Multi-station self-adaptive lotus seed decorticator

Abstract

The present application relates to lotus seed processing equipment technical field, specifically disclose a kind of multi-station self-adapting lotus seed core removing machine, including rack, elastic compression device, elastic roller chain, feeding device, lotus seed posture adjusting device, core removing device and control system.The present application is positioned and clamped to lotus seed by lotus seed single feeding, posture adjustment, and using elastic roller chain and elastic compression device, can effectively solve the problem that the axis of lotus seed and drill bit axis is aligned in the process of core removing of different size lotus seed, improve the core removing quality of lotus seed.And through the side of elastic roller chain arrangement multiple core removing device, with multiple drill bits simultaneously core removing operation is carried out, realize multi-station processing.The present application is compact in structure, feeding mode is simple, core removing quality is good, production efficiency is high, not only can be used for dry lotus seed core removing, also can be used for red jujube and other fruits core removing, core processing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of lotus seed processing equipment technology, and in particular to a multi-station adaptive lotus seed de-hearting machine. Background Technology

[0002] Lotus seeds consist of the lotus kernel and the lotus heart. Because the lotus heart has a bitter taste, it needs to be removed before the lotus seed can be used as food. Since dried lotus seeds have a low moisture content and high hardness, the main method for removing the lotus heart is currently using a rotating drill bit to break it into small pieces, which are then poured out. There are two methods for removing the lotus heart: manual and mechanical. Manual removal involves holding the lotus seed manually, aligning its axis with the drill bit's axis, and then removing the heart. While this method produces good results, it suffers from low production efficiency, high labor intensity, and high safety risks. Mechanical removal significantly improves production efficiency and reduces labor intensity, but because lotus seeds vary in size and shape, it's difficult to ensure the lotus seed's axis is coaxial with the drill bit's axis. Therefore, there is a problem of drilling off-center and not completely removing the lotus heart. For example, patent CN101716017A discloses a fully automatic lotus seed core removal machine. Because the center of its drill bit is fixed, it is difficult to ensure that the drill bit axis is aligned with the axis of lotus seeds of different sizes during core removal. Therefore, the processing loss of lotus seeds is large and the core removal rate is not high. In order to solve the problem of core removal of lotus seeds of different sizes, patent CN209171367U discloses a multi-station lotus seed core-piercing machine. This invention has an automatic centering function, which improves the core removal quality of dried lotus seeds. However, it does not have an automatic feeding device and relies on manual feeding, so its production efficiency is not high. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, such as difficulty in ensuring alignment between the drill bit axis and the axes of lotus seeds of different sizes, and low production efficiency, this invention provides a multi-station adaptive lotus seed de-coring machine. It aims to ensure that the axes of lotus seeds of different sizes are in the same position during de-coring through the adaptive deformation of elastic rollers and elastic clamping devices, and to improve de-coring efficiency through multi-station operation. The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution: A multi-station adaptive lotus seed de-coring machine includes a frame, a feeding device, an elastic roller chain, a lotus seed posture adjustment device, an elastic pressing device, a de-coring device, and a control system. Its features include: at least one set of elastic roller chains mounted on the frame; and the feeding device, lotus seed posture adjustment device, and de-coring device are arranged sequentially along the forward direction of the elastic roller chain.

[0004] The feeding device includes a stirring shaft, a stirring disc, a material box, a conical funnel, and a feeding bracket. The stirring shaft is mounted on the feeding bracket via bearing seats. Stirring discs are installed at both ends of the stirring shaft, and the stirring discs are located inside the material box. Protruding blades and conical columns are provided on the end face of the stirring discs. The protruding blades and conical columns are used to prevent lotus seeds from blocking the material and to prevent lotus seeds from being left unsupported, ensuring continuous feeding. A conical funnel is provided below the material box. A vent is provided at the lower end of the discharge pipe of the conical funnel to clear the discharge pipe and prevent lotus seed fragments or two small lotus seeds from blocking the discharge pipe. A material sensor is provided on one side of the elastic roller chain.

