Poultry Shackle Alignment via Turning Block Pins

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing poultry processing systems face issues with accidental rotation of suspension hooks due to external obstructions, leading to potential damage or defective products, and require simpler, less complex, and cost-effective alignment solutions.

Innovation Solution

A conveyor system with a turning block alignment device featuring projecting pins and peripheral surfaces/slots that ensure the turning block, shackle, and carcass are always oriented correctly before processing stations, using magnets for retention in indexed positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lateral side guides are used to maintain shackle orientation, then alignment reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the lateral side guides from the system and replaces them with an alignment device that uses projecting pins engaging with peripheral surfaces and slots on the turning block. This extraction of unnecessary components simplifies the overall system while maintaining alignment functionality through the turning block's geometric features alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The turning block is designed with self-aligning geometric features (peripheral surfaces and slots) that automatically guide the projecting pins to achieve proper orientation. The system uses its own structural characteristics rather than external guiding mechanisms, allowing the turning block to self-correct its orientation without additional complex devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Stability of the object's composition

If yieldable indexing arrangement is used to retain orientation, then orientation retention is improved, but vulnerability to external obstructions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorientation retentionVSAvoidvulnerability to external obstructions

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment device uses projecting pins that engage with peripheral surfaces and slots on the turning block to preliminarily establish the correct orientation before the carcass reaches the processing station. This preliminary alignment action ensures proper positioning in advance, preventing the need for complex retention mechanisms that would be vulnerable to obstructions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional yieldable indexing arrangement (spring biased ball and detent) with a geometric constraint system using projecting pins and peripheral surfaces/slots. This substitution eliminates the mechanical retention mechanism that was vulnerable to external obstructions while maintaining orientation through purely geometric engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If turning block alignment device with projecting pins and slots is used, then alignment reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The turning block features asymmetric peripheral surfaces and slots that are specifically shaped to engage with the projecting pins. This asymmetric geometry provides unique alignment characteristics that ensure reliable orientation while being manufacturable through standard machining processes. The asymmetric features are integrated into the turning block as a single component, avoiding the need for multiple separate parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 system reliably maintains proper orientation of poultry carcasses, reducing damage to processing stations and defective products by ensuring consistent alignment, even in the absence of lateral side guides.

Implementation Method 1

using magnets for retention in indexed positions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS8678176B2Shackle alignment system and method

Publication Date: 2014.03.25 FOODMATE

AI summary

A conveyor is disclosed for moving and positioning objects along a conveyor path. The conveyor includes a conveyor rail extending along the conveyor path and at least one carriage having a rotatable article support mounted for movement along the conveyor rail. A turning block associated with the rotatable article support facilitates rotatable movement of the article support when the turning block is rotated. The conveyor further includes an aligning station for rotating the article support into a predetermined position when the turning block passes through the aligning station as the article support moves through the aligning station. The turning may be formed with a first disk with a first perimeter contour and a second disk with a second perimeter contour. The alignment station has projections in the form of pins for engaging the second disk as needed for rotating the turning block and article support between indexed orientations until the article support is oriented in a predetermined desired orientation. The article support may be a poultry shackle for suspending poultry carcasses and moving them along the conveyor path.