A device for extracting juice from fruit and/or vegetable items
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing juice extractors are not suitable for extracting juice from apples due to their distinct structure, requiring a different extraction process compared to oranges, and there is a need for a compact, reliable, cost-effective, and easy-to-operate device for apples.
Innovation Solution
A device with a grater unit featuring a movable perforated grater plate and plungers for grating and pressing, a rotating carousel with three pressing chambers for sequential grating, pressing, and pulp ejection, and gravity-assisted transport of items, pulp, and juice, allowing for simultaneous operation of these steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional juice extractor design is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot effectively extract juice from apples due to their distinct structure
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into three functionally independent pressing chambers (first pressing chamber for grating, second pressing chamber for pressing, third pressing chamber for pulp ejection), each handling a specific stage of the apple juice extraction process. This segmentation allows the device to adapt to apple's structure by providing specialized processing zones while keeping each chamber's design relatively simple and modular.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing chambers are designed to be movable relative to each other along the feeding direction, with adjustable positions that can be independently controlled. This dynamic configuration allows the device to adapt to different fruit types and sizes, particularly apple's core structure, while maintaining a compact overall design through coordinated movement rather than fixed complex mechanisms.
2Productivity
If sequential processing steps are used, then the device structure is simple, but the extraction efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The three pressing chambers operate simultaneously in a continuous workflow: while the first chamber is grating apples, the second chamber is pressing pulp, and the third chamber is ejecting finished pulp. This continuous operation eliminates idle time between processing stages, significantly improving juice extraction efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple linear arrangement of chambers without complex coordination mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary grating in the first pressing chamber before the pulp moves to the second chamber for pressing. This preliminary processing prepares the apple material in advance, ensuring that when pulp reaches the pressing stage, it is already optimally prepared for juice extraction, thereby improving overall efficiency without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.
3Productivity
If multiple processing steps are performed in separate locations, then each step can be optimized, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The three pressing chambers are arranged in a nested or closely integrated configuration where each chamber builds upon the previous one in the feeding direction. The chambers share common structural elements and are positioned to minimize empty space, with the output of one chamber directly feeding into the next. This nesting approach allows all three processing steps to be optimized simultaneously while keeping the overall device footprint compact.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of arranging the three processing steps in a simple linear sequence that would extend the device length, the pressing chambers are positioned to utilize three-dimensional space more efficiently. The chambers can be arranged with partial overlap in vertical or lateral dimensions, allowing gravity-assisted material flow while reducing the device's horizontal footprint and improving compactness without sacrificing processing effectiveness.
4Ease of operation
If manual operation is used, then the device is easy to operate, but the extraction process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to automatically advance apple material through the three pressing chambers using gravity-assisted movement and self-propelled mechanisms. Once apple is loaded into the first chamber, the system automatically progresses through grating, pressing, and pulp ejection without requiring manual intervention at each stage. This self-service operation maintains simplicity for the user while dramatically reducing the total extraction time compared to manual processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing chambers operate in a periodic cycle where each chamber sequentially performs its function (grating, pressing, ejection) in a repeating pattern. This periodic operation allows the system to maintain continuous throughput while using simple, repeatable mechanical actions that are easy to control and operate, reducing extraction time without requiring complex continuous control systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device efficiently extracts juice from apples in a compact, reliable, and cost-effective manner, ensuring easy operation and effective juice collection, addressing the specific requirements for apple juice extraction.
Implementation Method 1
a movable perforated grater plate provided with apertures with sharpened rims arranged to cut the surface of said item
Implementation Method 2
a movable pressing plunger for pressing juice from said pulp through a pressing sieve
Implementation Method 3
gravity-assisted transport of items, pulp, and juice
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A device for extracting juice from fruit and/or vegetable items, in particular apples (10), wherein a pressing chamber (26) is arranged to be moved relative to said device in a repeating sequence to three different positions (31,32,33), said three positions being: a first position (31) wherein a pulp receiving opening of the pressing chamber (26) is located immediately adjacent a grater unit (16), such that in said position a grating step can take place wherein said pulp is received from the grater unit (16) directly in the pressing chamber (26); a second position (32) wherein the pulp receiving opening is located immediately adjacent a pressing plunger (34) and the pulp ejection opening is located immediately adjacent a pressing sieve (35), such that in said position a pressing step can take place wherein juice is pressed from the pulp through the sieve (35) and into juice collecting means (37); and a third position (33) wherein the pulp ejection opening is in open communication with pulp collecting means (6), such that in said position a pulp ejection step can take place wherein the pulp is removed from the pressing chamber (26) through the ejection opening.