[0005] The elastic rollers in the elastic roller chain have an outer contour that is an arc-shaped rotating surface. The outer contours of adjacent rollers form a lotus-holding space, carrying lotus seeds to various working areas. In the lotus seed posture adjustment device's working area, the elastic rollers are driven to rotate by the lotus seed posture adjustment device located below them, adjusting the posture of the lotus seeds in the holding space. In the core-removing device's working area, the elastic roller chain is supported on the chain bracket by chain bushings, and an elastic clamping device is installed above the elastic roller chain. When the elastic roller chain transports lotus seeds to the core-removing device's working area, the elastic rollers and elastic clamping device of the elastic roller chain undergo adaptive deformation after being squeezed by the lotus seeds, ensuring that the lotus seed axis is in the same position during core removal processing for lotus seeds of different sizes, thereby ensuring that the drill bit axis of the core-removing device is aligned with the axis of lotus seeds of different sizes.

[0006] The elastic pressing device includes an elastic pressing block, an up-and-down position adjustment device, and a fixed frame. The elastic pressing block is connected to the fixed frame through the up-and-down position adjustment device. The bottom of the elastic pressing block has an arc-shaped guide groove, and an angle is set at the entrance of the guide groove to facilitate the entry of lotus seeds, so that the lotus seeds carried by the elastic roller chain can smoothly enter the elastic pressing device.

[0007] The core removal device is located on the side of the elastic roller chain, and each elastic roller chain includes at least one core removal device; each core removal device includes a core removal motor, a motor mounting plate, a drill bit and a linear feed device; the core removal motor is mounted on the moving part of the linear feed device through the motor mounting plate; a drill bit is mounted on the spindle of the core removal motor, so that the core removal operation of lotus seeds can be performed simultaneously at multiple workstations.

[0008] As a further optimization and limitation of this solution, the elastic roller chain consists of an inner chain plate, an outer chain plate, elastic rollers, roller bushings, roller baffles, pins, and chain bushings. The elastic rollers are fixedly connected to the roller bushings, and the roller bushings are clearance-fitted to the pins. The elastic rollers rotate around the pins. Roller baffles are provided at both ends of the elastic rollers, and the roller baffles are interference-fitted to the roller bushings to restrict the axial deformation of the elastic rollers. Chain bushings are installed at both ends of the pins, and the chain bushings are clearance-fitted to the pins. The chain bushings are located on the outside of the outer chain plate.

[0009] As a further optimization and limitation of this solution, the linear feed device consists of a slide table and a feed cylinder. The feed cylinder drives the slide table to reciprocate and perform the centering operation.

[0010] As a further optimization and limitation of this solution, the lotus seed posture adjustment device consists of a synchronous pulley, a synchronous belt, and a synchronous belt support plate to prevent belt slippage and belt deviation when the lotus seed posture adjustment device drives the elastic roller to rotate.

[0011] As a further optimization and limitation of this solution, the chain support is provided with an angle at the chain inlet to allow the elastic roller chain to smoothly enter the chain support.

