Synchronized Operator Conveyor for Poultry Hanging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Slaughterhouses face challenges in processing high volumes of poultry at speeds that leave operators insufficient time to hang poultry in all carriers on overhead conveyors, resulting in empty carriers.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a second conveyor that carries the operator alongside the first conveyor, allowing the operator to pick and hang poultry from carriers moving at a synchronized but slower speed, with the second conveyor being a carousel or endless belt/platform arrangement below the overhead conveyor section, ensuring continuous supply of empty carriers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the speed of the overhead conveyor is increased to meet high processing volumes, then productivity increases, but the operator has insufficient time to hang poultry in all carriers, resulting in empty carriers
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the conveyor system into two separate conveyors: a first conveyor that transports poultry to the hanging position, and a second conveyor that transports the operator alongside the overhead conveyor. This segmentation allows independent speed control of each conveyor, enabling the overhead conveyor to maintain high speed for productivity while the second conveyor adjusts to provide the operator with adequate time to hang poultry in each carrier.
2Speed
If the operator remains stationary while carriers move at high speed, then the overhead conveyor maintains high speed, but the operator cannot keep up with the carriers, leaving them empty
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the operator's movement with the carrier movement by introducing a second conveyor that transports the operator alongside the overhead conveyor. Both conveyors move in the same direction, creating a synchronized system where the operator travels with the carriers at a reduced relative speed, making it easier to hang poultry in each carrier while maintaining high overall productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for hanging poultry in an overhead conveyor provided with carriers and can include an overhead-conveyor-section of the overhead conveyor and a first conveyor for conveying the poultry towards a section thereof being below the overhead-conveyor-section. The poultry can be conveyed by the first conveyor towards the section. An operator picks the poultry or parts thereof and hangs the poultry in the carriers being conveyed along the overhead-conveyor-section. The operator may be carried via a second conveyor beside the section of the first conveyor and in the direction of the carriers in the overhead-conveyor-section while the operator is picking and hanging the poultry.