Rotating Freezer Emptying Arm for Gentle Block Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emptying devices for vertical freezers on fishing vessels are impractical due to high space requirements, damage to frozen blocks, and limited automation, making them unsuitable for onboard use.
Innovation Solution
A compact emptying device with a rotating, telescopic lifting arm and a gripping tool with a large contact area to gently handle blocks, allowing for efficient transfer to a transport system without obstructing the transport path, and enabling simultaneous emptying of multiple freezers with minimal space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a clamp of the scissor type is used to grip blocks, then the blocks can be lifted and transported, but the blocks are easily damaged due to great local squeeze forces and small contact area
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping tool uses multiple gripping elements (fingers) that distribute the gripping force across multiple local contact points on the block surface. This transforms the concentrated local squeeze force of a scissor clamp into distributed localized forces, reducing the risk of block damage while maintaining effective grip.
Solution Approach 2:
The single scissor clamp is segmented into multiple independent gripping fingers. Each finger can independently contact and grip the block, dividing the total gripping force into several smaller forces applied at different locations, thereby reducing local stress concentration and preventing block damage.
2Productivity
If heating rods are frozen firmly into the blocks to lift them, then all blocks can be lifted by the arm, but the column requires large space for turning movement and cannot serve multiple freezers
Solution Approach 1:
The emptying device transitions from a fixed column structure to a mobile robotic arm that can move along the freezer chamber. This dynamic positioning capability allows the device to serve multiple freezer chambers sequentially without requiring large turning spaces, while still enabling batch lifting of blocks through the robotic gripper.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic emptying device is designed to serve multiple freezer chambers by moving along the freezer structure. Instead of being dedicated to a single fixed position, the device can sequentially empty different freezers, reducing the total number of emptying devices needed and optimizing space utilization on fishing vessels.
3Reliability
If a fixed column with heating rods is used, then blocks can be lifted, but the column cannot be moved along freezers to reduce investment cost per freezer
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed column structure is replaced with a mobile robotic arm that can dynamically reposition itself to serve multiple freezer chambers. The robotic system maintains reliable block lifting capability through controlled gripping mechanisms while gaining the versatility to empty different freezers by moving along the freezer structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes from a static configuration to a dynamic one where the emptying device can adjust its position and orientation. This parameter change enables the same device to adapt to multiple freezer chambers, reducing the need for dedicated equipment at each position and lowering investment costs per freezer.
4Extent of automation
If rail systems are installed on the lower surface above deck for block transport, then automatic block transport is achieved, but the system requires great deck height and rails can get in the way of the replacement band
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using horizontal rail systems that require significant deck height, the invention utilizes the vertical dimension by having the robotic arm lift blocks above the freezer chamber and place them directly onto transport equipment. This vertical lifting approach eliminates the need for overhead rails and reduces deck height requirements while maintaining automated transport capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an emptying device for vertical freezers (7) particularly freezers for fast-freezing of fish and other seafood products, comprising a number of vertically arranged freezer plates between which freezer chambers are defined for freezing of blocks (12), wherein a transport system extends along the freezers. The invention is characterized in that the emptying device comprises a lifting arm (2) and a gripping tool (5), wherein the lifting arm (2) can be rotated at least about 90° about an essentially vertical axis, wherein the lifting arm (2) is adapted to move along the freezers (7).