[0012] As a further optimization and limitation of this solution, the control system includes a PLC controller, solenoid valves, material sensors, and proximity switches. The PLC controller is connected to the solenoid valves, material sensors, the motor controlling the intermittent movement of the elastic roller chain, and the proximity switches mounted on each cylinder. Using PLC control ensures coordinated mechanical actions related to lotus seed core removal, improving work efficiency.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1. This invention uses an elastic roller chain and an elastic clamping device to position and clamp lotus seeds. Through the adaptive deformation of the two, the axial position of the lotus seeds does not change with the size of the lotus seeds. This ensures that the lotus seed axis is aligned with the drill bit axis during the de-coring process of lotus seeds of different sizes, thereby improving the processing quality of lotus seed de-coring. 2. This invention integrates the single-seed feeding, posture adjustment, and adaptive core removal of lotus seeds into different stations on an elastic roller chain, and improves the production efficiency of lotus seed core removal through multi-station core removal operation. 3. The feeding device of the present invention can realize continuous feeding of lotus seeds by stirring the material with a stirring plate, discharging the material with a conical funnel, and cooperating with an elastic roller chain. It has a simple structure and reliable operation. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Appendix Figure 1 This is an overall isometric view of the present invention; Appendix Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding device of the present invention; Appendix Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the feeding device of the present invention; Appendix Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the mixing disc of the present invention; Appendix Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the conical funnel of the present invention; Appendix Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the elastic roller chain and lotus seed posture adjustment device of the present invention; Appendix Figure 7 This is a magnified view of a portion of the structure of the elastic roller chain of the present invention; Appendix Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the core-removing device and the elastic clamping device of the present invention; Appendix Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the elastic clamping device of the present invention; Appendix Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the core removal device of the present invention; Appendix Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the connection relationship of the elastic roller chain of the present invention; Appendix Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the chain support structure of the present invention; Appendix Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the control flow of the present invention; In the image above: 1. Frame, 2. Feeding device, 3. Elastic roller chain, 4. Lotus seed posture adjustment device, 5. Elastic clamping device, 6. Core removal device, 7. Control system, 8. Motor, 9. Hopper, 10. Solenoid valve, 11. Chain support, 201. Feeding support, 202. Agitating shaft, 203. Agitating disc, 204. Material box, 205. Conical funnel, 206. Air vent, 207. Discharge pipe, 208. Material sensor. 301. Elastic roller; 302. Inner chain plate; 303. Outer chain plate; 304. Roller bushing; 305. Roller baffle; 306. Pin shaft; 307. Chain bushing; 401. Synchronous pulley; 402. Synchronous belt; 403. Synchronous belt support plate; 501. Elastic pressure block; 502. Up and down position adjustment device; 503. Fixing frame; 601. Centering motor; 602. Motor mounting plate; 603. Linear feed device; 6031. Slide table; 6032. Feed cylinder; 604. Ash collection device; 605. Drill bit; 701. PLC controller. Detailed Implementation

[0015] Typical embodiments embodying the features and advantages of this invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this invention, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0016] In this embodiment of the invention, the lotus seeds are pressed onto the elastic roller chain 3 by the elastic pressing device 5. The adaptive deformation of the elastic pressing block 501 and the elastic roller 301 ensures that the axes of lotus seeds of different sizes are on the same horizontal line. The movement pitch of the elastic roller chain 3 is controlled by the PLC controller 701, thereby ensuring that the axis of the drill bit 605 is aligned with the axis of the lotus seeds and improving the quality of lotus seed core removal. Furthermore, the production efficiency of lotus seed core removal is improved by operating multiple stations simultaneously.

[0017] See Figure 1-13 As shown, a multi-station adaptive lotus seed de-coring machine disclosed in this invention is schematically illustrated. A control system 7 is installed on the frame 1, and a hopper 9 is installed behind the control system 7. A PLC controller 701 and related control components are installed in the control system 7.

[0018] The feeding device 2 is located above the rear end of the elastic roller chain 3 and includes a stirring shaft 202, a stirring disc 203, a material box 204, a conical funnel 205, and a feeding bracket 201. The stirring disc 203 is installed at the end of the stirring shaft 202. Simultaneously, the stirring shaft 202 is driven to rotate by a sprocket and chain mechanism. The stirring shaft 202 drives the stirring disc 203 to stir the lotus seeds in the material box 204, causing the lotus seeds to fall through the discharge pipe 207 of the conical funnel 205 into the lotus-containing space of the elastic roller chain 3. This lotus-containing space is formed by the outer contours of adjacent elastic rollers 301. The stirring disc 203... The end face of the mixing plate 203 is provided with protruding blades, which allows the lotus seeds in the material box 204 to smoothly enter the discharge pipe 207 of the conical funnel 205; in order to prevent the lotus seeds from being emptied, a conical column is provided on the end face of the mixing plate 203; a clearing air nozzle 206 is provided at the lower end of the discharge pipe 207 of the conical funnel 205, and a material sensor 208 is provided on one side of the elastic roller chain 3. The material sensor 208 adopts a photoelectric switch, such as a diffuse reflection photoelectric switch; when lotus seed fragments or two small lotus seeds block the discharge pipe 207, and the material sensor 208 detects that there are no lotus seeds in the lotus-containing space of the elastic roller chain 3, the solenoid valve 10 controls the clearing air nozzle 206 to spray compressed air into the discharge pipe 207 to clear the discharge pipe 207.

