Shrimp Positioning via Segmented Sliding Chute Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical positioning systems for shrimp in shrimp peeling apparatuses have limited throughput capacity due to congestion issues and inaccuracies in positioning, especially when dealing with natural variations in shrimp shape and stickiness, leading to inefficiencies and potential peeling apparatus failures.
Innovation Solution
A positioning apparatus using a sliding chute assembly with multiple sliding chutes arranged next to each other on an endless conveyor belt, where each chute has an inclination trajectory, allowing shrimp to be positioned with their back facing a predetermined side, and control means for slowing or stopping shrimp for precise transfer, combined with separation walls and turn-around blowing means to maintain orientation and spacing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single stationary sliding chute is used for shrimp positioning, then the positioning accuracy is maintained, but the throughput capacity is limited to about 1 shrimp per second
Solution Approach 1:
The single sliding chute is divided into multiple sliding chutes (at least two) that operate in parallel. Each chute receives shrimp from separate supply locations and deposits them at different positions along the output row, enabling simultaneous processing of multiple shrimp and increasing throughput capacity while maintaining positioning accuracy through individual chute control
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding chutes are arranged at different angular positions around the circular path, utilizing the circumferential dimension to create multiple independent positioning stations. This spatial arrangement allows parallel processing without increasing the footprint significantly, as chutes are distributed around the circle rather than linearly
2Productivity
If shrimp are supplied quickly to a single sliding chute, then throughput is increased, but congestions occur in the chute
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sliding chutes distribute the shrimp load across several independent channels, preventing any single chute from becoming congested. Each chute handles a portion of the total shrimp flow, maintaining reliable operation even at higher supply speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes periodic release of shrimp from each chute in a coordinated sequence around the circular path. This rhythmic, staggered release pattern ensures that shrimp are deposited at optimal intervals, preventing congestion while maintaining high throughput
3Productivity
If multiple sliding chutes are arranged around a circular path, then throughput capacity increases to 4-5 times higher, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sliding chutes and their support structures are integrated onto a single endless conveyor belt that provides a common circular support path. This merging of multiple independent chutes into a unified rotating system reduces overall complexity by sharing the conveyor infrastructure across all chutes
Solution Approach 2:
The endless conveyor belt serves multiple functions: it supports all sliding chutes, provides the circular motion for periodic release, and coordinates the timing of shrimp deposition. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate control mechanisms for each chute, simplifying the overall system
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
This configuration significantly increases the throughput capacity of the positioning system, enabling 4 to 5 times higher shrimp peeling rates compared to single stationary chutes, ensuring accurate positioning and maintaining a high shrimp density while preventing congestion, thus optimizing the peeling apparatus's capacity.
Implementation Method 1
a sliding chute may be used to achieve, based on gravitation, that shrimp come to lie with the back facing towards a predetermined side
Implementation Method 2
This tendency may still be enhanced by blowing means creating a slight upwardly directed blowing flow in the sliding chute
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In the positioning of shrimp (30) in a predetermined orientation, there is applied a sliding chute assembly (7), which comprises an endless conveyor belt (10) and multiple sliding chutes (9) for shrimp, said sliding chutes being held by the endless conveyor belt and being arranged next to one another. Each sliding chute is an instrument for at least partly positioning of a shrimp. Shrimp, which have been positioned by the sliding chutes, are dispensed from the sliding chutes in a shrimp dispensing trajectory (53) of the endless conveyor belt and, in a shrimp receiving trajectory (54) of the output conveying means (8), are supplied to a singulated output row (52) of positioned shrimp. Thanks to the sliding chute assembly (7) and the output conveying means (8), co-operating therewith, the throughput capacity is considerably increased in the positioning of shrimp.