Flexible Curved Egg Holder for Automated Vaccination Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for processing eggs, such as vaccination, injection, candling, and pick-up using suction cups or grabbers, rely on manual alignment, leading to human error and potential damage to the embryo or egg shell, with no automated solution available to ensure precise orientation.
Innovation Solution
A device and system that utilize a holder with flexible, curved arms to align eggs automatically in a predetermined orientation, allowing for precise positioning between the blunt and pointed ends, and a processing station for tasks like injection or candling, with optional abutments and clamping mechanisms to secure the egg.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual alignment methods are used for egg processing, then operational flexibility is maintained, but precision and reliability of egg orientation deteriorate due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The holder automatically aligns the egg through its specially designed curved arms that conform to the egg's shape, eliminating the need for manual alignment operations while achieving precise and reliable egg orientation for processing
2Productivity
If automated processing is implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases due to the need for precise alignment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The holder employs flexible curved arms that naturally conform to the egg's contour, providing automatic alignment through elastic deformation rather than complex mechanical positioning systems, thus maintaining simplicity while enabling automated high-speed processing
Solution Approach 2:
The holder's curved arms are specifically shaped to match the egg's spheroidal geometry, allowing the egg to self-align passively when placed in the holder, eliminating the need for complex active alignment mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity
3Reliability
If precise egg alignment is achieved, then the risk of shell fracture and embryo damage decreases, but the complexity of the holder structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible curved arms gently cradle the egg and provide soft contact points that adapt to the egg's shape, distributing support forces evenly and minimizing stress concentrations that could cause shell fracture, while the simplicity of the flexible arm design avoids adding structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The holder's curved arms are pre-shaped to conform to the egg's contour, providing built-in cushioning and protection against misalignment-induced damage before the egg enters the processing station, eliminating the need for additional protective mechanisms
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
Enables automated and precise alignment of eggs, minimizing the risk of shell fracture and embryo damage, facilitating efficient and reliable processing, including vaccination, injection, and pick-up, while allowing for simultaneous processing of multiple eggs.
Implementation Method 1
the arms are flexible and curved in correspondence with the circumferential shape of the egg and in use yield to align the egg when the arms move over the egg to be engaged by the support
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device, assembled to subject at least one egg, said egg normally having a longitudinal direction between a blunt end and a pointed end, to a processing in a predetermined orientation of the longitudinal direction of the egg, such as injection or vaccination, candling or vacuum or grabber based pick-up, wherein the device comprises: a processing station arranged to subject the egg to the processing; a holder arranged to hold the egg in said predetermined orientation for the processing station to subject the egg to the processing, wherein the holder comprises: a support, arranged to engage one of said two ends of the egg; and a cylindrical accommodation comprising at least two arms extending from the support in use in the longitudinal direction of the egg to engage the egg at a distance from the support, characterised in that the arms are flexible and curved in correspondence with the circumferential shape of the egg and in use yield to align the egg when the arms move over the egg to be engaged by the support.