Knife Carrier Plug Connection for Meat Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for carving, boning, and defatting slaughtered animals lack precise and quick connection mechanisms between the knife carrier and the head part, making precise positioning and clamping difficult.

Innovation Solution

A plug connection system with guiding cams and threaded bores allows for precise positioning and clamping of the knife carrier to the head part, using screws to exert tensile force for secure locking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If two screws are used to connect the knife carrier to the head part, then the connection can be established, but precise positioning and reproducible assembly are impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidconnection mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A positioning element with a specific geometric shape (e.g., cylindrical protrusion fitting into a corresponding recess) is introduced as an intermediary between the knife carrier and head part. This positioning element acts as a mediator that automatically aligns the components during assembly, ensuring precise and reproducible positioning without requiring complex adjustment procedures or high-precision manufacturing of all connecting surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If screws are accessed from the knife side for tightening, then the connection can be secured, but manipulations must be performed in the area of the knife blade

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of fastening elementsVSAvoidrisk to knife blade

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of accessing the screw heads from the knife side, the connection mechanism is inverted so that the screw heads are accessible from the opposite side (e.g., the motor housing side or top side). This allows technicians to tighten or loosen the screws without needing to work in the hazardous area around the rotating knife blade, eliminating the safety risk while maintaining secure fastening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If a simple screw connection is used, then the structure remains simple, but quick exchange of the knife carrier is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveknife exchange speedVSAvoidconnection mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning element is pre-configured with a specific geometric shape that automatically guides and aligns the knife carrier with the head part during assembly. This preliminary positioning action occurs before the final tightening step, enabling rapid exchange of the knife carrier by eliminating the need for time-consuming alignment procedures, while the overall mechanism remains relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7704132B2Device for carving, boning, and defatting slaughtered animals

Publication Date: 2010.04.27 SUHNER SCHWEIZ AG

AI summary

A device (1) for carving, boning, and defatting slaughtered animals is provided having a handle (3), with a head part (9) mounted at its front end. The head part (9) carries a knife carrier (21) with a rotatably mounted circular knife (17). The knife carrier (21) can be connected to the head part (9) via guiding cams (27) which are inserted into recesses (29) at the head part (9).