A new type of areca nut deseeding machine

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of food processing machinery, and more particularly to a novel areca nut deseeding machine, which can simulate the manual deseeding action of areca nuts. By stably clamping the areca nuts, it effectively removes the areca nut kernels. It includes a base and a fixed frame, with the fixed frame mounted on the base. The machine is characterized by including a vibration mechanism, a horizontal frame, a horizontal screw module, a vertical slide module, a cutter holder, a cutter head, and a clamping mechanism. The vibration mechanism is mounted on the base, the horizontal frame is mounted on the vibration mechanism, the horizontal screw module is mounted on the horizontal frame, the vertical slide module slides against the horizontal frame via the horizontal screw module, the cutter holder is mounted on the vertical slide module, the cutter head is detachably connected to the cutter holder, and the clamping mechanism is mounted on the fixed frame and located above the cutter head. This design prevents the areca nuts from being squeezed or deformed during clamping and allows for complete adhesion to the outer surface of the spindle-shaped areca nut.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of food processing machinery, and in particular to a novel areca nut deseeding machine. Background Technology

[0002] In the food processing of betel nuts, the kernel needs to be removed. This step is generally called the betel nut deseeding step. Currently, the deseeding step of betel nuts is generally done manually. This involves inserting a hand-held digger into the cut betel nut and separating the kernel from the pulp.

[0003] Currently, there is a desire to automate this process in existing technologies, leading to the design of several areca nut deseeding machines. Examples include a deseeding machine for areca nuts disclosed in Chinese patent CN202123248695.X, and a areca nut pitting device disclosed in Chinese patent CN215531439U. Both designs aim to first securely fix the areca nut in place, and then have a blade remove the pit from the fixed position.

[0004] However, this crucial step in the entire areca nut production process is difficult to automate. This is because areca nuts vary in size, and even with automated conveyor lines for transporting and gripping them, the position, kernel size, and depth of the areca nuts cannot be consistently controlled. Furthermore, the hardness of the areca nut pulp varies, as do the kernel size and the degree of adhesion between the kernel and the pulp. Therefore, using a fixed method to directly cut off the kernel makes it difficult to simulate the human hand-removal action of removing the kernel. Moreover, using a fixed cutter can easily result in kernel residue or the removal of excess pulp.

[0005] In conclusion, the structural design of the areca nut seed removal process in the current technology still needs improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In response to the problems mentioned in the background art, the present invention provides a novel areca nut deseeding machine that can simulate the manual deseeding action of areca nuts. By stably clamping the areca nuts, the machine can effectively remove the areca nut kernels.

[0007] The above-mentioned technical objective of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solution: a novel areca nut deseeding machine, comprising a base and a fixed frame, wherein the fixed frame is mounted on the base, characterized in that it comprises a vibration mechanism, a horizontal frame, a horizontal screw module, a vertical slide module, a cutter holder, a cutter head, and a clamping mechanism, wherein the vibration mechanism is mounted on the base, the horizontal frame is mounted on the vibration mechanism, the horizontal screw module is mounted on the horizontal frame, the vertical slide module is slidably engaged with the horizontal frame through the horizontal screw module, the cutter holder is mounted on the vertical slide module, the cutter head is detachably connected to the cutter holder, and the clamping mechanism is mounted on the fixed frame and located above the cutter head.

[0008] Preferably, the system also includes a limiting bolt and a compression spring. The limiting bolt passes through the tool holder and the compression spring in sequence and is screwed onto the vertical slide module. One end of the compression spring abuts against the vertical slide module, and the other end abuts against the tool holder.

[0009] Preferably, the clamping mechanism includes a horizontal connecting frame, a vertical connecting frame, a gripper cylinder, and an elastic gripper mechanism. The horizontal connecting frame is mounted on a fixed frame, the vertical connecting frame is mounted on the horizontal connecting frame and slides with the horizontal connecting frame, the cylinder body of the gripper cylinder is mounted on the vertical connecting frame, and an elastic gripper mechanism is mounted on the gripper arm of the gripper cylinder.

[0010] Preferably, each elastic gripper mechanism includes a fixed block and several elastic pressure blocks. Each elastic pressure block includes a compression spring, a top rod, a support block, and a pressure block. The fixed block is mounted on the gripper arm. The compression spring is located inside the fixed block and abuts against the fixed block at one end and against the top rod at the other end. The support block and the pressure block are sequentially mounted on the end of the top rod. The bottom of the support block is provided with an insert plate.

