An automated macadamia nut opening machine

Abstract

This utility model discloses an automated macadamia nut opening machine, relating to the field of nut opening technology, including a worktable; a vibrating feeding plate is fixedly installed at one end of the worktable; a transmission pipe is installed on one side of the vibrating feeding plate, and the transmission pipe is inclined; the end of the transmission pipe away from the vibrating feeding plate is connected to a transmission component; the transmission component includes a transmission belt; both ends of the transmission belt are connected to a belt bearing and a fixed frame via a rotating shaft; wherein a driving gear and a driven pulley are fixedly installed on the rotating shaft at one end of the transmission belt to place nuts into the vibrating feeding plate, and the discharge port of the vibrating feeding plate is connected to one end of the transmission pipe, thereby effectively realizing automatic sorting and transmission of nuts. Because the transmission pipe is inclined, the nuts are effectively transmitted between the transmission belt and two clamping belts. Through the synchronous rotation of the transmission belt and the two clamping belts, the nuts are effectively transmitted to the end away from the vibrating feeding plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model specifically relates to the field of nut opening technology, and more specifically to an automated macadamia nut opening machine. Background Technology

[0002] Nuts are a popular category in the food processing and consumer markets due to their rich nutrition and unique taste. They have excellent effects on human growth and development, strengthening the body and preventing diseases. Various nuts are loved by people, and various nut products have emerged as a result.

[0003] However, most nuts have hard shells, and manual opening is inefficient, labor-intensive, and prone to hand injuries, making it difficult to meet the needs of large-scale processing. With the development of technology, automated nut opening machines have emerged. However, most traditional automated nut opening machines can only open nuts that are not much different in size. Due to the uncertainty of the natural growth of nuts, their shape or size may vary greatly, so traditional opening machines cannot effectively guarantee the opening efficiency.

[0004] A search revealed that Chinese Patent Publication No. CN202320045916.3 discloses a nut opening machine; it includes a machine shell body, a feeding groove is provided on the top of the machine shell body, and a discharge groove is provided through the bottom of one side of the machine shell body, with the discharge groove at an oblique angle to the ground. A feeding mechanism is movably connected to the inner side of the feeding groove, and a fixed base is fixedly connected to one side of the machine shell body. An opening mechanism is movably connected inside the fixed base, and a stop plate is provided on one side of the opening mechanism, and the stop plate is movably connected to the inside of the fixed base.

[0005] In the aforementioned patent, the device pushes all the nuts in the feeding trough into the opening mechanism via a pusher plate. Then, a motor drives a transmission gear to drive a cutting blade to open the top of the nuts. This results in a large number of nuts accumulating in the opening mechanism, making it difficult to ensure that the cutting blade accurately contacts the nuts. This may cause some nuts to be missed when opening them. Furthermore, in the aforementioned patent, the nuts that have been opened are still on the feeding plate. This may lead to the same nut being opened repeatedly during the cutting process, thus reducing work efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automated macadamia nut opening machine. In this device, the automatic sorting and conveying of nuts is effectively achieved through the cooperation between the vibrating feeding plate and the transmission pipe. Then, the nuts are conveyed to the bottom of the laser opener by the synchronous rotation of the transmission belt and the clamping belt. During the opening process, in order to ensure the working quality of the laser opener, the clamping belt is effectively pushed towards the middle position by two elastic plates, thereby ensuring that the nuts can pass through the bottom of the laser opener, thus ensuring the quality and efficiency of the opening; thereby solving the problems of the above-mentioned background technology.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0008] An automated macadamia nut opening machine includes a worktable; a vibrating feeding plate is fixedly installed at one end of the worktable; a transmission pipe is installed on one side of the vibrating feeding plate, and the transmission pipe is inclined.

[0009] The end of the transmission tube away from the vibrating feed plate is engaged with the transmission assembly; the transmission assembly includes a transmission belt; both ends of the transmission belt are installed by means of a rotating shaft, a belt bearing, and a fixed frame; wherein a driving gear and a driven pulley are fixedly installed on the rotating shaft at one end of the transmission belt.

[0010] As a further technical solution of this utility model, the driven pulley is connected to the driving pulley on the output shaft of the drive motor via a connecting belt; the bottom of the drive motor is fixedly installed on the worktable via a support frame.

