V-Slot Cherry Singularizer with Rotating Blade Stem Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for singularizing and separating vegetable products joined by stems, such as cherries, are inefficient, leading to incomplete separation and clogging of processing equipment, especially under heavy workloads and with unripe products, which complicates subsequent processing and measurement.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a V-shaped slot and motor-driven belts integrates cutting means, specifically rotating circular blades positioned to intercept and cut stems, combined with rising faces to facilitate stem interception and serrated edges for precise cutting, ensuring effective separation and singularization of vegetable products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydraulic acceleration and centrifugal separation are used to separate vegetable products, then separation efficiency is improved for loosely joined products, but heavy workloads and unripe products remain inadequately separated causing clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus divides the separation process into two distinct stages: first hydraulic acceleration to separate loosely joined products, then mechanical cutting for remaining joined products. This segmentation allows each stage to handle specific cases, ensuring complete separation even under heavy workloads with unripe products that resist initial hydraulic separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic acceleration stage performs preliminary separation before the mechanical cutting stage. By first attempting to separate products through hydraulic forces, the system prepares the material stream so that only inadequately separated products (those still joined) require mechanical cutting, thus optimizing the overall separation process.
2Reliability
If mechanical cutting means are added to ensure complete separation, then separation completeness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus merges hydraulic acceleration mechanisms with mechanical cutting means into a single integrated system. The cutting means are positioned within the same apparatus structure, allowing both separation stages to occur in one continuous process flow without requiring separate equipment, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: hydraulic acceleration for initial separation and mechanical cutting for final separation. This multi-functionality is achieved within a single apparatus structure, making the system more versatile while avoiding the need for multiple separate devices.
3Productivity
If products are processed in bunches without prior singularization, then processing speed is maintained, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to uncertainty
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus performs preliminary singularization through hydraulic acceleration and mechanical cutting before products enter the calibration zone. This preliminary action ensures that by the time measurement occurs, all products are individually separated, eliminating measurement uncertainty while maintaining continuous processing flow and speed.
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 apparatus ensures reliable separation and singularization of vegetable products, reducing equipment clogging and improving processing efficiency by ensuring complete separation and accurate cutting of stems, even with unripe or heavily joined products.
Implementation Method 1
separation means suitable to separate two or more said vegetable products connected by relative petioles or stalks, and comprising cutting means arranged in a lateral position, preferably symmetrical to said V-shaped slot
Implementation Method 2
two motor-driven belts installed on the respective said two opposite walls and arranged toward the bottom of the slot, and driven with a synchronous motion in a direction parallel to said slot
Implementation Method 3
said cutting means consist of one, preferably two, rotating circular blades positioned on a horizontal plane, typically on the same plane
Implementation Method 4
separate the bundles or bunches of cherries by means of their being drawn up into a suitable duct in which a flow of water containing said bundles is swirled, so as to produce the desired result, which consists of separating the cherries through the effect of the centrifugal force impressed on them
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~2A
Figure 3~3A
AI summary
Apparatus for the singularization and separation of vegetable products, in particular cherries, and comprising a conveying and singularization line for said products, defined in a V-shaped slot (1) and provided with two first motorized belts (3A, 4A) installed on opposite walls (3, 4) defining said slot and arranged on the bottom thereof, wherein said apparatus includes separating means suitable to separate two or more of said vegetable products connected to each other by relative stems and including one or more cutting means (5, 6), preferably consisting of one or two circular blades rotating around a respective axis preferably orthogonal to the direction of said "V" slot; preferably, in the position corresponding to said rotating circular blades (5, 6), on the upper edges of said opposite walls is installed a respective rising face (10, 11) oriented upwardly and preferably inclined and lying on the same plane of the respective said opposite wall, parallel to the direction of said "V" slot, provided with a front edge that is downwardly oriented and inclined toward the direction of origin of the vegetable products, and the lower corner of which is substantially disposed on the upper edge of the respective opposite wall; the two lower portions of the two circular blades rotate at a height that is lower than the upper side of the respective rising face, and said circular blades are arranged externally of the upper sides of the respective said rising face.