Automatic coconut opening and water taking machine

Abstract

The application discloses an automatic coconut opening and water taking machine. The machine frame is provided with a transmission chain plate (13), a hole opening mechanism (5), a sleeve mounting mechanism, a water pouring manipulator and a coconut shell discharging port (14). The hole opening mechanism (5) is provided with a clamping cylinder (6) at the lower part and a rodless cylinder (4) at the upper part, and the lower part of the rodless cylinder (4) is provided with a drilling device. The sleeve mounting mechanism is provided with a rotating motor (8), and the rotating motor (8) is provided with sleeve mounting lifting cylinders (9) at the two sides. The piston rods of the sleeve mounting lifting cylinders (9) are connected with electromagnets (10). The water pouring manipulator is provided with a manipulator lifting cylinder (29), an elbow rotating cylinder (28), a manipulator arm telescopic cylinder (27), a manipulator wrist rotating cylinder (28) and a clamping finger cylinder (25) in connection, and the clamping finger cylinder (25) is provided with a ring-shaped clamping finger (24). The application has the beneficial effect that the coconut water taking production process is efficient, sanitary and safe.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a coconut processing production line equipment, specifically an automatic coconut opening and water extraction machine. Background Technology

[0002] Coconut is a perennial tropical woody oilseed crop belonging to the genus *Cocos* of the palm family (Arecaceae). The main product of the coconut tree is the coconut fruit, which is nearly spherical in shape and consists of the exocarp, mesocarp, endocarp, seed coat, coconut meat, and coconut water. Coconut water, the endosperm inside the coconut nut cavity, is a nutritious natural beverage. It is clear as water, has a sweet taste, and is crystal clear, offering excellent cooling, thirst-quenching, and heat-relieving effects. With in-depth research on coconuts, people have continuously developed various uses for coconut water: it has a good effect on diuresis and enhancing renal blood circulation, and can be used as an adjunct treatment for hepatitis and gastroenteritis; microbiologically, it can be used as a microbial culture medium; and in the food industry, it can be used to develop various foods, such as coconut wine and coconut water beverages.

[0003] However, the extraction of coconut water still largely relies on manual labor. Workers use coconut openers or cleavers to crack open the coconut shells and pour the water into designated containers. This method is not only inefficient but also prone to worker injuries, and the process results in significant water splashing and waste. Furthermore, the debris generated during the cracking process is difficult to handle and fails to meet the hygiene requirements of the food processing industry. The current reliance on manual coconut water extraction severely hinders the development of coconut water and related processing industries. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention relates to a highly efficient, safe, and automated coconut water extraction device. This device transforms the coconut water extraction process from manual to automated operation, significantly improving production efficiency, providing ample raw materials for subsequent processes, and, more importantly, meeting food hygiene requirements while ensuring operator safety and reducing the risk of injuries. Furthermore, the automation of the process saves a significant amount of labor and solves a bottleneck problem for related production enterprises in expanding their production scale, opening up new avenues for businesses to increase production and improve economic efficiency.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problem is as follows: a frame is provided, a transmission chain plate is provided on the frame, a number of V-shaped trays are provided on the transmission chain plate, and an opening mechanism, a sleeve assembly mechanism and a water pouring robot are also provided on the frame. An empty coconut shell feeding port is provided at the rear of the frame.

[0006] The lower part of the drilling mechanism is equipped with a clamping cylinder, and a waste outlet is provided on one side of the clamping cylinder. The upper part of the drilling mechanism is equipped with a rodless cylinder, and the lower part of the rodless cylinder is equipped with a drilling lifting cylinder. The piston rod of the drilling lifting cylinder is connected to a support plate, and a drilling device is provided on the support plate. Telescopic cylinders are provided on both sides of the drilling device, and the piston rod of the telescopic cylinder is connected to an annular retaining ring. The drilling device is equipped with a drilling motor, and a cylindrical cutter is connected to the shaft end of the drilling motor. A compression spring is provided inside the cylindrical cutter, and a piston is connected to the lower part of the compression spring. A small spring and a spring pin are provided inside the piston. Two positioning pin holes are provided on the cylindrical wall of the cylindrical cutter corresponding to the positions of the spring pins.

[0007] The mounting mechanism is equipped with a rotary motor, and mounting lifting cylinders are provided on both sides of the rotary motor. The piston rod of the mounting lifting cylinder is connected to an electromagnet.

[0008] The water-pouring robot is equipped with a robot lifting cylinder, an elbow rotation cylinder, a robot arm extension cylinder, and a robot wrist rotation cylinder. The piston rod of the robot arm extension cylinder is connected to a robot wrist rotation cylinder, and the front end of the robot wrist rotation cylinder is connected to a finger clamping cylinder, which is equipped with a ring-shaped finger clamp.

