Bypass Passage Hydraulic Batching for Fruit Accumulation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic systems for grouping semi-floating fruits and vegetables face challenges in maintaining sufficient hydraulic current speed for efficient transport and accumulation without causing overflow, especially when dealing with varying object sizes and densities, which can lead to turbulence and overflow issues.

Innovation Solution

The system incorporates a diversion passage in each accumulation channel to manage the hydraulic current flow, allowing for adjustable speed control and minimizing channel height, enabling efficient superposition of objects while preventing overflow by diverting part of the hydraulic current, thus maintaining optimal flow rates across all channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the speed of the hydraulic current is increased to improve transport efficiency and accumulation speed, then productivity is improved, but turbulence phenomena occur causing damage to objects and overflow of the accumulation channel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport efficiencyVSAvoidturbulence damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The accumulation channel is divided into two separate flow paths: a main channel for object accumulation and a bypass passage for excess hydraulic current. This segmentation allows the main channel to maintain lower speeds for gentle object handling while the bypass handles the remaining flow, preventing overflow without causing turbulence to accumulated objects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bypass passage acts as an intermediary element that diverts excess hydraulic current away from the accumulation zone. This mediator prevents the direct interaction between high-speed flow and accumulated objects, eliminating turbulence damage while maintaining overall system productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If the height of the accumulation channel is reduced to minimize floor area, then space utilization is improved, but the channel cannot accommodate sufficient object superposition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefloor areaVSAvoidaccumulation capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The bypass passage extends underneath the accumulation channel, utilizing the vertical dimension and sub-channel space. This allows the main accumulation channel to remain shallow for compact floor area while the bypass provides additional flow capacity below, effectively increasing accumulation capacity without increasing footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the hydraulic current speed is reduced to prevent overflow, then overflow risk is decreased, but the speed is insufficient to cause hydraulic superposition and leads to slower operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverflow preventionVSAvoidoperation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically balances flow distribution between the main accumulation channel and the bypass passage. The bypass automatically adjusts to carry excess flow based on accumulation level, allowing the main channel to maintain optimal speed for hydraulic superposition while preventing overflow through the bypass's capacity to handle variable flow rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution ensures reliable hydraulic current management across all accumulation channels, preventing overflow and allowing for efficient transport and superposition of objects, regardless of object type or filling rate, while optimizing productivity and minimizing damage to fragile items.

Implementation Method 1

objects having sufficient buoyancy in a hydraulic current to be able to be transported by the latter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

a flow of a hydraulic current capable of transporting the objects along the accumulation channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic flow:

Implementation Method 3

each accumulation channel comprises at least one bypass passage extending from at least one inlet provided upstream of the superposition zone and adapted to divert part of the flow of the hydraulic current

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic flow diversion:

Data Source

PatentEP3710386B1Device for batching fruit or vegetables, the accumulation canals of which are provided with bypass passages

Publication Date: 2024.02.07 MAF AGROBOTIC

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for batching at least semi-buoyant objects belonging to the fruit and vegetables category, the device comprising a plurality of accumulation canals (11), a hydraulic feed device for each accumulation canal (11), a device for feeding an upstream portion of each accumulation canal with objects, a collection canal downstream of each accumulation canal (11), and a device (14) for restraining/releasing objects in each accumulation canal. Each accumulation canal (11) comprises at least one hydraulic-stream bypass passage (30) extending from at least one bypass passage inlet (30) situated upstream of the restraining/releasing device (14) as far as at least one bypass passage outlet (30) opening downstream of the restraining/releasing device (14). A bypass valve (32) makes it possible to adjust the said proportion of the flow diverted into the bypass.