Meat Singulator Paddle Wheel Alignment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

In meat processing plants, efficiently arranging pieces of food product into a single row without overlapping is challenging, and conventional methods require manual labor, while existing automated systems lack efficient jam-clearing capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A machine, known as a Singulator, comprising a chute, conveyor, first and second backstops, and a paddle wheel, which aligns and spaces pieces of food product into single rows without overlapping, and includes an automatic jam-clearing system that detects backups and clears jams to prevent disruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual employees are used to arrange food product pieces, then the pieces can be properly arranged in a single row without overlapping, but the processing efficiency is reduced and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearrangement precisionVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical arrangement by employees with an automated mechanical system consisting of a conveyor belt, backstop, and paddle wheel. The automated system uses mechanical forces to align and space food product pieces into a single row without human intervention, thereby maintaining arrangement precision while significantly improving processing efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The food product pieces are guided through the system using their own weight and the mechanical actions of the conveyor and backstop. The pieces self-align to the backstop and are automatically spaced by the paddle wheel without requiring external manual manipulation, enabling the system to serve itself in the arrangement process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If automated systems are used to arrange food product pieces, then processing efficiency is improved, but jam-clearing capability is insufficient causing disruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidcontinuous operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining a steady-state operation where the conveyor, backstop, and paddle wheel continuously align and space pieces before potential jams occur. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when jams do occur, the system is already positioned to clear them efficiently, minimizing disruptions to continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The automated system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the flow of food product pieces through the conveyor and backstop. When pieces accumulate or jamming is detected, the system receives feedback signals that trigger adjustments in the paddle wheel speed, conveyor speed, or backstop position to clear the jam and restore continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If pieces of food product are released directly onto the conveyor, then the process is simple, but the pieces overlap and do not form a single row

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidsingle row alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the arrangement process into distinct functional stages: (1) the backstop receives and initially aligns pieces as they are released from the chute, (2) the conveyor transports the pieces while maintaining alignment, and (3) the paddle wheel spaces the pieces into a single row. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function, achieving single row alignment without requiring the entire system to be overly complex

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If the paddle wheel rotates in the same direction as conveyor movement, then the mechanism is simple, but it cannot effectively manipulate pieces into a single layer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation mechanismVSAvoidsingle layer discharge

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by having the paddle wheel rotate in the opposite direction to the conveyor belt movement. This reverse rotation allows the paddle wheel to effectively push and manipulate food product pieces into a single layer as they pass underneath, creating the necessary mechanical action to prevent overlapping without requiring a complex multi-component manipulation system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12208969B2Device for manipulating meat pieces and methods thereof

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 DRAKE FR CO

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to devices for manipulating meat pieces and methods therefore. In one form, a device comprises a chute, a conveyor, a backstop, and a paddle wheel. The chute is configured to hold pieces of a food product, and the conveyor is configured to receive pieces of the food product released from the chute. The first backstop is positioned above the conveyor and comprises a plate that is configured to align pieces of food product received at the conveyor into a single row. The paddle wheel is positioned above the conveyor downstream from the first backstop and is configured to manipulate the single row of pieces of food product traveling along the conveyor and cause only a single layer of pieces of food product to discharge from the conveyor.