[0011] As a further technical solution of this utility model, a controller is fixedly installed on one side of the conveyor belt; a laser opening device is fixedly installed on one end of the controller near the conveyor belt via a support rod; the laser opening device is located at the top middle of the conveyor belt.

[0012] As a further technical solution of this utility model, the transmission component is further provided with adjustment components on both sides; the adjustment component includes a driven gear meshing with the driving gear; the driven gear is provided with two symmetrical first helical gears coaxially through a connecting rod; the two ends of the connecting rod are installed with the worktable through bearing seats.

[0013] As a further technical solution of this utility model, the connecting rod also passes through two symmetrical C-shaped frames; the C-shaped frames are located on one side of the first helical gear; a rotating rod is also movably installed on the C-shaped frames;

[0014] As a further technical solution of this utility model, a second helical gear and a rotating wheel are fixedly installed at both ends of the rotating rod; the second helical gear is meshed with the first helical gear.

[0015] As a further technical solution of this utility model, the rotating wheels are provided in two sets, wherein the rotating wheel at the end away from the C-shaped frame is movably installed with the mounting frame via a rotating rod; wherein the two rotating wheels on the same side are connected by a clamping strap.

[0016] As a further technical solution of this utility model, symmetrical elastic plates are also provided on both sides of the conveyor belt; the elastic plates are located inside the two clamping belts; the elastic plates and the laser opening device are on the same cross-section.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0018] 1. In use, nuts are placed in a vibrating feeding tray. The discharge port of the vibrating feeding tray is matched with one end of the transmission pipe, thereby effectively realizing the automatic sorting and transmission of nuts. Since the transmission pipe is set at an angle, the nuts are effectively transmitted between the transmission belt and the two clamping belts. By the synchronous rotation of the transmission belt and the two clamping belts, the nuts are effectively transmitted to the end away from the vibrating feeding tray.

[0019] 2. In this utility model, during transmission, the driven motor drives the driven pulley to realize the synchronous rotation of the shaft, the transmission belt, and the drive gear, achieving the effect of forward transmission of the nuts. During the transmission process, to ensure the cooperation between the nuts and the laser opening device, the drive gear drives the driven gear to rotate. When the driven gear rotates, the two first helical gears mesh with the corresponding second helical gears, thereby effectively driving the rotating rod to rotate the wheel through the second helical gears. Through the cooperation between the two sets of first and second helical gears, it is effectively ensured that the two clamping belts and the transmission belt are in the same direction.

[0020] 3. In this utility model, the elastic plates set on both sides of the conveyor belt effectively push the inner sides of the two clamping belts inward through their own elasticity, thereby ensuring that the nuts can accurately pass through the bottom of the laser opener. The controller effectively realizes automatic control of the laser opener, thereby ensuring the quality and efficiency of nut opening. After the opening is completed, the clamping belt and the conveyor belt continue to move, so that the nuts can be transferred to the collection device through the discharge tongue fixedly installed on the worktable. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This utility model Figure 1 Another perspective structural diagram.

[0023] Figure 3 This utility model Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the rear structure.

[0024] Figure 4 This utility model Figure 1 A breakdown diagram.

[0025] Figure 5 This utility model Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the bottom structure of the adjustment component.

[0026] Figure 6 This utility model Figure 4 Another perspective on the structure of the transmission component.

[0027] Figure 7 This utility model Figure 5 Enlarged view of the local structure at point A in the middle.

[0028] In the diagram: 1-Workbench, 2-Controller, 3-Laser opener, 4-Vibrating feeder, 5-Transmission pipe, 6-Transmission assembly, 60-Drive motor, 61-Connecting belt, 62-Driving gear, 63-Transmission belt, 64-Support frame, 65-Driven pulley, 66-Rotating shaft, 7-Elastic plate, 8-Adjusting assembly, 80-Clamping belt, 81-Mounting frame, 82-Rotating wheel, 83-Driven gear, 84-First helical gear, 85-Second helical gear, 86-C-frame, 87-Connecting rod, 88-Rotating rod, 9-Discharge tongue. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0030] Please see Figure 1-7 In this embodiment of the present invention, an automated macadamia nut opening machine includes a workbench 1; a vibrating feeding plate 4 is fixedly installed at one end of the workbench 1; a transmission pipe 5 is installed on one side of the vibrating feeding plate 4, and the transmission pipe 5 is inclined.

