Poultry Egg Transfer Machine with Dual-Subframe Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transfer machines for poultry houses have long cycle times and limited transfer capacity due to the restricted movement of egg pickup members, which can cause hairline cracks in eggs and reduce hatching rates, and require operators to wait for the input and output system to return before continuing operations.

Innovation Solution

The transfer machine incorporates a second sub-frame that moves back and forth on the frame, allowing egg pickup members to move more quickly and independently, reducing cycle time and increasing transfer capacity, while maintaining stability and safety through guided rails and transport mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the egg pickup members are limited to up-and-down movement only, then the eggs can be transferred carefully without damage, but the cycle time becomes long and transfer capacity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveegg transfer safetyVSAvoidtransfer capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The movement system is divided into two independent sub-frames: the first sub-frame provides vertical up-and-down movement for careful egg pickup and placement, while the second sub-frame provides horizontal back-and-forth movement for rapid repositioning. This segmentation allows each sub-frame to specialize in one type of movement, achieving both careful transfer and high speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from one-dimensional vertical movement to two-dimensional movement by adding the horizontal dimension through the second sub-frame. The egg pickup members can now move both vertically (for careful handling) and horizontally (for rapid repositioning), resolving the contradiction between safety and speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the input and output system moves trays under the egg pickup members, then the machine structure is simple, but operators must wait for the system to return before continuing operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachine structureVSAvoidoperator waiting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The horizontal movement of the second sub-frame allows the egg pickup members to continuously reposition and prepare for the next tray while the input and output system is still delivering trays. This eliminates idle waiting time and maintains continuous productive action throughout the transfer cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The egg pickup members perform preliminary horizontal repositioning movements while trays are being delivered, preparing themselves in advance for the next egg pickup operation. This preliminary action eliminates the need for operators to wait for the complete cycle to finish before starting the next operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If a robot arm is used to extract eggs from trays, then operators can continuously place full trays and remove empty trays for maximum transfer capacity, but the swinging movements cause hairline cracks and egg damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer capacityVSAvoidegg integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the robot arm's complex multi-axis mechanical system with a simpler two-sub-frame system that combines vertical suction-based pickup with horizontal translation. This substitution eliminates the swinging and rotating movements that cause egg damage while maintaining continuous transfer capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses pneumatic suction cups on the egg pickup members to grasp and hold eggs during transfer, replacing the mechanical gripping and swinging motion of robot arms. This pneumatic method provides gentle, stable holding that prevents egg damage while enabling continuous high-speed transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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

This design significantly shortens cycle time, increases transfer capacity, and allows operators to work more efficiently by enabling simultaneous transfer of eggs from multiple trays, reducing the likelihood of egg damage and enhancing overall hatching rates.

Implementation Method 1

the transfer system is formed by a set of egg pickup members, more specifically suction cups

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS12070017B2Transfer machine and use thereof in a poultry house for transferring incubated eggs to a floor thereof

Publication Date: 2024.08.27 VERVAEKE BELAVI

AI summary

The transfer machine comprises an input and output system (8) for inserting trays filled with incubated eggs into the transfer machine and for removing the emptied trays therefrom and a transfer system (9) for transferring the eggs from the trays to the floor of the poultry house. The transfer system (9) comprises a set of egg pickup members (28) mounted on a first sub-frame (30). The first sub-frame (30) is mounted on a second sub-frame (31) such that it can move up and down, the second sub-frame mounted on the frame (5) of the machine such that it can move back and forth between a first position, wherein the set of egg pickup members (28) is above the filled trays that have been inserted, and a second position, wherein the set of egg pickup members (28) is above the floor of the poultry house.