Intermittent Blade Mechanism for Fish Head Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fish head removal systems are prone to inadvertent damage and are overly complex and expensive due to mistiming of guillotine knife devices.
Innovation Solution
A fish processing system featuring a conveyor device and a blade with an intermittent drive mechanism, converting continuous rotation of the conveyor drive motor into intermittent movement of the blade between a standby and cutting position, ensuring precise and efficient severing of fish heads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a guillotine knife device is used for fish head removal, then the severing function is achieved, but the system becomes overly complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of fish head removal from the complex guillotine knife system and implements it using a simple reciprocating blade that moves only when needed. The blade is coupled to the conveyor through a mechanism that allows it to reciprocate relative to the conveyor surface, separating the cutting function from the continuous conveyor system and eliminating unnecessary complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a stationary blade with moving fish (traditional guillotine approach), the patent inverts the approach by having the blade reciprocate while the fish remain relatively stationary on the conveyor. This reversal simplifies the timing and positioning mechanisms, as the blade moves only during the cutting stroke rather than requiring continuous precise alignment of moving parts.
2Reliability
If a guillotine knife device is used for fish head removal, then the severing function is achieved, but the system causes inadvertent damage due to mistiming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through the coupling between the conveyor and blade drive systems. The blade reciprocation is synchronized with fish passage based on conveyor position feedback, ensuring the blade is in the correct position at the correct time. This feedback loop prevents mistiming and the resulting fish damage while maintaining consistent head removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for the cutting action in advance by positioning the blade in readiness before fish arrive at the cutting zone. The reciprocating blade mechanism is pre-positioned and timed to begin its cutting stroke as fish enter the appropriate location, ensuring precise timing and preventing damage from premature or delayed cutting action.
3Productivity
If continuous rotation of the conveyor drive motor is used, then the fish transport is continuous, but the blade movement becomes mistimed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by converting the continuous rotation of the conveyor drive motor into intermittent reciprocating motion of the blade. The blade reciprocates in periodic cycles synchronized with fish passage, while the conveyor continues its continuous motion. This periodic blade action maintains productivity through continuous fish transport while ensuring accurate timing through the rhythmic, synchronized cutting strokes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary mechanism (the coupling system between conveyor and blade drive) to translate continuous conveyor motion into precisely timed blade reciprocation. This intermediary converts the continuous rotational input into controlled periodic blade movement, acting as a mediator that preserves both the continuous productivity of the conveyor and the timing accuracy required for reliable head removal.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for processing fish are provided which enable removal of the head or other portion of a fish in a particularly reliable and efficient manner. The systems include a conveyor drive motor which provides continuous movement of a conveyor device for transporting fish along a transport path and which simultaneously provides intermittent movement of a blade across the transport path to sequentially sever a portion of each fish. An intermittent drive mechanism is coupled to the conveyor drive motor and coupled to the blade to convert continuous movement produced by the conveyor drive motor to intermittent movement of the blade between a standby position and a cutting position. Related methods for severing a portion of each fish in a series of transported fish are also provided.