[0031] The end of the transmission pipe 5 away from the vibrating feeding plate 4 is engaged with the transmission assembly 6; the transmission assembly 6 includes a transmission belt 63; both ends of the transmission belt 63 are installed by means of a rotating shaft 66, which is engaged with a bearing seat and a fixed frame; wherein a driving gear 62 and a driven pulley 65 are fixedly installed on the rotating shaft 66 at one end of the transmission belt 63.

[0032] The driven pulley 65 is connected to the driving pulley on the output shaft of the drive motor 60 via a connecting belt 61; the bottom of the drive motor 60 is fixedly installed to the worktable 1 via a support frame 64.

[0033] By adopting the above technical solution, when in use, the nuts are placed in the vibrating feeding plate 4. The discharge port of the vibrating feeding plate 4 is matched with one end of the transmission pipe 5, thereby effectively realizing the automatic sorting and transmission of nuts. Since the transmission pipe 5 is set at an inclination, the nuts are effectively transmitted between the transmission belt 63 and the two clamping belts 80. By the synchronous rotation of the transmission belt 63 and the two clamping belts 80, the nuts are effectively transmitted to the end away from the vibrating feeding plate 4.

[0034] In this embodiment, a controller 2 is fixedly installed on one side of the conveyor belt 63; a laser opening device 3 is fixedly installed on one end of the controller 2 near the conveyor belt 63 via a support rod; the laser opening device 3 is located at the top middle of the conveyor belt 63.

[0035] In this embodiment, the transmission component 6 is further provided with adjustment components 8 on both sides; the adjustment components 8 include driven gears 83 that mesh with the driving gear 62; the driven gears 83 are coaxially provided with two symmetrical first helical gears 84 through the connecting rod 87; the two ends of the connecting rod 87 are installed with the worktable 1 through bearing seats.

[0036] By adopting the above technical solution, during transmission, the drive motor 60 drives the driven pulley 65 to realize the synchronous rotation of the shaft 66, the transmission belt 63, and the drive gear 62, thereby achieving the effect of forward transmission of the nut. During the transmission process, in order to ensure the cooperation between the nut and the laser opening device 3, the drive gear 62 drives the driven gear 83 to rotate. When the driven gear 83 rotates, the two first helical gears 84 mesh with the corresponding second helical gears 85, thereby effectively realizing the rotation of the rotating rod 88 to drive the rotating wheel 82 to rotate through the second helical gear 85.

[0037] Furthermore, the connecting rod 87 also passes through two symmetrical C-shaped frames 86; the C-shaped frames 86 are located on one side of the first helical gear 84; and a rotating rod 88 is movably mounted on the C-shaped frames 86.

[0038] In this embodiment, a second helical gear 85 and a rotating wheel 82 are fixedly installed at both ends of the rotating rod 88; the second helical gear 85 is meshed with the first helical gear 84.

[0039] By adopting the above technical solution, through the cooperation between the two sets of first helical gears 84 and second helical gears 85, it is effectively ensured that the two clamping belts 80 and the transmission belt 63 are in the same direction.

[0040] In this embodiment, two sets of rotating wheels 82 are provided. The rotating wheel 82 at the end away from the C-shaped frame 86 is movably installed with the mounting frame 81 via a rotating rod 88. The two rotating wheels 82 on the same side are connected by a clamping strap 80.

[0041] The conveyor belt 63 is also provided with symmetrical elastic plates 7 on both sides; the elastic plates 7 are located inside the two clamping belts 80; the elastic plates 7 and the laser opening device 3 are on the same cross section.

[0042] By adopting the above technical solution, the elastic plates 7 set on both sides of the conveyor belt 63 effectively push the inner sides of the two clamping belts 80 inward through their own elasticity, thereby ensuring that the nuts can accurately pass through the bottom of the laser opener 3. The controller 2 effectively realizes automatic control of the laser opener 3, thereby ensuring the quality and efficiency of nut opening. After the opening is completed, the clamping belts 80 and the conveyor belt 63 continue to move, so that the nuts are transferred to the collection device through the discharge tongue 9 fixedly installed on the workbench 1.