[0011] Preferably, the device also includes a pressing cylinder, a second fixed block, and several second elastic pressing blocks. The cylinder body of the pressing cylinder is mounted on a vertical connecting frame. The telescopic end of the pressing cylinder is connected to the second fixed block. The second fixed block is located above the first pressing block. The second elastic pressing block includes a third compression spring, a second push rod, and a second pressing block. The third compression spring is located inside the second fixed block and abuts against the second fixed block at one end and against the second push rod at the other end. The second pressing block is provided at the bottom of the second push rod, and the bottom of the second pressing block is provided with a groove for engaging with the areca nut shell.

[0012] Preferably, the support block and the insert plate are integrally formed parts.

[0013] Preferably, the pressure block is made of an elastic material.

[0014] Preferably, the blade head has a bent portion.

[0015] In summary, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: The present invention can prevent the areca nut from being squeezed and deformed during the picking process, and can completely adhere to the surface of the spindle-shaped areca nut shell, thereby simulating the force and stability of human hand when removing the areca nut kernel. At the same time, the blade does not directly cut the kernel during the kernel removal process, but inserts the vibrating mechanism and the upward-curved blade into the gap between the kernel and the pulp of the areca nut, imitating the process of manually removing the kernel by inserting it into the pulp and prying the kernel at the same time. This can achieve complete removal of the areca nut kernel while preventing damage to the pulp, and can also effectively prevent the kernel from remaining in the pulp. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention. Figure 2 ;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cutter head portion of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the cutting head portion of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the cutter head of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the clamping mechanism of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the clamping mechanism of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0023] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the clamping mechanism of the present invention. Figure 2 ;

[0024] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the support block of the present invention.

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Base; 2. Fixing frame; 3. Vibration mechanism; 4. Horizontal frame; 5. Horizontal lead screw module; 6. Vertical slide module; 7. Tool holder; 8. Tool head; 81. Bending part; 9. Clamping mechanism; 10. Limit bolt; 11. Compression spring one; 12. Horizontal connecting frame; 13. Vertical connecting frame; 14. Grip cylinder; 15. Elastic gripper mechanism; 16. Grip arm; 17. Fixing block one; 18. Compression spring two; 19. Top rod one; 20. Support block one; 21. Pressure block one; 22. Insert plate; 23. Downward pressure cylinder; 24. Fixing block two; 25. Compression spring three; 26. Top rod two; 27. Pressure block two. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] In practical implementation, the novel areca nut deseeding machine of the present invention includes a base 1 and a fixed frame 2. The fixed frame 2 is installed on the base 1 and can be integrally formed with the base 1. It includes a vibration mechanism 3, a horizontal frame 4, a horizontal screw module 5, a vertical slide module 6, a cutter holder 7, a cutter head 8, and a clamping mechanism 9. The vibration mechanism 3 is installed on the base 1, the horizontal frame 4 is installed on the vibration mechanism 3, the horizontal screw module 5 is installed on the horizontal frame 4, the vertical slide module 6 is slidably engaged with the horizontal frame 4 through the horizontal screw module 5, the cutter holder 7 is installed on the vertical slide module 6, the cutter head 8 is detachably connected to the cutter holder 7, and the clamping mechanism 9 is installed on the fixed frame 2 and located above the cutter head 8. The clamping mechanism 9 can slide with the fixed frame 2. In actual operation, the clamping mechanism 9 first clamps the areca nuts from the workbench of other stations and transports them to the designated position. The horizontal screw module 5 drives the vertical slide module 6 to approach the clamping mechanism 9. The vertical slide module 6 has a motor screw drive module. Through the internal motor screw drive, the vertical slide module 6 is raised relative to the horizontal frame 4, so that the cutter head 8 is close to the areca nuts below the clamping mechanism 9. During the movement of the areca nuts by the clamping mechanism 9, an external camera will take pictures of the bottom of the cut areca nuts to obtain the size of the kernel in the areca nuts and the starting and ending positions when removing the kernel. The movement of the horizontal screw module 5 and the vertical slide module 6 makes the cutter head 8 located below the starting position of the areca nut kernel.

