Poultry Back-Part Clamping for Stable Back-Flesh Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for recovering back-flesh from poultry carcasses are manual, time-consuming, and inefficient, with a high risk of injury and low yield, due to the complex geometry of back parts and the lack of secure holding elements for automated processing.
Innovation Solution
A holding element with controllable clamping elements that engage with the body interior side of poultry carcasses, specifically the spinal column and rib structure, for secure and releasable fixation, allowing automated processing without undesired movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual methods are used to recover back-flesh from poultry carcasses, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but productivity is low and the process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element is designed to automatically engage with the rib structure of the back part through its own geometric configuration, without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems. The element's shape allows it to self-position and self-lock onto the ribs, enabling automated processing while maintaining simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping element features a specific geometric configuration with engagement surfaces designed to match the curvature and dimensions of poultry ribs. By optimizing the shape parameters of the clamping element, it can securely hold different sizes of back parts while enabling automated high-speed processing
2Reliability
If manual recovery methods are used, then operational flexibility is maintained, but the risk of injury increases and yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element serves as an intermediary device between the automated processing system and the back part. It provides a safe interface that allows automated cutters to process back-flesh without direct human contact, eliminating the risk of injury from sharp tools while maintaining precise control over the processing operation
3Productivity
If automated processing is implemented without secure holding elements, then productivity increases, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to undesired movement
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element is designed with segmented engagement features that contact specific portions of the rib structure. This segmentation allows the element to securely hold the back part at multiple points simultaneously, preventing any undesired movement during automated cutting operations while maintaining high processing speed
4Manufacturing precision
If complex holding elements are used to secure back parts, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential function needed for secure holding - the geometric shape of the clamping element itself - without requiring additional motors, sensors, or control mechanisms. The element's shape alone provides the securing function through passive engagement with the rib structure, achieving precision without complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A holding element positions back parts or parts thereof of poultry carcasses having a neck side, a hip side, a body exterior side, and a body interior side, wherein the back part has a spinal column or parts thereof and a rib structure having at least vertebral rib pairs or parts thereof. The back part has a region, on the exterior side of the body relative to the rib structure, that has back-flesh. The holding element includes a holding device with at least one controllable clamping element. The at least one clamping element is configured and adapted to releasably fix the back part at least in some regions on the holding device by non-positive and/or positive locking engagement with the body interior side.