Almond Fruit and Shell Separation via Friction Differential
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating fruits from almond shells after shredding are inefficient due to similar size and weight, leading to damage and multiple passes, which compromise product quality and increase production costs.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a hopper that loads products onto a vibrating plane with longitudinal channels, where toothed wheels transport them to a slanted chute with a rough surface, utilizing friction differences to separate fruits and shells, with a reverse V-shaped separator for final separation, optimizing the angle and roughness for maximum acceleration difference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical detection with compressed air jet is used to separate fruits from shells, then color-based selection is achieved, but fruits are damaged due to multiple passes and air jet impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical detection and compressed air jet system with a purely mechanical separation system based on friction differences. The slanted chute with scored surface creates differential friction between fruits and shells, eliminating the need for optical sensors and air jets that cause fruit damage during multiple passes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the separation surface by scoring the chute to create specific roughness. This modifies the friction coefficient between the surface and the products, enabling mechanical separation based on the different friction characteristics of fruits and shells without damaging the fruits
2Quantity of substance
If suction method with needles is used to remove shells, then lighter shells are separated, but fruits are damaged by needle transfixion and oil leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the suction method with needle transfixion with a friction-based mechanical separation system. The slanted chute with scored surface allows shells and fruits to separate naturally based on their different friction coefficients, eliminating the need for needles that pierce and damage the fruits
3Speed
If rapid descent along slanted chute is used to accelerate product, then separation speed increases, but differentiation capability decreases due to disordered sliding and multiple contacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by scoring the chute surface before the products arrive. This pre-configured roughness pattern ensures that when products slide down, they immediately experience the intended friction differential, preventing disordered sliding and multiple contacts that would occur on a smooth surface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the surface parameter of the chute by adding scores to create controlled roughness. This changes the friction coefficient between the chute surface and the products, enabling precise speed differentiation even at high descent speeds by ensuring consistent single-layer contact
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
Effectively separates fruits from shells without damaging them, reducing the need for multiple passes and improving product quality by leveraging friction differences and adjustable components for optimal separation.
Implementation Method 1
The vibrating plane (5) is subjected to the action of a vibrating motion (8), which gives the plane (5) a longitudinal vibration
Implementation Method 2
The chute (12) is provided with a rough surface... the wooden shells (4) of the almonds, smooth and hard, by sliding on the chute (12), are subjected to a sliding friction lower than that to which the fruits (3) are subjected
Implementation Method 3
The chute (12) is slanted by an angle α with respect to the horizontal... the shells (4), by sliding on the chute (12), are strongly accelerated
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (1) is described, adapted to separate fruits (3) from wooden shells (4) of almonds, after the almonds have been squashed by suitable shredding machines, of a type which provides for sliding fruits (3) and shells (4) on a rough surface adapted to differentiate the sliding speed of fruits (3) from that of shells (4) so that fruits (3) and shells (4), by reaching the end of the rough surface at different speeds, are capable of performing jumps of different lengths, in order to be collected into vessels (13, 14) placed at different distances from the outlet edge of the rough surface.