[0028] At this time, the vibration mechanism 3 drives the entire vertical slide module 6 and the horizontal frame 4 to vibrate, which in turn causes the cutter head 8 to start vibrating. The vertical slide module 6 and the horizontal screw module 5 will continue to drive the cutter head 8 to move upward and forward, so that the cutter head 8 enters the areca nut to dig out the kernel. At the same time, the cutter head 8 is provided with a bending part 81, which can more conveniently dig out the kernel, so that the kernel will not be left behind.

[0029] It also includes a limiting bolt 10 and a compression spring 11. The limiting bolt 10 passes through the knife holder 7 and the compression spring 11 in sequence and is screwed to the vertical slide module 6. One end of the compression spring 11 abuts against the vertical slide module 6, and the other end abuts against the knife holder 7. When the end of the blade 8 is inserted into the gap between the pulp and the pit, it will not be completely error-free. It is possible that the end of the blade 8 is in contact with the pit but does not insert into the gap between the pit and the pulp. Therefore, because the pit is relatively hard, the force of the blade 8 will be further transmitted to the compression spring 11, causing the compression spring 11 to be compressed. However, this force is not released. At this time, due to the vibration effect of the vibration mechanism 3, the blade 8 will vibrate at the edge of the pit. Once the vibration of the blade 8 enters the pulp, the force of the compression spring 11 will be further applied to the blade 8, causing the blade 8 to insert into the edge of the pulp and the pit, thereby realizing the accurate digging action of the pit.

[0030] The removal of areca nuts requires maintaining a stable position for the areca nuts, so the clamping action and clamping effect of the clamping mechanism 9 must remain stable. The clamping mechanism 9 includes a horizontal connecting frame 12, a vertical connecting frame 13, a gripper cylinder 14, and an elastic gripper mechanism 15. The horizontal connecting frame 12 is mounted on the fixed frame 2, and the vertical connecting frame 13 is mounted on the horizontal connecting frame 12 and slides in cooperation with the horizontal connecting frame 12. The cylinder body of the gripper cylinder 14 is mounted on the vertical connecting frame 13, and the elastic gripper mechanism 15 is mounted on the gripper arm 16 of the gripper cylinder 14. The elastic gripper mechanism 15 includes a fixed block 17 and several elastic pressure blocks. Each elastic pressure block includes a compression spring 18, a top rod 19, a support block 20, and a pressure block 21. The fixed block 17 is mounted on the gripper arm 16. The compression spring 18 is located inside the fixed block 17 and abuts against the fixed block 17 at one end and against the top rod 19 at the other end. The support block 20 and the pressure block 21 are sequentially mounted on the end of the top rod 19. The bottom of the support block 20 is provided with an insert plate 22.

[0031] The horizontal connecting frame 12 can slide with the fixed frame 2. The horizontal connecting frame 12 has a slotted groove, and the vertical connecting frame 13 can slide with the horizontal connecting frame 12 through the slotted groove. When the gripper cylinder 14 moves to the areca nut on another work surface, the gripper cylinder 14 will drive the gripper arm 16 to grip the areca nut in the middle. At this time, the elastic gripper mechanism 15 located on the two gripper arms 16 will grip the areca nut. Since the elastic gripper mechanism 15 has multiple elastic pressure blocks, the extension stroke of the top rod 19 on each elastic pressure block 1 can be different. The pressure block 21 on each elastic pressure block 1 can be pressed tightly against the outer wall of the areca nut, while the pressure block 21... 1. The support block 20 is made of sponge material, which can play a role in preventing slipping and preventing the betel nut from being squeezed and deformed. It can also keep the betel nut in place. In order to ensure that the side of the betel nut containing the pit is stably facing down when picking up the betel nut, and to facilitate picking up the betel nut, the bottom insert plate 22 of the support block 20 can be inserted into the gap between the betel nut and the table. The insert plate 22 has a wedge-shaped structure, so that the betel nut will gradually detach from the table when it is picked up, and the detachment process is stable and controllable. Since the length of the insert plate 22 is small, it will not obstruct the position of the betel nut pit, thus facilitating the removal of the pit by the cutter head 8.

