Electromechanical unit for the complete processing of babassu coconut.

Abstract

ELECTROMECHANICAL UNIT FOR COMPLETE PROCESSING OF BABASSU COCONUT. The electromechanical unit for complete processing of babassu coconut consists of electromechanically connected modules and several motors for processing the babassu coconut, completely separating its parts – epicarp, mesocarp, endocarp, and kernel – and grinding the mesocarp to transform it into flour. The unit has a feeding system with a conveyor belt, a machine for separating the babassu coconut into the aforementioned by-products, an exhaust system for bagging the crushed mesocarp, and equipment for breaking and separating the endocarp and kernel. It constitutes a complete innovation, as there is no equipment in the state of the art that fully processes the babassu coconut. There are only some similar ones that only crush the entire coconut, peel it, or crush it, without allowing for complete utilization, generating enormous processing costs, in addition to having low productivity.

Description

Electromechanical unit for the complete processing of babassu coconut. Field of invention

[001] The present invention relates to equipment for processing babassu coconut, composed of electromechanically connected modules and several motors for processing this fruit with the complete separation of its parts: epicarp, mesocarp, endocarp and kernel, providing its complete utilization. Fundamentals of the invention

[002] The existing similar machinery is limited to grinding babassu coconut for subsequent manual separation of its parts or to extracting the kernel intended mainly for oil production.

[003] In research on the state of the art of technical equipment for processing babassu coconut, some machines were identified that propose to process babassu coconut, without processing it in its entirety in the manner proposed by the equipment claimed here, highlighting those described below.

[004] The first machine, the subject of patent application PI0201773-3, is intended to cut and shred green coconut and then crush the shredded coconut into a wet wad, which must then go through a drying process and further processing into granules of green coconut powder and fiber by another piece of equipment.

[005] The second, the subject of patent application PI0306338-0, has the sole purpose of promoting the peeling of babassu coconut.

[006] The third, the subject of patent application PI0505824-4, consists of a set of machines for processing only green coconuts, promoting their crushing, pressing and separation of the fiber.

[007] The fourth, the subject of patent application PI0605353-0, constitutes a process for peeling coconuts, crushing the coconut shells and using the resulting residues. After leaving the crusher, the coconut shells are fragmented and the Petition 870260049719, dated 05 / 25 / 2026, page 25 / 49 2 / 5 of the waste is sent to a press for oil extraction and subsequently to a separator for further separation.

[008] Due to the limitations of this equipment, its economic viability is practically nonexistent, which is why it is used very little. None of them separate the parts of the babassu coconut, they only grind the whole coconut, peel it or crush it, without allowing for full utilization, and generating enormous processing costs.

[009] The objective of this invention is to construct equipment that is very different from existing state-of-the-art equipment, with the purpose of promoting the complete processing of babassu coconut, with the automatic separation of its 4 (four) parts in an efficient, fast and safe manner, allowing for the complete utilization of all of them: epicarp, mesocarp, endocarp and kernel. The separator operates continuously, with high productivity. In addition to the parts coming out separated, the mesocarp is already ground in the processing, being transformed into flour.

[010] The equipment also offers a high level of safety to the operator, minimizing physical and ergonomic risks, as its automatic operation eliminates the need for direct operator intervention in all stages of processing. Brief description of the drawings

[011] The equipment is described below for better understanding, in accordance with the attached figures where: Figure 1 represents an exploded view of the babassu coconut separating machine and its modules; Figure 2 represents a front orthogonal view of the modular machine; Figure 3 represents an enlarged exploded view of the babassu coconut separating machine; Figure 4 represents a view of the machine with a continuous conveyor belt for babassu coconuts; Figure 5 represents a view of the shaft assembly; Figure 6 represents a view of the machine structure with its components, without a top cover to allow visualization of the internal parts; Petition 870260049719, dated 05 / 25 / 2026, page 26 / 49 3 / 5 Figure 7 shows a view of the exhaust system and rotor; Figure 8 represents a view of the third modular stage chamber. Description of the invention

[012] The electromechanical assembly that is the subject of this application was developed to provide the most efficient processing of babassu coconut. It consists of a feeding system with a conveyor belt, a babassu coconut separating machine that aims to separate the coconut into its by-products, an exhaust system for bagging the crushed mesocarp, and equipment for breaking and separating the endocarp from the kernel. The modular assembly is easy to adjust and handle, with simplified maintenance.

[013] It can be seen from the aforementioned figures that the machine is fed with raw material, babassu coconut, through an inlet (1) in its upper part, causing the material to be processed to fall into the module of the shaft assembly with smaller cutters (12) in the larger split chamber (18), the internal mechanical assembly being isolated by means of two upper closing covers (2 and 3).

[014] That the equipment is supported by a metal chassis (10), integral with the box (25) which together with the covers (2 and 3) constitute the containment structure of the internal mechanical assemblies, the spindle shaft with smaller cutters (12) being supported by bearings (13 and 15) and driven by pulleys and belts (5) driven by the motor (6), fixed in a square-shaped support (7), arranged longitudinally to the structure, metal chassis, on the right side (10) and protected by a housing (4).

[015] That the box (25) is divided into a larger split chamber (18) and another split chamber (14), the larger one (18) being equipped with a set of cutters with smaller blades with larger spacing (11), fixed to the central axis (16) by means of L-shaped profiles (22), and the split chamber (14) containing the set of cutters with larger blades closer together (23), also fixed to the central axis (16) by means of L-shaped profiles (24), where the cutters remain protected by confinement cages (20 and 21). Petition 870260049719, dated 05 / 25 / 2026, page 27 / 49 4 / 5

[016] That the side drive shaft (19) of the other modules is moved by pulley and belt (35) and supported on the structure (10) by means of two bearings (8).

