Robotic Egg Relocation Apparatus for In Ovo Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated egg candling and relocation systems are inefficient in distinguishing and relocating non-live eggs, often using suction cups that make it impractical to place non-live eggs in specific locations, such as egg cartons, and do not adequately reduce contamination or costs in the poultry industry.
Innovation Solution
An automated egg candling and relocation apparatus that uses a tray-conveying system, a candling light source, a camera for detection, and a robotic arm with a flexible suction cup to rapidly identify and remove non-live eggs from a mixed batch, and relocate them to a specific location, such as an egg carton, while maintaining high accuracy and minimizing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automated egg removal apparatus use arrays of suction cups, then egg removal automation is achieved, but the ability to place non-live eggs in discrete locations is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the egg handling process into distinct functions: detection (candling), decision-making (processing), and execution (robotic arm with single suction cup). This segmentation allows the robotic arm to individually pick and place eggs at specific locations, unlike array-based systems that cannot achieve precise discrete placement.
Solution Approach 2:
A single robotic arm with a controllable suction cup acts as an intermediary between the detection system and the final egg placement. This intermediary can precisely control egg pickup and release at specific coordinates, enabling both automation and precise placement in discrete locations like egg cartons.
2Measurement precision
If automated egg candling and relocation systems are used, then discrimination capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple functions into a single integrated platform: candling for detection, image processing for discrimination, and robotic manipulation for relocation. This multi-functionality achieves high discrimination capability while managing complexity through unified system architecture rather than separate independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical inspection and handling with automated optical detection (candling with camera) and controlled robotic manipulation. This substitution improves measurement precision through optical means while the robotic system provides controlled, repeatable actions that manage overall complexity.
3Productivity
If rapid egg identification and removal is implemented, then productivity is improved, but contamination risk may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts non-live eggs from the batch through automated detection and removal. By identifying and removing contaminated or non-viable eggs rapidly through the candling and robotic removal process, the overall contamination risk to the remaining live eggs is reduced while maintaining high processing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the egg's own optical properties (translucency, internal structure visible through candling) to automatically identify its viability status. This self-characterization enables rapid discrimination without external intervention, allowing fast processing while minimizing handling and potential contamination.
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 apparatus achieves 99.9% accuracy in identifying and relocating non-live eggs, ensuring only live eggs remain for further processing, reducing contamination and costs by efficiently separating and relocating non-live eggs, and can be integrated with in ovo injection systems for vaccine delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum system, for reversibly supplying suction to eggs
Implementation Method 2
a candling light source, which is configured to direct light at the plurality of eggs. The apparatus also comprises a means for detecting the light that is able to pass through the eggs
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a candling apparatus for the rapid discrimination, removal and relocation of non-live avian eggs. The invention further relates to methods of use of the candling apparatus for the candling, removal and relocation of avian eggs.