Automated Poultry Hanging System with Camera Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current meat production processes, particularly poultry handling, are inefficient and labor-intensive, leading to repetitive strain injuries, high costs, and reduced productivity due to the need for extensive human intervention and physical effort in hanging and positioning tasks.
Innovation Solution
A fully automated system for organizing, hanging, and driving slaughtered animals, which includes a receiving and alignment mechanism, an accumulator device, tracks for horizontal movement, an axial alignment assembly, a suspension and movement assembly, and a transfer device with cameras for position recognition, enabling automatic alignment and hanging without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual hanging and positioning of poultry is used, then flexibility in handling is maintained, but labor intensity increases and repetitive strain injuries occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated system that uses cameras for position recognition, accumulators for storage, and conveyance mechanisms for movement. The system automatically detects poultry positions, calculates optimal hanging points, and executes the hanging process without human intervention, thereby eliminating repetitive strain injuries while maintaining handling flexibility through programmable control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting its own work requirements through camera monitoring, calculating optimal positioning independently, and executing hanging operations autonomously. The accumulator device automatically manages poultry flow, and the conveyance system self-regulates movement based on real-time position data, reducing dependency on human operators.
2Productivity
If automated hanging systems are implemented, then labor requirements are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the automated hanging system into distinct functional modules: camera-based detection units for position recognition, accumulator devices for temporary storage and flow control, conveyance mechanisms for movement, and hanging execution mechanisms. Each module operates independently but coordinates through a central control system, making the overall complex system manageable and easier to implement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs multi-functional components that perform multiple tasks. For example, the camera system not only detects position but also validates orientation and triggers timing sequences. The accumulator device serves as both a storage mechanism and a flow regulator. The conveyance system integrates movement, positioning, and synchronization functions, reducing the total number of separate components needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If human operators perform classification and handling, then adaptability to variations is maintained, but costs increase and physical integrity is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates continuous feedback through camera monitoring that detects poultry position, orientation, and movement variations in real-time. This feedback is processed by the control system which automatically adjusts conveyance speeds, accumulator release timing, and hanging parameters to adapt to variations in poultry size, weight, and positioning, maintaining adaptability without human intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary classification and positioning actions before the hanging process. Cameras pre-scan and detect all poultry items, the accumulator device pre-organizes them in the correct sequence and orientation, and the conveyance system pre-positions them at optimal locations. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the hanging operation executes, all variations have already been accounted for, reducing the need for real-time human adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for automatic organization, hanging and driving of slaughtered animals installed at the outlet of a slaughtered animals processing station such as a chiller. The system comprises a receiving and aligning means of slaughtered animals in longitudinal position, which is previously disposed to an accumulator device of slaughtered animals positioned longitudinally. The system further comprises a suspension and movement assembly of each slaughtered animal from the axial alignment assembly to a driving guide of each slaughtered animal to a hanging transfer device of each animal slaughtered in the hanging line.