[017] That the passage from stage two to stage three (17) takes place on the stage divider plate (26) to the centrifugal chamber which is in the shaft assembly (12).

[018] That the exhausters (9) located in the lower part of the structure (10) are connected below the larger split chamber (18) and the split chamber (14), respectively on their flanges, tapered parts (27 and 28), these exhausters (9) being equipped with independent motors (29) that drive the rotors (30) in order to remove the mesocarp and epicarp from the machine in a first and second stage; at the end of the third stage the endocarp and almond are obtained through a duct, which fall onto a separation table, which aims to separate them.

[019] That the module containing the larger cutters, the cage (39), consists of a cage and half-cages (20 and 21) which are fixed by junction plates (31), where the lower part (21) has a support (32) that rests on the split chamber (14), containing a square opening (33) through which the central square shaft (16) passes for joining the two half-cages;

[020] That the larger split chamber (18) has an upper drum (34) for protecting the smaller cutting blade assembly (11), the upper drum being attached to the structure by supports (36), and has an inspection window (37) that is accessed through the larger window (38) of the machine cover (2).

[021] That the other cage (39) which also contains a lower semi-cage (41) and an upper semi-cage (40), is accommodated inside the split chamber (14), between two stage dividing plates (26 and 42) receiving the material from the set of smaller cutters (12) passing through the lower opening (43).

[022] That the drag conveyor (44) fixed in vertical support brackets (45) and support shoes (46), drags the raw unprocessed coconut to the intake at the entrance of the machine (1), being driven by a motor assembly (47). Petition 870260049719, dated 05 / 25 / 2026, page 28 / 49 5 / 5

[023] That the babassu coconut separation assembly is controlled by an electrical panel (48) installed close to the drive motor of the shaft (12).

[024] That the exhaust fans (9) are connected to the flanges of the larger chamber and split chamber (27 and 28) and have independent piping from each other (50 and 51). Examples of embodiments of the invention

[025] The invention described here promotes the complete processing of babassu coconut, allowing the use of all its parts, with a high degree of productivity, far beyond that of any existing equipment, and is therefore incomparable to them.

[026] As it is estimated that less than 1% of the babassu fruit produced each year in the country is used, the machine that is the subject of this patent claim, which has the capacity to process 2 (two) tons of babassu coconut per hour, will enable a tremendous increase in the use of this rich product of Brazilian nature.

[027] Currently, almost all processing of babaçu coconut is done by the “quebradeiras”, who with great difficulty extract only the kernel from the fruit.

[028] The electromechanical assembly discussed here represents a revolution in the field because, for its operation, it will need to acquire babassu coconuts at a similar price per kilo to that currently sold for the kernel produced by the "crackers," which represents only 7% of the total fruit. With this, the revenue from the same harvested product, without the exhausting work of cracking, will be about 10 times greater. This new equipment will need to acquire a large quantity of babassu coconuts, leading to an exponential increase in the income of farmers dedicated to harvesting the fruit.

[029] Due to the very high production of babassu in the country, the machine whose patent is claimed will enable a large increase in the economy of the respective regions.

Claims

1. ELECTROMECHANICAL ASSEMBLY FOR COMPLETE PROCESSING OF BABAÇU COCONUT, comprising a drag conveyor (44) to convey the raw material to the entrance (1) at the top, wherein the drag conveyor (44) is supported by vertical supports (45) and support shoes (46) ending at the raw material inlet nozzle (1) to be processed, being driven by a reduction motor (47); the drive being via a power panel (48), positioned next to the drive motor of the shaft and supported by a side structure (49); the internal mechanical assembly being protected by two upper closing covers (2 and 3); by a shaft (12) supported by bearings (13 and 15), driven by belt and pulleys (5) and driven by the motor (6), these fixed on a platform (7), arranged laterally on the chassis (10) on the right side and protected by a housing (4); being supported by a metal chassis (10), attached to the box (25);and characterized by comprising a smaller cutter shaft (12) in the larger split chamber (18); by a housing (25), divided into a larger split chamber (18), which houses the set of smaller cutting blades (11), fixed to the central shaft (16) by means of L-shaped profiles (22), and a split chamber (14), which houses the set of larger cutting blades (23), also fixed to the central shaft (16) by means of L-shaped profiles (22) and protected by a cage and a confinement semi-cage (20 and 21); by a side shaft (19), which drives other machine modules via belts and pulleys (35), and is supported by bearings (8) fixed to the machine chassis (10);through a passage between stages two and three (17), arranged in the dividing plate (26) for the centrifugal chamber that is in the shaft assembly (12) and two exhaust systems (9) that are in the lower part of the structure (10), connected below the larger split chamber (18) and the split chamber (14) respectively to their flanges (27 and 28), equipped with independent motors (29) that drive the rotor (30); the chamber containing the larger cutting blades (23) being constituted by the cage and semi-cage (20 and 21), these fixed by plate on tabs (31) of the cage, in which the lower part (21) has a support (32) that rests on the split chamber (14) and Petition 870260049719, of 25 / 05 / 2026, page 35 / 49; 2 / 2 also has an opening (33) through which the central square shaft (16) passes; the larger split chamber (18) contains an upper semi-drum (34) for protection of the smaller cutting blade assembly (11), this semi-drum (34) being fixed to the structure of the mechanical assembly by supports (36) which also support the lower semi-drum, the upper cage having an inspection window (37) coinciding with the larger window (38) of the upper cover of the machine (2); cage (39) composed of upper (40) and lower (41) semi-cages which is housed inside the split chamber (14), between two plates (26 and 42), receiving the material coming from the smaller cutting blade assembly (12), passing through the lower opening (43); and the exhaust fan (9) connected to the respective flange (27 and 28) of the larger chamber and the split chamber, having independent pipes (50 and 51) from each other.

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