[0019] The elastic roller chain 3 is driven by the motor 8 through the transmission device to drive the drive sprocket, which in turn drives the upper side of the elastic roller chain 3 to move forward intermittently. The motor 8 can be a servo motor or a stepper motor. The elastic roller chain 3 is composed of an inner chain plate 302, an outer chain plate 303, an elastic roller 301, a roller bushing 304, a roller baffle 305, a pin 306, and a chain bushing 307. The elastic roller 301 is fixedly connected to the roller bushing 304, and the roller bushing 304 is clearance-fitted with the pin 306. The elastic roller 301 rotates around the pin 306 as its axis. The material of the elastic roller 301 can be silicone, but is not limited to this material. Roller baffles 305 are provided at both ends of the elastic roller 301. The roller baffles 305 are interference-fitted with the roller bushing 304 to restrict the axial deformation of the elastic roller 301. Chain bushings 307 are installed at both ends of the pin 306. The chain bushings 307 are clearance-fitted with the pin 306 and are located outside the outer chain plate 303. In the working area of ​​the core removal device, the elastic roller chain 3 is supported on the chain bracket 11 by the chain bushing 307.

[0020] The lotus seed posture adjustment device 4 is installed below the elastic roller chain 3, including a synchronous pulley 401, a synchronous belt 402, and a synchronous belt support plate 403. When the elastic roller chain 3 carries lotus seeds to the working area of ​​the lotus seed posture adjustment device 4, the posture adjustment motor drives the synchronous pulley 401 to rotate, and drives the elastic rollers 301 in the elastic roller chain 3 to rotate through the synchronous belt 402, adjusting the posture of the lotus seeds in the lotus-containing space so that the lotus seed axis is parallel to the axis of the elastic rollers 301.

[0021] The elastic pressing device 5 is located above the elastic roller chain 3. It includes an elastic pressing block 501, a vertical position adjustment device 502, and a fixing frame 503. The elastic pressing block 501 is connected to the fixing frame 503 through the vertical position adjustment device 502. The material of the elastic pressing block 501 can be silicone, but is not limited to this material. The bottom of the elastic pressing block 501 has an arc-shaped guide groove, and an angle is provided at the entrance of the guide groove to facilitate the entry of lotus seeds.

[0022] The core-removing device 6 is located on the side of the elastic roller chain 3. Each elastic roller chain 3 includes two sets of core-removing devices 6, respectively arranged on both sides of the elastic roller chain 3. Each set of core-removing devices 6 has two core-removing stations. The core-removing device 6 includes a core-removing motor 601, a motor mounting plate 602, and a linear feed device 603. The linear feed device 603 includes a slide table 6031 and a feed cylinder 6032. The feed cylinder 6032 drives the slide table 6031 to move back and forth in a linear motion, thereby driving the core-removing motor 601 to move in a linear motion. The core-removing motor 601 is horizontally mounted on the slide table 6031 of the linear feed device 603 via the motor mounting plate 602, and its height is adjustable. A drill bit 605 is mounted on the spindle of the core-removing motor 601. The axis of the drill bit 605 is parallel to the axis of the elastic roller 301, and the core-removing motor 601 drives the drill bit 605 to rotate. Elastic clamping device 5 Located above the elastic roller chain 3, when the elastic roller chain 3 carries lotus seeds into the elastic pressing device 5, the elastic rollers 301 of the elastic roller chain 3 and the elastic pressing device 5 undergo adaptive deformation under the pressure of the lotus seeds. This ensures that the lotus seed axis is in the same position when lotus seeds of different sizes pass through this position, so that the drill bit 605 mounted on the core-removing motor 601 is aligned with the lotus seed axis. The feed cylinder 6032 drives the slide table 6031 to move forward, and the core-removing motor 601 drives the drill bit 605 to rotate, performing the core-removing operation on the lotus seeds. The chain support 11 is located below the elastic roller chain 3, so that the axis of the elastic rollers 301 above the chain support 11 is on the same horizontal plane. An angle is provided at the entrance of the chain support 11 to facilitate the entry of lotus seeds. The lotus ash collection device 604 is installed below the chain support 11 to collect the lotus ash that falls off when the drill bit 605 removes the lotus seeds.