[0009] During operation, the coconut is manually placed on the V-shaped tray at the loading station. The conveyor chain motor starts working, moving the V-shaped tray horizontally. When the coconut reaches the drilling station, the conveyor chain motor stops rotating, the piston rod of the clamping cylinder extends, clamping the coconut. Then, the rodless cylinder drives the drilling device to directly above the coconut. The opening and lifting cylinder drives the drilling device to descend, while the rotary motor drives the cylindrical cutter to rotate, drilling the coconut. As the piston rod of the opening and lifting cylinder descends, the cut coconut shell cover slides upward along the inner wall of the cylindrical cutter, pushing against the piston. When the spring pin reaches the positioning pin hole in the vertical direction, the spring pin is pushed into the positioning pin hole by the action of the small spring, completing the drilling operation. The cylindrical cutter cuts through the coconut shell and coconut meat. Then, the piston rod of the opening lifting cylinder retracts, causing the cylindrical cutter, along with the cut coconut shell cap, to return to its initial position. The piston rod of the clamping cylinder retracts, releasing the coconut. The conveyor chain motor restarts, and the transmission chain moves the coconut to the next station. At the same time, the rodless cylinder works again, moving the opening mechanism above the waste outlet. The piston rod of the telescopic cylinder retracts, causing the annular retaining ring to rise. When the annular retaining ring reaches the positioning pin hole of the cylindrical cutter, it presses the spring pin back into the piston pin hole. Under the action of the compression spring, the piston is pushed down, and the coconut shell cap cut by the cylindrical cutter is squeezed out. The coconut shell cap slides off the waste outlet.

[0010] When the coconut is transported to the sleeve-packing station, the conveyor chain motor stops working, the piston rod of the lifting cylinder extends, and presses the stainless steel sleeve attracted by the energized electromagnet into the cut coconut hole. Then the electromagnet is de-energized, the stainless steel sleeve remains in the cut coconut hole, and the piston rod of the lifting cylinder retracts to its original position.

[0011] The conveyor belt motor continues to operate. When the coconut is transported to the water-pouring station, the conveyor belt motor stops, the piston rod of the robotic arm lifting cylinder retracts, and the entire water-pouring robotic arm descends directly above the coconut. The annular gripper fingers then grip the coconut. At this moment, the gripper finger cylinder operates, causing the annular gripper fingers to clamp the coconut. Then, the piston rod of the robotic arm lifting cylinder extends, causing the entire water-pouring robotic arm to rise horizontally. The annular gripper fingers then pull the coconut off the V-shaped tray. Finally, the elbow rotation cylinder operates, causing the water-pouring robotic arm to rotate 180° horizontally while holding the coconut. The piston rod of the extension cylinder extends, and then the mechanical wrist rotation cylinder operates, causing the coconut to rotate 180° in the vertical plane. Under the action of gravity, the coconut water flows down the inner wall of the stainless steel sleeve into the collection container below. After the coconut water has drained, the mechanical wrist rotation cylinder and the elbow rotation cylinder reverse, while the piston rod of the extension cylinder retracts, and the lifting cylinder of the mechanical hand descends, placing the coconut back onto the V-shaped tray. Then, the finger-clamping cylinder releases, causing the ring-shaped fingers to loosen the coconut, and the piston rod of the lifting cylinder of the mechanical hand extends, causing the water-pouring robotic hand to return to its original position for standby.

[0012] The conveyor chain motor continues to work. When the coconut is transported to the sleeve removal station, the conveyor chain motor stops. The sleeve lifting cylinder causes the de-energized electromagnet to contact the stainless steel sleeve on the coconut. Then the electromagnet is energized and firmly holds the stainless steel sleeve. Subsequently, the piston rod of the sleeve lifting cylinder returns the electromagnet and stainless steel sleeve to their original position. Then the rotary motor rotates 180° to transport the stainless steel sleeve to the sleeve-fitting station, waiting for the sleeve-fitting operation of the next coconut. This cycle repeats continuously.

[0013] The conveyor belt motor continues to work, and finally the empty coconut shells, after the coconut water has been poured out, slide out through the coconut shell discharge port, thus completing one work cycle.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are that it automates the coconut water extraction process, reduces labor costs, and improves production efficiency. This lays the foundation for production enterprises to expand their production scale; it also reduces the occurrence of personnel injuries and accidents; and it makes the coconut water extraction process efficient, hygienic, and safe. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the hole-opening mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the drilling device structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the mounting mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the water-pouring robotic arm structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] In the diagram: 1. Drive chain motor 2. V-shaped tray 3. Coconut 4. Rodless cylinder 5. Hole-opening mechanism 6. Clamping cylinder 7. Waste outlet 8. Rotary motor 9. Sleeve lifting cylinder 10. Electromagnet 11. Stainless steel sleeve 12. Water-pouring robot 13. Drive chain 14. Empty coconut shell discharge port 15. Hole-opening lifting cylinder 16. Drilling motor 17. Telescopic cylinder 18. Cylindrical cutter 19. Annular retaining ring 20. Compression spring 21. Piston 22. Spring pin 23. Small spring 24. Annular finger gripper 25. Finger gripper cylinder 26. Robotic wrist rotation cylinder 27. Robotic arm telescopic cylinder 28. Elbow rotation cylinder 29. Robotic arm lifting cylinder. Implementation

