Robotic Carcass Manipulator for Hygienic Industrial Slaughter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for positioning and handling carcasses during industrial-scale animal slaughter are inflexible and lack control, particularly in terms of hygiene and precision, leading to challenges in maintaining meat quality and preventing cross-contamination.

Innovation Solution

A robotic system with a controlled manipulator, suction elements, and mechanical grippers is used to automatically position, handle, and transport carcasses, allowing for precise adaptation to individual meat shapes and sizes, while maintaining hygiene through intelligent control and cleaning mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual positioning and handling methods are used, then flexibility in handling different carcass shapes and sizes is improved, but hygiene control and precision are worsened leading to cross-contamination risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in handling different carcass shapes and sizesVSAvoidhygiene control and precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated robotic system that uses a manipulator equipped with adjustable gripping elements. This substitution maintains flexibility through programmable control while improving hygiene by eliminating direct human contact with carcasses, and enhances precision through controlled positioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic system incorporates self-cleaning functionality where the manipulator and gripping elements are automatically cleaned between handling different carcasses. This self-service cleaning mechanism maintains hygiene standards while the programmable control system adapts to different carcass shapes and sizes without requiring manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If mechanized positioning systems are used, then hygiene control and precision are improved, but flexibility and adaptability to varying carcass shapes and sizes are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehygiene control and precisionVSAvoidflexibility in handling different carcass shapes and sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic manipulator incorporates dynamically adjustable gripping elements that can change their configuration and positioning based on the detected shape and size of each carcass. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to maintain precise and hygienic handling while accommodating variations in carcass morphology through real-time parameter adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses programmable control parameters that can be modified to match different carcass characteristics. By changing operational parameters such as gripping force, manipulator speed, and positioning coordinates, the system maintains high precision and hygiene standards while adapting to various carcass shapes and sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If automated robotic systems are introduced, then productivity and precision are improved, but device complexity and investment costs are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity and investment requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic manipulator is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform multiple operations including gripping, positioning, and self-cleaning. This universality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems, thereby improving productivity while limiting the increase in overall system complexity and investment requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the positioning function, gripping mechanism, and cleaning system into a single integrated robotic manipulator. This merging of functions improves processing efficiency by eliminating the need for separate manual operations while controlling device complexity through integrated design rather than multiple independent systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enables efficient, precise, and hygienic handling and processing of carcasses, reducing manual labor and the risk of contamination, while allowing for flexible handling of complex shapes and sizes, thereby enhancing meat quality and processing efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an extractor connected to the at least one suction element for performing a suction effect in the suction element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS11785956B2Method and device for positioning and/or handling carcasses and/or carcass parts during the slaughter of animals on an industrial scale

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 HUMBOLDT INC

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device for automatically positioning and/or handling a carcass and/or carcass part during the slaughter of animals on an industrial scale and to a device for cutting a carcass and/or carcass part during the slaughter of animals on an industrial scale. The invention also relates to a method for automatically positioning and/or handling a carcass and/or carcass part of a slaughtered animal during the slaughter of animals on an industrial scale as well as a method for automatically cutting a carcass and/or carcass part of a slaughtered animal during the slaughter of animals on an industrial scale.