[0043] As a further explanation of this embodiment, the control of the laser opening device by the controller is based on existing technology, and only a brief functional description is given here, without going into detail about its specific principles;

[0044] The nut opening mechanism mainly consists of five parts: a laser emission module (i.e., a laser opening device), a nut recognition and positioning module, a motion control module, a main controller, and a human-machine interface.

[0045] The nut identification and positioning module includes a vibrating feeding plate 4, a transmission pipe 5, and an elastic plate 7 for centering the nuts.

[0046] The motion control module uses an industrial CCD camera, which can be located inside the controller 2 or on the top of the laser aperture (not shown in the figure).

[0047] The laser emitting module is the core execution unit of the entire system. Its principle is based on the generation, modulation and focusing of laser, and it achieves the opening processing of nuts by precisely controlling the energy and path of the laser.

[0048] A laser rangefinder (such as a triangulation method) is integrated into the laser emission module to measure the distance between the nut surface and the focusing lens in real time. When the nut height fluctuates, the system automatically adjusts the lens focal length (via an electric focusing mechanism) to ensure that the laser is always focused on the shell surface, avoiding insufficient energy or overheating due to distance deviation.

[0049] Vibrating feeder 4 and conveyor pipe 5: enable the nuts to be arranged in a uniform direction and conveyed to the processing station;

[0050] The elastic plate 7 is used as a centering mechanism. The distance between the two elastic plates 7 is less than the distance between the two adjacent sides of the two clamping straps 80. This causes the adjacent sides of the two clamping straps 80 to expand inward, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the nut opening position.

[0051] The industrial CCD camera uses a high-resolution camera (≥5 million pixels) and is equipped with an LED ring light source to capture images of nuts from multiple angles.

[0052] Image processing algorithms:

[0053] Edge detection algorithms are used to identify the outline of nuts.

[0054] The center point and long axis direction of the nut were determined based on morphological analysis.

[0055] A three-dimensional model is built to calculate the curvature of the nut surface.

[0056] Identify the location of the fruit stalk and use it as the starting point for opening.

[0057] The laser aperture can be a CO2 pulsed laser with a wavelength of 10.6μm, a power between 50-100W, and a pulse frequency of 10-50kHz; or a fiber laser with a wavelength of 1.06μm and a power of 20-50W.

[0058] Controller 2 is an industrial-grade PLC (such as Siemens S7-1200) or an embedded controller (such as Advantech ARK-3520); it is equipped with an IO expansion module for acquiring sensor signals and controlling peripheral devices.

[0059] Software system: A real-time operating system (RTOS) is used to ensure that the system response time is less than 1ms.

[0060] Develop a laser processing path planning algorithm:

[0061] Generate spiral or straight opening trajectories based on the 3D model of the nut.

[0062] A database of pre-set processing parameters is used for different varieties of nuts.

[0063] Implement a PID control algorithm to ensure the stability of laser power and scanning speed.

[0064] Laser parameter control:

[0065] Power modulation: The main controller adjusts the laser power through PWM signals, with the power range between 30% and 100%.

[0066] Pulse frequency: can be dynamically adjusted according to the variety and hardness of the nuts.

[0067] The workflow involves first identifying and locating the nuts, then planning the laser processing path, and finally controlling the laser to perform the opening operation. During the opening process, an edge detection algorithm is used to identify the nut's outline; morphological analysis is used to determine the nut's center point and long axis direction; a three-dimensional model is built to calculate the curvature of the nut's surface; and the corresponding laser processing parameters are automatically called according to the nut's size, thus effectively ensuring the quality of the opening. This system combines advanced laser technology with intelligent control, enabling automated and precise opening of macadamia nuts, effectively improving production efficiency and product quality.

[0068] In addition, a high-efficiency smoke purifier can be installed. The smoke generated during the processing needs to be removed in a timely manner through a negative pressure system to avoid obstructing the camera's view. The specific location of the high-efficiency smoke purifier can be adjusted and installed according to actual needs.

[0069] The working principle of this utility model is as follows: When in use, nuts are placed in the vibrating feeding plate 4. The discharge port of the vibrating feeding plate 4 is matched with one end of the transmission pipe 5, thereby effectively realizing the automatic sorting and transmission of nuts. Since the transmission pipe 5 is set at an inclination, the nuts are effectively transmitted between the transmission belt 63 and the two clamping belts 80. By the synchronous rotation of the transmission belt 63 and the two clamping belts 80, the nuts are effectively transmitted to the end away from the vibrating feeding plate 4.