[0021] The machine is equipped with a frame, a transmission chain plate 13 on the frame, several V-shaped trays 2 on the transmission chain plate 13, an opening mechanism 5, a sleeve assembly mechanism and a water-pouring robot on the frame, and an empty coconut shell discharge port 14 at the rear of the frame.

[0022] The lower part of the hole-opening mechanism 5 is equipped with a clamping cylinder 6, and a waste outlet 7 is provided on one side of the clamping cylinder 6. The upper part of the hole-opening mechanism 5 is equipped with a rodless cylinder 4, and the lower part of the rodless cylinder 4 is equipped with a hole-opening lifting cylinder 15. The piston rod of the hole-opening lifting cylinder 15 is connected to a support plate, and a drilling device is provided on the support plate. Telescopic cylinders 17 are provided on both sides of the drilling device, and the piston rod of the telescopic cylinder 17 is connected to an annular retaining ring 19. The drilling device is equipped with a drilling motor 16, and the shaft end of the drilling motor 16 is connected to a cylindrical cutter 18. The inside of the cylindrical cutter 18 is equipped with a compression spring 20, and the lower part of the compression spring 20 is connected to a piston 21. The piston 21 is equipped with a small spring 23 and a spring pin 22. Two positioning pin holes are provided on the cylindrical wall of the cylindrical cutter 18 corresponding to the position of the spring pin 22.

[0023] The mounting mechanism is equipped with a rotary motor 8, and mounting lifting cylinders 9 are provided on both sides of the rotary motor 8. The piston rod of the mounting lifting cylinder 9 is connected to an electromagnet 10.

[0024] The water-pouring robot arm is equipped with a robot arm lifting cylinder 29, an elbow rotation cylinder 28 on the robot arm lifting cylinder 29, a robot arm extension cylinder 27 on the elbow rotation cylinder 28, a robot wrist rotation cylinder 26 connected to the piston rod of the robot arm extension cylinder 27, the front end of the robot wrist rotation cylinder 26 connected to the finger clamping cylinder 25, and a ring-shaped finger clamp 24 mounted on the finger clamping cylinder 25.

[0025] During operation, the coconut 3 is manually placed on the V-shaped tray 2 at the loading station. The conveyor chain motor 1 starts working, driving the V-shaped tray 2 on the chain plate 13 to move horizontally. When the coconut 3 reaches the drilling station, the conveyor chain motor 1 stops rotating, the piston rod of the clamping cylinder 6 extends, clamping the coconut 3. Then, the rodless cylinder 4 drives the drilling device to reach directly above the coconut 3. The opening lifting cylinder 15 drives the drilling device to descend. At the same time, the rotating motor 8 drives the cylindrical cutter 18 to rotate, drilling the coconut 3. As the piston rod of the opening lifting cylinder 15 descends, the cut coconut shell cover slides upward along the inner wall of the cylindrical cutter 18 against the piston 21. When the spring pin 22 reaches the positioning pin hole in the vertical direction, the spring pin 22 is pushed into the positioning pin hole by the action of the small spring 23. At this time, the drilling operation is completed, and the cylindrical cutter 18 cuts through the coconut shell and coconut meat. Then, the piston rod of the opening lifting cylinder 15 retracts, causing the cylindrical cutter 18, along with the cut coconut shell cap, to return to its initial position. The piston rod of the clamping cylinder 6 retracts, releasing the coconut 3. The conveyor chain motor 1 restarts, and the transmission chain 13 carries the coconut 3 to the next station. At the same time, the rodless cylinder 4 works again, moving the opening mechanism above the waste outlet 7. The piston rod of the telescopic cylinder 17 retracts, causing the annular retaining ring 19 to rise. When the annular retaining ring 19 reaches the positioning pin hole of the cylindrical cutter 18, it presses the spring pin 22 back into the pin hole of the piston 21. Under the action of the compression spring 20, the piston 21 is pushed down, and the coconut shell cap cut by the cylindrical cutter 18 is squeezed out. The coconut shell cap slides off from the waste outlet 7.

[0026] When coconut 3 is transported to the packaging station, the conveyor chain motor 1 stops working, the piston rod of the lifting cylinder 9 extends, and presses the stainless steel sleeve 11 attracted by the energized electromagnet 10 into the cut coconut hole. Then the electromagnet 10 is de-energized, the stainless steel sleeve 11 remains in the cut coconut hole, and the piston rod of the lifting cylinder 9 retracts to its original position.