[0032] To further ensure the stability of the areca nuts and prevent directional shifts or tipping, the system includes a pressing cylinder 23, a second fixing block 24, and several elastic pressing blocks 27. The cylinder body of the pressing cylinder 23 is mounted on the vertical connecting frame 13, and the telescopic end of the pressing cylinder 23 is connected to the second fixing block 24. The second fixing block 24 is located above the first pressing block 21. The second elastic pressing block includes a third compression spring 25, a second push rod 26, and a second pressing block 27. The third compression spring 25 is located inside the second fixing block 24, with one end abutting against the second fixing block 24 and the other end abutting against the second push rod 26. The bottom of the top rod 26 is provided with a pressure block 27. The bottom of the pressure block 27 is provided with a groove that engages with the areca nut shell. Before clamping the areca nut on both sides, the pressure cylinder 23 controls the elastic pressure block 2 to press down. The multiple fixing blocks 24 on the elastic pressure block 2 can press the areca nut tightly against the spindle-shaped surface. Under the action of the compression spring 3 25 and the top rod 26, the multiple pressure blocks 27 can completely fit the spindle shape of the areca nut surface. The groove at the bottom of the pressure block 27 can ensure that the areca nut will not shift or deform when it is pressed down.

[0033] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A novel areca nut deseeding machine, comprising a base (1) and a fixing frame (2), wherein the fixing frame (2) is mounted on the base (1), characterized in that, The system includes a vibration mechanism (3), a horizontal frame (4), a horizontal lead screw module (5), a vertical slide module (6), a tool holder (7), a tool head (8), and a clamping mechanism (9). The vibration mechanism (3) is mounted on a base (1), the horizontal frame (4) is mounted on the vibration mechanism (3), the horizontal lead screw module (5) is mounted on the horizontal frame (4), the vertical slide module (6) is slidably connected to the horizontal frame (4) through the horizontal lead screw module (5), the tool holder (7) is mounted on the vertical slide module (6), the tool head (8) is detachably connected to the tool holder (7), and the clamping mechanism (9) is mounted on a fixed frame (2) and located above the tool head (8). It also includes a limiting bolt (10) and a compression spring (11). The limiting bolt (10) passes through the tool holder (7) and the compression spring (11) in sequence and is screwed to the vertical slide module (6). One end of the compression spring (11) abuts against the vertical slide module (6) and the other end abuts against the tool holder (7). The clamping mechanism (9) includes a horizontal connecting frame (12), a vertical connecting frame (13), a gripper cylinder (14), and an elastic gripper mechanism (15). The horizontal connecting frame (12) is mounted on the fixed frame (2), and the vertical connecting frame (13) is mounted on the horizontal connecting frame (12) and slides with the horizontal connecting frame (12). The cylinder body of the gripper cylinder (14) is mounted on the vertical connecting frame (13), and the elastic gripper mechanism (15) is mounted on the gripper arm (16) of the gripper cylinder (14). Each elastic gripper mechanism (15) includes a fixed block (17) and several elastic pressure blocks. Each elastic pressure block includes a compression spring (18), a push rod (19), a support block (20), and a pressure block (21). The fixed block (17) is mounted on the gripper arm (16). The compression spring (18) is located inside the fixed block (17) and one end abuts against the fixed block (17), while the other end abuts against the push rod (19). The support block (20) and the pressure block (21) are sequentially mounted on the end of the push rod (19). The support block (20) has an insert plate (22) at its bottom. The mechanism also includes a pressing cylinder (23) and a fixed block (24). The cylinder body of the pressing cylinder (23) is mounted on the vertical connecting frame (13). The telescopic end of the pressing cylinder (23) is connected to the fixed block (24). The fixed block (24) is located above the pressing block (21). The elastic pressing block (21) includes a compression spring (25), a top rod (26), and a pressing block (27). The compression spring (25) is located inside the fixed block (24) and one end abuts against the fixed block (24), and the other end abuts against the top rod (26). The bottom of the top rod (26) is provided with a pressing block (27). The bottom of the pressing block (27) is provided with a groove that engages with the areca nut shell.

2. The novel areca nut deseeding machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The support block (20) and the insert plate (22) are integrally formed parts.

3. The novel areca nut deseeding machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure block (21) is made of an elastic material.

4. The novel areca nut deseeding machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cutter head (8) is provided with a bending part (81).

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