Poultry Shackle Pivot Mechanism for Orientation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing poultry shackle systems face issues with improper animal orientation during processing, leading to interference, inefficient processing operations, and equipment damage due to prone pivot mechanisms and the need for drag-back chains, which cause multiple shackles to be affected by a single issue.
Innovation Solution
A shackle design with an improved pivot mechanism and log chain drive system that allows controlled orientation changes, preventing rearward movement and maintaining vertical positioning without drag-back chains, using a channel and bolt mechanism to ensure independent operation and reduce interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional pivot mechanism with drag-back chain is used to control shackle orientation, then animal orientation can be maintained during processing, but the system complexity increases and reliability decreases due to multiple interconnected shackles being affected by a single issue
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the shackle system into independent individual shackles, each with its own pivot mechanism, eliminating the need for drag-back chains that connect multiple shackles. This segmentation allows each shackle to operate independently, improving reliability while maintaining orientation control through a simpler, isolated mechanism design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes the drag-back chain component from the system entirely, extracting the problematic element that caused multiple shackles to be affected by single issues. The orientation control function is achieved through an alternative mechanism that does not require inter-shackle connections, reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the conveyor slopes downwardly with a concave radius, then the processing line can be lowered, but the shackles' orientation changes causing physical contact and interference between adjacent animals
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a dynamic pivot mechanism that allows each shackle to automatically adjust its orientation in response to conveyor slope changes. The pivot mechanism enables the shackle to rotate and maintain proper animal orientation whether the conveyor is horizontal, sloping upward with convex radius, or sloping downward with concave radius, preventing animal interference across all operating conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the conveyor slopes upwardly with a convex radius, then the processing line can be raised, but the shackles' orientation changes causing radial spreading that may interfere with processing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot mechanism dynamically responds to upward conveyor slopes by allowing controlled rotation of the shackle, maintaining optimal animal orientation even when the conveyor raises with convex radius. This dynamic adjustment prevents radial spreading from causing processing interference while preserving the ability to adjust the processing line height.
4Device complexity
If shackles are allowed to move freely during horizontal transport, then the system is simpler, but processing operation efficacy decreases due to improper animal orientation from rearward forces
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot mechanism is designed as a self-regulating system that automatically maintains proper animal orientation during horizontal transport without requiring external control systems. The mechanism self-adjusts in response to rearward forces from processing operations, eliminating the need for complex active control while preserving processing efficacy through automatic orientation maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for retaining an animal on a transport system for moving the animal in a forward direction includes a lower portion operable to retain the animal and an upper portion operable for conveyance by the transport system. The upper portion is attachable to the lower portion, and the upper portion includes a connector for connecting the device to a drive mechanism. The connector has a longitudinal axis. The lower portion is operable for movement between a first position in which a longitudinal axis of the lower portion and the longitudinal axis of the connector are in substantially straight orientation relative to each other, and a second position wherein the longitudinal axis of the lower portion and the longitudinal axis of the connector are in substantially angled orientation relative to one another. The lower portion is substantially inhibited from moving in a rearward direction beyond said first position.