Avocado Cutting and Pitting Machine for Low-Deformation Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing avocado cutting and pitting machines require complex construction, result in imprecise and irregular cuts, and cause significant deformation of the fruit pulp due to compression, while also needing precise fruit orientation.
Innovation Solution
A cutting and pitting process involving a multi-lane machine with fruit-holding flights and a cutting station that uses pairs of knives with horizontal and vertical cutting steps, along with a plunger to detach the pit from the pulp, minimizing fruit deformation and ensuring precise separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If blades are inserted into the fruit and pass through it from top to bottom, then the cutting operation can be performed, but the cut becomes imprecise and irregular due to compression action on the fruit fibers
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inserting blades vertically from top to bottom through the fruit, the invention inverts the approach by using horizontal blades that move vertically upward to meet the fruit. This reversal eliminates the compression action that caused imprecise cuts, as the blades now approach the fruit from below without compressing the fibers in the same manner.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the cutting dimension by transitioning from vertical blade insertion to horizontal blade arrangement with vertical movement. The blades are positioned horizontally and move vertically to perform the cutting action, fundamentally changing the spatial relationship between blade motion and fruit structure, thereby eliminating compression-induced imprecision.
2Manufacturing precision
If a central vertical cut is made lateral to the pit, then the fruit is divided into two halves, but the construction complexity of the machine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting system is segmented into multiple independent horizontal blades arranged in series, each capable of vertical movement. This segmentation allows the complex task of dividing multiple fruits simultaneously to be accomplished through simple, replicated blade units rather than a single complex cutting mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal blades serve multiple functions: they perform the cutting action, control the depth of cut through their vertical movement, and can be adjusted to accommodate different fruit sizes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each cutting parameter, simplifying overall machine construction.
3Manufacturing precision
If the fruit is held neatly oriented during cutting, then precise cutting can be achieved, but the process requires precise fruit orientation which complicates the feeding system
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the fruit to be oriented vertically for top-to-bottom cutting, the invention inverts the cutting direction so that horizontal blades move vertically upward through horizontally oriented fruits. This eliminates the need for complex vertical orientation systems while maintaining cut precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the orientation requirement by transitioning from vertical fruit orientation to horizontal fruit orientation. The fruits are presented horizontally to the cutting station, and the horizontal blades move vertically to perform the cut, fundamentally changing the spatial requirements and simplifying the feeding system.
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 process achieves precise cutting and pitting with minimal fruit deformation, allowing easy pit removal from the pulp, without requiring precise fruit orientation.
Implementation Method 1
the avocado pit is beaten by means of a plunger to be slightly moved inside the avocado and detached from the pulp
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~8
Figure 9
AI summary
An avocado cutting and pitting process has steps of: vertically approaching pairs of knives (43, 44) to the fruit-holding flights (22) so that blades (47) of each pair of knives are inserted in opposite sides of the avocado and in diametrical slots (51) of fruit-holding flights recesses (5); horizontally moving the pairs of knives (43, 44) so that the blades (47) approach each other around the same avocado pit (N); horizontally moving the pairs of knives (43, 44) so that the blades (47) move away from each other with respect to the pit (N); lowering plungers (8) for beating the pits (N); lifting the plungers (8) with respect to the pits (N); and vertically removing the pairs of knives (43, 44) with respect to the avocados (A) cut and pitted on the fruit-holding flights (22). A multi-lane machine for the process is also described.