[0070] During transmission, the drive motor 60 drives the driven pulley 65 to make the shaft 66 drive the transmission belt 63 and the drive gear 62 to rotate synchronously, achieving the effect of forward transmission of the nuts. During the transmission process, in order to ensure the cooperation between the nuts and the laser opening device 3, the drive gear 62 drives the driven gear 83 to rotate. When the driven gear 83 rotates, the two first helical gears 84 mesh with the corresponding second helical gears 85, thereby effectively driving the rotating rod 88 to rotate the wheel 82 through the second helical gears 85. Through the cooperation between the two sets of first helical gears 84 and second helical gears 85, the direction of transmission of the two clamping belts 80 and the transmission belt 63 is effectively ensured. The gears and the two sets of helical gears are manually lubricated at regular intervals.

[0071] The elastic plates 7 set on both sides of the conveyor belt 63 effectively push the inner sides of the two clamping belts 80 inward through their own elasticity, thereby ensuring that the nuts can accurately pass through the bottom of the laser opener 3. The controller 2 effectively realizes automatic control of the laser opener 3, thereby ensuring the quality and efficiency of nut opening. After the opening is completed, the clamping belts 80 and the conveyor belt 63 continue to move, so that the nuts are transferred to the collection device through the discharge tongue 9 fixedly installed on the worktable 1.

[0072] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that it can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of this invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of this invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within this invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0073] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An automated macadamia nut opening machine, characterized in that: Includes a workbench (1); a vibrating feeding plate (4) is fixedly installed at one end of the workbench (1); a transmission pipe (5) is installed on one side of the vibrating feeding plate (4), and the transmission pipe (5) is inclined. The end of the transmission pipe (5) away from the vibrating feed plate (4) is engaged with the transmission assembly (6); the transmission assembly (6) includes a transmission belt (63); both ends of the transmission belt (63) are installed by connecting the belt bearing and the fixed frame through a rotating shaft (66); wherein a drive gear (62) and a driven pulley (65) are fixedly installed on the rotating shaft (66) at one end of the transmission belt (63).

2. The automated macadamia nut opening machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driven pulley (65) is connected to the driving pulley on the output shaft of the drive motor (60) via a connecting belt (61); the bottom of the drive motor (60) is fixedly installed on the worktable (1) via a support frame (64).

3. The automated macadamia nut opening machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: A controller (2) is fixedly installed on one side of the conveyor belt (63); a laser opening device (3) is fixedly installed on one end of the controller (2) near the conveyor belt (63) via a support rod; the laser opening device (3) is located at the top middle of the conveyor belt (63).

4. An automated macadamia nut opening machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: The transmission component (6) is also provided with adjustment components (8) on both sides; the adjustment component (8) includes a driven gear (83) meshing with the driving gear (62); the driven gear (83) has two symmetrical first helical gears (84) coaxially arranged through the connecting rod (87); the two ends of the connecting rod (87) are installed with the worktable (1) through bearing seats.

5. An automated macadamia nut opening machine according to claim 4, characterized in that: The connecting rod (87) also passes through two symmetrical C-shaped frames (86); the C-shaped frames (86) are located on one side of the first helical gear (84); a rotating rod (88) is also movably mounted on the C-shaped frames (86).

6. An automated macadamia nut opening machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: The two ends of the rotating rod (88) are respectively fixedly installed with a second helical gear (85) and a rotating wheel (82); the second helical gear (85) is meshed with the first helical gear (84).

7. An automated macadamia nut opening machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: The rotating wheels (82) are provided in two sets. The rotating wheel (82) at the end away from the C-shaped frame (86) is movably installed with the mounting frame (81) through the rotating rod (88). The two rotating wheels (82) on the same side are connected by a clamping strap (80).

8. An automated macadamia nut opening machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: The conveyor belt (63) is also provided with symmetrical elastic plates (7) on both sides; the elastic plates (7) are located inside the two clamping belts (80); the elastic plates (7) and the laser opening device (3) are in the same cross section.

Images