[0023] To facilitate understanding of the working principle of this invention, its working process is briefly described as follows: Lotus seeds are poured into hopper 9 and fall into material box 204 under gravity, accumulating above conical funnel 205 and flowing into discharge pipe 207. Motor 8 drives elastic roller chain 3 to move intermittently. When elastic roller chain 3 moves forward, the driven shaft at the rear end of elastic roller chain 3 drives stirring shaft 202 to rotate through sprocket and chain mechanism, which in turn drives stirring disc 203 to stir the lotus seeds in material box 204. At the same time, the protruding blades on the end face of stirring disc 3 push aside the lotus seeds accumulated at the inlet of discharge pipe 207 in conical funnel 205, allowing the lotus seeds to smoothly enter discharge pipe 207 from the empty space behind the protruding blades. As elastic roller chain 3 moves forward, lotus seeds at the outlet of discharge pipe 207 will fall sequentially into the lotus-containing space formed by adjacent elastic rollers 301 in elastic roller chain 3 and move out with elastic roller chain 3. Due to the distance limitation between the outlet pipe 207 and the elastic roller 301, only one lotus seed can be contained in a single lotus seed container. In this embodiment, each elastic roller chain 3 has two sets of core-removing devices 6, each set of core-removing devices 6 has two core-removing stations, and a single elastic roller chain 3 has a total of four core-removing stations. When the motor 8 drives the elastic roller chain 3 to move forward intermittently, the elastic roller chain 3 advances four chain pitches each time. When the elastic roller chain 3 carries the lotus seed to the lotus seed posture adjustment device 4, the elastic roller 301 contacts the synchronous belt 402, causing the elastic roller 301 to rotate in the same direction, making the lotus seed roll and adjust its posture. When the elastic roller chain 3 carries lotus seeds into the core-removing device 6, the elastic rollers 301 and the elastic clamping device 5 of the elastic roller chain 3 undergo adaptive deformation under the pressure of the lotus seeds, clamping the lotus seeds and aligning the axes of lotus seeds of different sizes on the same horizontal line. The movement pitch of the elastic roller chain 3 is precisely controlled by the motor 8, aligning the axis of the drill bit 605 mounted on the core-removing motor 601 with the axis of the lotus seeds. At this point, the elastic roller chain 3 stops moving, the feed cylinder 6032 drives the slide 6031 forward, and the core-removing motor 601 drives the drill bit 605 to rotate, removing the core from the lotus seeds. After core removal is complete, the feed cylinder 6032 drives the slide 6031 backward, and the drill bit 605 returns to its original position, thus completing the entire core-removing process and entering the next work cycle. As the elastic roller chain 3 continues to move forward, the cored lotus seeds fall from the front end of the frame 1 into the lotus seed collection box. During operation, when broken lotus seeds or two small lotus seeds block the discharge pipe 207, or when the material sensor 208 detects that there are no lotus seeds in the lotus-containing space of the elastic roller chain 3, the solenoid valve 10 controls the unblocking air nozzle 206 to blow air into the discharge pipe 207 to unblock it.

[0024] The above are merely some embodiments disclosed in this invention, used only to illustrate the technical solutions disclosed in this invention, and not to limit it. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make improvements or substitutions based on the above description without departing from the inventive concept disclosed in this invention, and all such improvements and substitutions should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims of this invention. In this case, all details can be replaced with equivalent elements, and the materials, shapes, and sizes can also be arbitrary.

