Poultry Conveyor Carrier Decoupling for Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor devices for slaughtered poultry face issues with wear and noise due to frictional coupling in high-speed operations and the accumulation of carriers, leading to potential drops and increased wear on drive members.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of decoupling means actuated by an actuating member to selectively decouple carriers from the drive member, reducing wear and noise by allowing carriers to be decoupled in buffer zones, and using a conveyor wheel with a softer plastic annular running surface to minimize guide wear and particle release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If frictional coupling is used between carriers and drive member, then carriers can be driven in conveying direction, but wear and noise increase at high conveying speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling means are designed to be dynamically adjustable between coupled and decoupled states. The actuating member allows carriers to switch coupling status based on their position in the conveying system, enabling high-speed conveying when coupled and reducing wear when decoupled in buffer zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying system is segmented into zones where carriers are coupled to the drive member for movement and zones where they are decoupled for buffering. This segmentation allows different operational modes in different spatial regions, resolving the contradiction between speed and wear.
2Productivity
If carriers accumulate in buffer zones, then conveying continuity is maintained, but braking action increases wear on drive member
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling status of carriers in buffer zones is dynamically changed to decoupled, eliminating the braking action on the drive member while maintaining conveying continuity through the buffer function.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking action is extracted from the buffer zone operation by decoupling carriers from the drive member in these zones. Carriers in buffers no longer exert braking force on the drive member, reducing wear while maintaining the buffer's continuity function.
3Ease of operation
If friction blocks are used for coupling, then simple decoupling is achieved, but coupling force decreases when moist or wet
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating member serves as an intermediary mechanism that actively controls the coupling status. Instead of relying solely on friction block engagement, the actuating member provides positive control to maintain coupling force even when moist or wet, while still allowing simple decoupling when activated.
4Productivity
If continuous driving is used, then conveying efficiency is high, but unintentional carrier drop risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling status is dynamically adjusted based on operational needs. Carriers can be decoupled in controlled manner in buffer zones, reducing the risk of unintentional drops during continuous conveying operations while maintaining high conveying efficiency in active zones.
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
The solution reduces wear and noise, improves conveying accuracy, and prevents the release of metal particles, enhancing operational conditions and product hygiene by allowing selective decoupling and using a wear-resistant, chemically resistant conveyor wheel design.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling means are thus formed by a friction block located on each overhanging hook
Implementation Method 2
using a conveyor wheel with a softer plastic annular running surface to minimize guide wear and particle release
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor device for conveying slaughtered poultry or one or more pieces thereof, comprising a plurality of carriers, each suitable for carrying slaughtered poultry or one or more pieces thereof. The device also comprises at least one guide which supports the carriers and guides them such that they can move in a conveying direction, a drive member which advances parallel to the guide for jointly driving a plurality of carriers in the conveying direction, and coupling means associated with each carrier for coupling the carrier to the drive member. The conveyor device is also provided with decoupling means, which can be actuated by an actuating member, for selectively decoupling one or more of the carriers from the drive member.