Modular Conveyor Belt with Attached Cutting Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor belts used in butchering processes face issues such as carcass damage and sanitation problems due to the transfer of carcasses between belts and cutting surfaces, and the rigidity of existing belts reduces their useful life under chopping forces.
Innovation Solution
A modular articulated conveyor belt system with hinge joints and retainer modules that allow for the integration of cutting boards, which are securely attached and designed to withstand chopping forces while articulating around sprockets, reducing the risk of damage and improving sanitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rigid flat top surface conveyor belt is used for butchering, then butchering can be performed directly on the belt, but the force of chopping reduces the useful life of the belt and knife scoring causes sanitation problems
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt is divided into modular segments with individual flat top surfaces. Each module can be independently replaced if damaged by chopping forces, extending the overall belt system's useful life while maintaining butchering capability on the modular flat surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting function is extracted from the conveyor belt itself and placed on separate cutting surfaces or boards that can be positioned on the belt. This protects the belt from direct chopping forces and knife scoring, eliminating sanitation problems while preserving butchering capability.
2Ease of operation
If carcasses are transferred between the belt and cutting surface, then butchering can be performed, but product damage occurs and heavy work is required
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt and cutting surface are merged into a single integrated system. The modular belt segments provide both conveyance and cutting surface functions, eliminating the need to transfer carcasses between separate belt and cutting surface, thereby preventing product damage.
3Ease of operation
If separate cutting surfaces are used, then butchering can be performed, but plant space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting surface function is merged with the conveyor belt by using modular belt segments with flat top surfaces. This integration eliminates the need for separate stationary cutting surfaces, reducing plant space consumption while maintaining butchering capability on the moving belt.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular conveyor belt constructed of a series of conveyor belt modules, some of which include retainers for removably retaining plates, such as cutting boards, to the outer surface of the belt. The longitudinal extent of each of the retained plates in the direction of belt travel exceeds the articulation pitch of the conveyor belt.