Claims

1. A multi-station adaptive lotus seed de-coring machine, comprising a frame (1), a feeding device (2), an elastic roller chain (3), a lotus seed posture adjustment device (4), an elastic pressing device (5), a de-coring device (6), and a control system (7), characterized in that: It includes at least one set of elastic roller chains (3) mounted on the frame (1); along the forward direction of the elastic roller chains (3), a feeding device (2), a lotus seed posture adjustment device (4) and a core removal device (6) are arranged in sequence. The feeding device (2) includes a stirring shaft (202), a stirring disc (203), a material box (204), a conical funnel (205), and a feeding bracket (201); the stirring shaft (202) is mounted on the feeding bracket (201) through a bearing seat, and the stirring discs (203) are installed at both ends of the stirring shaft (202), and the stirring discs (203) are located inside the material box (204); protruding blades and conical columns are provided on the end face of the stirring discs (203); a conical funnel (205) is provided below the material box (204), and a venting nozzle (206) is provided at the lower end of the discharge pipe (207) of the conical funnel (205); a material sensor (208) is provided on one side of the elastic roller chain (3); The elastic roller (301) in the elastic roller chain (3) has an outer contour of an arc-shaped rotating surface. In the working area of ​​the lotus seed adjustment device (4), the elastic roller (301) is driven to rotate by the lotus seed adjustment device (4) located below it. In the working area of ​​the de-core device (6), the elastic roller chain (3) is supported on the chain support (11) by the chain bushing (307), and an elastic pressing device (5) is provided above the elastic roller chain (3). When the elastic roller chain (3) transports the lotus seeds to the working area of ​​the de-core device (6), the elastic roller (301) and the elastic pressing device (5) of the elastic roller chain (3) undergo adaptive deformation after being squeezed by the lotus seeds, so that the position of the lotus seed axis is the same when lotus seeds of different sizes are de-core processed. The elastic pressing device (5) includes an elastic pressing block (501), an up-down position adjustment device (502), and a fixing frame (503); the elastic pressing block (501) is connected to the fixing frame (503) through the up-down position adjustment device (502); the bottom of the elastic pressing block (501) has an arc-shaped guide groove, and an oblique angle is provided at the entrance of the guide groove to facilitate the entry of lotus seeds; The core-removing device (6) is located on the side of the elastic roller chain (3), and each elastic roller chain (3) is provided with at least one set of core-removing devices (6); each set of core-removing devices (6) includes a core-removing motor (601), a motor mounting plate (602), a drill bit (605), and a linear feed device (603); the core-removing motor (601) is mounted on the moving part of the linear feed device (603) through the motor mounting plate (602); the drill bit (605) is mounted on the spindle of the core-removing motor (601); The elastic roller chain (3) is composed of an inner chain plate (302), an outer chain plate (303), an elastic roller (301), a roller bushing (304), a roller baffle (305), a pin (306), and a chain bushing (307); the elastic roller (301) is fixedly connected to the roller bushing (304), and the roller bushing (304) is clearance-fitted with the pin (306). The roller (301) rotates around its axis. Roller baffles (305) are provided at both ends of the elastic roller (301). The roller baffles (305) and roller bushings (304) are interference fit to restrict the axial deformation of the elastic roller (301). Chain bushings (307) are installed at both ends of the pin (306). The chain bushings (307) and pins (306) are clearance fit. The chain bushings (307) are located on the outside of the outer chain plate (303).

2. The multi-station adaptive lotus seed de-coring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The linear feed device (603) consists of a slide table (6031) and a feed cylinder (6032). The feed cylinder (6032) drives the slide table (6031) to reciprocate and perform the core removal operation.

3. The multi-station adaptive lotus seed de-coring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lotus seed adjustment device (4) consists of a synchronous pulley (401), a synchronous belt (402), and a synchronous belt support plate (403).

4. The multi-station adaptive lotus seed de-coring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The chain support (11) has an angled section at the chain entrance.

5. A multi-station adaptive lotus seed de-coring machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control system (7) includes a PLC controller (701), a solenoid valve (10), and a material sensor (208); the PLC controller (701) is connected to the solenoid valve (10), the material sensor (208), and a motor (8) that controls the intermittent movement of the elastic roller chain (3).

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