V-Shaped Retaining Means for Poultry Conveyor Chain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing barb chains used in poultry conveyors have weak penetration, leading to inadequate retention and frequent laceration of products, resulting in poor cutting performance and frequent conveyor line stoppages for replacement, affecting profitability.
Innovation Solution
A chain conveyor with V-shaped retaining means inclined at an angle of 30-70°, preferably 45°, featuring a sturdy trapezoidal plate with sharp edges and a reinforcing leg, providing improved retention and penetration without laceration, and a basket-like design to prevent tilting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pointed pins are used for product retention, then the chain can penetrate products, but the penetration is weak and causes laceration of soft products like poultry
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the retaining means from simple pointed pins to V-shaped pieces with specific inclination angles (30-70 degrees) and dimensional proportions. This parameter optimization allows the retaining means to penetrate soft products effectively while distributing the penetration force to avoid laceration, thus improving reliability without causing harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining means are constructed as composite structures combining a V-shaped piece with specific geometric features (inclined surfaces, sharp edges, and basket-like configurations) integrated with the chain links. This composite design provides both the penetration capability and the gentle retention surface needed to handle soft products without damage.
2Device complexity
If thin pins are used to reduce chain complexity, then manufacturing is easier, but the pins deform frequently requiring conveyor stoppage and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the dimensional parameters of the retaining means, specifically increasing the thickness and overall size of the V-shaped pieces compared to traditional thin pins. This parameter change enhances structural strength and resistance to deformation while maintaining reasonable chain complexity through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining means are designed as segmented V-shaped pieces that can be integrated into individual outer links or distributed across multiple links. This segmentation allows for localized reinforcement where needed while maintaining overall chain flexibility and manageable complexity.
3Device complexity
If traditional horizontal pins are used, then the chain structure is simple, but products are poorly held and cutting separation is incorrect
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces asymmetry by inclining the V-shaped retaining pieces at specific angles (30-70 degrees) relative to the chain's longitudinal axis rather than using horizontal symmetry. This asymmetric configuration creates directional retention forces that properly hold products during conveyance and enable correct cutting separation, while the angular design remains manufacturable.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining means transition from simple horizontal pins (one-dimensional retention) to V-shaped inclined pieces that utilize angular geometry and create three-dimensional retention zones. This dimensional enhancement provides superior product holding capability through the combination of inclination angle, V-shape geometry, and vertical projection above the chain links.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a chain conveyor chain for agri-food products, such as poultry for example, comprising a central longitudinal axis (19) and a central longitudinal plane of symmetry (20), said chain (15) being intended to move in a complementary chain path (16), and consisting of a succession of so-called inner links (17) and so-called outer links (18) articulated in pairs by axes (25), a plurality of outer links (18) and/or inner links (17) comprising retaining means (26) projecting above said links (17,18); said chain is remarkable in that said retaining means (26) consist of a V-shaped piece inclined at an angle α with respect to the longitudinal axis (19) of the chain (15), extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal plane of symmetry (20) of said chain (15), and whose base is integral with a link (17,18).The V-shaped arms of the part form product retention studs and the inclination of said retention part provides good product retention without tearing the products, preventing in particular the products from tipping along the conveyor path.