Poultry Breast Cartilage Scraper With Contour-Following Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual removal of meat remaining on breast cartilage of poultry carcasses after breast meat and poultry tenderloins are separated is inefficient and requires automation.
Innovation Solution
A scraper apparatus with a pair of scrapers that are supported by a mechanism allowing them to move in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the carcass, pinching the breast cartilage to efficiently remove attached meat, utilizing actuators to adjust position and shape to the carcass's contour.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual removal of meat from breast cartilage is performed, then flexibility and adaptability to different carcass shapes are maintained, but productivity is low and labor intensity is high
Solution Approach 1:
The scraper apparatus is divided into multiple independent scrapers (first scraper and second scraper) that can operate separately or simultaneously. Each scraper is independently controllable and can be positioned at different locations along the breast cartilage, allowing flexible segmentation of the meat removal task into multiple processing zones
Solution Approach 2:
The scrapers are designed with movable support structures that allow dynamic adjustment of scraper positions and angles. The support parts can move in directions perpendicular to the conveying direction, enabling the scrapers to adapt to variations in carcass shape and size while maintaining automated operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed scraper position is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different carcass contours is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The support structures for the scrapers are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to adjust positions in directions perpendicular to the conveying direction. This dynamic capability enables the scrapers to follow the contour of the breast cartilage and adapt to different carcass shapes without requiring an entirely complex repositioning system
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows change in positional parameters of the scrapers relative to the carcass. By adjusting the position and orientation parameters of the scrapers dynamically during the meat removal process, the apparatus can accommodate variations in carcass contour while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
3Productivity
If aggressive scraping force is applied, then meat removal effectiveness is improved, but damage to breast cartilage increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different scrapers can apply different forces and pressures at different locations along the breast cartilage. The first and second scrapers may have different blade angles, pressures, and contact forces optimized for specific zones, allowing effective meat removal from difficult-to-reach areas while using gentler forces on more fragile regions to minimize cartilage damage
Solution Approach 2:
The scraping action can be performed in periodic cycles rather than continuous aggressive pressure. By applying force in controlled periodic motions with alternating pressure levels, the system achieves complete meat removal through repeated gentle contact cycles rather than single aggressive strikes, reducing the risk of cartilage damage
Data Source
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AI summary
A scraper apparatus according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a pair of scrapers disposed opposite each other in a perpendicular direction to a conveying direction of a poultry carcass held by a holder and configured to remove meat attached to a processed portion of the poultry carcass by putting the processed portion between the pair of scrapers. The scraper apparatus according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a support part which supports the pair of scrapers so as to allow displacement of the pair of scrapers in the perpendicular direction to follow the shape of the processed portion of the poultry carcass moving in the conveying direction.