each fish while maintaining continuous processing flow, preventing productivity loss
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a fish stunning apparatus, comprising a fish supply device adapted for conveying fish head first, a fish receiving space (10) configured by means of the fish supply device, to be loaded with fish in a head first position, a positioning means (11) with a positioning means (12) engaging the fish head, which is adapted to hold the fish in a stop position in the fish receiving space (10) for stunning the fish and to release the fish after stunning, a stunning means (13) acting on the head-side region of the fish for stunning the fish in the stop position, a trigger device (16) adapted for determining the stop position and for triggering the effect of the stunning means (13) on the head-side region of the fish, a control unit adapted for controlling the positioning device (11), the trigger device (16) and the stunning means (13), a fish size sensing device adapted for determining the fish size, a controllably moveable position actuator, which is adapted for locally adjusting the fish positioning means (12) in such a way that the respective position of the fish head relative to the stunning means (13) in the stop position is adapted to be adjusted in a self-actuating manner depending on the fish size and is characterised in that the fish size sensing device comprises a fish length sensing device adapted for determining the fish length and the fish size sensing device is configured for determining the fish size on the basis of the fish length. The invention further relates to a method for automatedly stunning fish.