Hub Adaptor for Quick-Change Poultry Defeathering Fingers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing poultry defeathering machines require labor-intensive and dangerous manual replacement of worn-out fingers, and transitioning to modern, efficient designs is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A hub adaptor is designed to convert existing hubs to be compatible with modern quick-change finger systems, allowing for easy and safe replacement of fingers using a mounting structure that secures the adaptor to the hub drive shaft and accommodates quick-change finger plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual replacement of fingers is used in existing hubs, then finger replacement can be performed, but the process is labor-intensive and dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
A hub adaptor is introduced as an intermediary component between the existing hub and the quick-change finger system. The adaptor includes a drive shaft interface that connects to the existing hub and a mounting structure that accommodates quick-change finger plates, thereby mediating between the old and new systems to enable efficient finger replacement without directly modifying the existing hub
Solution Approach 2:
The finger replacement system is segmented into modular components: the existing hub, the hub adaptor, quick-change finger plates, and fingers. This segmentation allows the finger replacement function to be separated from the hub structure, enabling rapid replacement of fingers through the adaptor interface without affecting the entire hub assembly
2Productivity
If existing hubs are converted to modern quick-change systems, then finger replacement efficiency improves, but transition cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hub adaptor is designed with universal compatibility to interface with existing hub drive shafts while providing the functionality of modern quick-change finger systems. The adaptor's mounting structure can accommodate standard quick-change finger plates, making the conversion applicable to various existing hub configurations without requiring custom designs for each hub type
Solution Approach 2:
The hub adaptor is nested onto the existing hub drive shaft, with the adaptor containing the mounting structure for quick-change finger plates. This nesting approach allows the new quick-change functionality to be integrated within the existing hub structure, minimizing external complexity while enabling efficient finger replacement
3Ease of repair
If individual fingers are pulled out manually using pliers, then finger replacement can be performed, but the process is dangerous and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The hub adaptor serves as a safe intermediary mechanism that replaces the dangerous manual pulling operation with a controlled mechanical interface. The adaptor's mounting structure provides designated engagement points for quick-change finger plates, eliminating the need for workers to manually grip and pull fingers with pliers, thereby removing the safety hazards associated with hand injuries
Solution Approach 2:
The quick-change finger system enabled by the adaptor allows for self-service finger replacement without requiring manual manipulation tools. The mounting structure is designed to accommodate finger plates that can be quickly attached and detached through simple mechanical actions, making the replacement process safe and easy to perform without specialized tools or training
Data Source
AI summary
Hub adaptor to convert an existing hub (i.e., old fashioned finger plate assembly, a single plate assembly) which requires each individual finger to be pulled in physically by either pliers or finger pullers, to one compatible with a modern quick change finger system, or other two-plate systems.