Portable Head-Mounted Screen for X-Ray Meat Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting and removing foreign bodies in food items, such as meat, poultry, and vegetables, using transillumination with X-rays or gamma rays struggle with visibility due to strong work lights at cutting stations, making it difficult for operators to precisely locate and remove foreign bodies like needle parts or bones.
Innovation Solution
A method where the screen image from transillumination is projected onto a portable, pivotally mounted screen that the operator wears, allowing them to align the image with the item, even in strong illumination, and adjust for precise location and depth of foreign bodies, minimizing waste and risk of injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the screen image is displayed at a fixed workstation, then the operator can view the foreign body location, but the strong work light makes the screen image invisible and precise location indication difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The screen is moved from a fixed workstation to a portable headgear mounted on the operator's head, transitioning from a stationary 2D display to a mobile display that moves with the operator's head, allowing the screen image to remain visible regardless of work light intensity
Solution Approach 2:
The portable screen acts as an intermediary between the operator and the fixed workstation display, transferring the image information to a location where it remains visible under strong illumination conditions
2Measurement precision
If the operator uses a fixed workstation screen, then the foreign body location can be indicated, but the operator cannot easily align the screen image with the actual item location
Solution Approach 1:
The screen transitions from a static fixed-position display to a dynamic portable display that moves with the operator's head, enabling real-time alignment between the screen image and the actual item location as the operator moves around the conveyor belt
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the display function from the fixed workstation and attaches it to the operator's headgear, allowing independent movement and positioning of the screen relative to the item being inspected
3Productivity
If the operator removes foreign bodies without precise location indication, then the removal process can proceed, but significant waste of meat occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical trial-and-error removal methods with an optical detection and indication system that provides precise visual guidance of foreign body locations, enabling targeted removal that minimizes meat waste while maintaining removal efficiency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise and safe removal of foreign bodies with minimal waste, improved visibility of foreign bodies, and reduced risk of injury, enhancing safety and meat utilization in food processing lines.
Implementation Method 1
transilluminated when passing through a non-destructive testing system by transillumination with X-rays, gamma rays or magnetic rays
Implementation Method 2
transilluminated... by transillumination with X-rays, gamma rays or magnetic rays with a view to detecting undesirable foreign bodies
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method of removing undesired parts or objects (4) in pieces of meat (1), which, after having been transilluminated by e.g. X-rays (3), are fed to a cutting station (5), where an operator (6) can remove the object (4), which may be done more rapidly and more precisely if, according to the invention, it may be imaged on a screen (9) which the operator (6) carries in front of his eyes, and on which the location of the object (4) is projected, thereby indicating where the object, the foreign body (4) is located, following which the operator indicates where the cutting-away may take place. This reduces waste of meat and facilitates the work of removing undesired objects (4), just as it protects the operator against stick injuries.