[0027] The conveyor chain motor 1 continues to operate. When coconut 3 is transported to the water-pouring station, the conveyor chain motor 1 stops, the piston rod of the robotic arm lifting cylinder 29 retracts, and the entire water-pouring robotic arm descends from directly above the coconut. The annular gripper 24 just fits around coconut 3. At this time, the gripper cylinder 25 operates, causing the annular gripper 24 to clamp coconut 3. Then, the piston rod of the robotic arm lifting cylinder 29 extends, causing the entire water-pouring robotic arm to rise horizontally. The annular gripper 24 pulls coconut 3 off the V-shaped tray 2. Then, the elbow rotation cylinder 28 operates, causing the water-pouring robotic arm to rotate 180° in the horizontal plane while holding coconut 3. At the same time, the robotic arm... The piston rod of the telescopic cylinder 27 extends, and then the mechanical wrist rotation cylinder 26 operates, causing the coconut 3 to rotate 180° in the vertical plane. Under the action of gravity, the coconut water flows down the inner wall of the stainless steel sleeve 11 into the collection container below. After the coconut water has drained, the mechanical wrist rotation cylinder 26 and the elbow rotation cylinder 28 reverse, and at the same time, the piston rod of the mechanical arm telescopic cylinder 27 retracts, the mechanical arm lifting cylinder 29 descends, and the coconut 3 is placed back on the V-shaped tray 2. Then the finger clamping cylinder 25 releases, causing the annular finger clamp 24 to release the coconut 3, and the piston rod of the mechanical arm lifting cylinder 29 extends, causing the water-pouring mechanical arm to return to its original position for standby.

[0028] The conveyor chain motor 1 continues to work. When the coconut 3 is transported to the sleeve removal station, the conveyor chain motor 1 stops. The sleeve lifting cylinder 9 causes the de-energized electromagnet 10 to contact the stainless steel sleeve 11 on the coconut 3. Then the electromagnet 10 is energized and firmly attracts the stainless steel sleeve 11. Subsequently, the piston rod of the sleeve lifting cylinder 9 carries the electromagnet 10 and the stainless steel sleeve 11 back to their original position. Then the rotary motor 8 rotates 180° to transport the stainless steel sleeve 11 to the sleeve installation station, waiting for the sleeve installation of the next coconut. This cycle repeats continuously.

[0029] The conveyor chain motor 1 continues to work, and finally the empty coconut shells after the coconut water has been poured out slide out through the coconut shell discharge port 14, thus completing one work cycle.

Claims

1. An automatic coconut opener for extracting coconut water, characterized by: The rack is provided with a transmission chain plate (13), a plurality of V-shaped trays (2) are arranged on the transmission chain plate (13), an opening mechanism (5), a sleeving mechanism and a water pouring manipulator are further arranged on the rack, and a hollow coconut shell discharging port (14) is arranged at the rear of the rack; The lower part of the opening mechanism (5) is provided with a clamping cylinder (6), one side of the clamping cylinder (6) is provided with a waste outlet (7), the upper part of the opening mechanism (5) is provided with a rodless cylinder (4), the lower part of the rodless cylinder (4) is provided with an opening lifting cylinder (15), the piston rod of the opening lifting cylinder (15) is connected with a supporting plate, the supporting plate is provided with a drilling device, both sides of the drilling device are provided with telescopic cylinders (17), the piston rod of the telescopic cylinder (17) is connected with a ring clasp (19); the drilling device is provided with a drilling motor (16), the shaft end of the drilling motor (16) is connected with a cylindrical knife (18), the inside of the cylindrical knife (18) is provided with a compression spring (20), the lower part of the compression spring (20) is connected with a piston (21), the piston (21) is provided with a small spring (23) and a spring pin (22), the cylinder wall of the cylindrical knife (18) is provided with two positioning pin holes corresponding to the position of the spring pin (22); The sleeving mechanism is provided with a rotating motor (8), both sides of the rotating motor (8) are provided with a sleeving lifting cylinder (9), the piston rod of the sleeving lifting cylinder (9) is connected with an electromagnet (10); The water pouring manipulator is provided with a manipulator lifting cylinder (29), the manipulator lifting cylinder (29) is provided with an elbow rotating cylinder (28), the elbow rotating cylinder (28) is provided with a manipulator arm telescopic cylinder (27), the piston rod of the manipulator arm telescopic cylinder (27) is connected with a manipulator wrist rotating cylinder (28), the front end of the manipulator wrist rotating cylinder (26) is connected with a clamping finger cylinder (25), and the clamping finger cylinder (25) is provided with a ring clamping finger (24).

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