Cluster Stem Cutting Layout With Positioning Ramps and Grooved Table
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for separating clustered agricultural products, such as cherries, often result in irregular stem cutting due to haphazard loading and require complex adjustments for varying stem lengths, leading to inefficient processing and potential damage to delicate produce.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a support structure and multiple cutting modules featuring rotating blades and adjustable ramps, where clusters are aligned with grooves and ramps to ensure precise cutting at the stem connection point, and a mobile structure allows simultaneous adjustment of all cutting modules for different stem lengths without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If clusters are carried on moving belts in a haphazard and unguided manner, then the system is simple to apply, but the cutting of stems is irregular and not at the optimal point
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus orients and positions the clusters on the conveying surface before they reach the cutting zone. The stems are aligned parallel to the conveying direction and positioned at a predetermined distance from the cutting plane, ensuring that the cut occurs at or near the stem connection point rather than arbitrarily along the stem length.
Solution Approach 2:
A positioning element or guide structure acts as an intermediary between the haphazardly loaded clusters and the cutting blades. This intermediary component orients the clusters properly and maintains their position during conveyance, enabling precise cutting without requiring complex adjustments to the loading process.
2Ease of manufacture
If the system uses fixed ramps with constant inclination, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying stem lengths from different product lots
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp inclination is made adjustable rather than fixed. The apparatus allows modification of the ramp angle to suit different stem lengths encountered in various product lots. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to adapt to varying product characteristics while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometric parameters of the ramps, specifically the inclination angle, can be changed to accommodate different stem lengths. By adjusting this parameter, the system optimizes the positioning and cutting accuracy for various agricultural products without requiring complete structural redesign.
3Speed
If continuous shaking is applied to move clusters toward rotating blades on an inclined plane, then clusters are moved effectively, but delicate produce is damaged through rubbing against the plane
Solution Approach 1:
Clusters are oriented and positioned on a gentle inclined conveying surface before reaching the cutting zone. This preliminary positioning allows gravity to naturally guide the clusters toward the cutting area without requiring intense shaking, thereby reducing mechanical damage to delicate produce while maintaining effective movement.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous intense shaking, the apparatus uses controlled vibration or oscillation to facilitate cluster movement along the incline. This reduced-intensity mechanical vibration is sufficient to move clusters toward the rotating blades while minimizing rubbing and damage to the produce.
4Manufacturing precision
If individual adjustment of each cutting module is required for different stem lengths, then cutting precision can be optimized, but processing time increases due to manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cutting modules are combined into a single apparatus with a common adjustment mechanism. Instead of requiring individual manual adjustment of each module, the system allows simultaneous adjustment of all cutting modules to accommodate different stem lengths, thereby maintaining cutting precision while significantly reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus enables simultaneous change of geometric parameters (such as ramp inclination or blade positioning) across all cutting modules through a unified adjustment mechanism. This allows the system to adapt to varying stem lengths in different product lots without requiring sequential manual intervention at each module, thus preserving precision while improving productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for the separation of agricultural or vegetable product, with a fixed structure having two parallel horizontal side members, a plurality of cutting modules equipped with a common rotating shaft having a plurality of rotating blades in fixed position along its length, the shafts being parallel to each other and mounted above conveying elements suitable to carry the products placed thereon toward the rotating blades, a plurality of positioning ramps mounted in a position corresponding to a respective rotating blade and having a shape elongated in the direction of movement of the conveying elements and almost flattened and oriented vertically, the elongate upper edge of which is oriented downward toward the conveying elements with an inclination such that the height of the edges increases in the feeding direction of the conveying elements, so that the clusters of products placed on the conveying elements are carried toward the ramps. The respective upper edge determines the point of intersection of the respective blade with the stems of each cluster carried under the blade, so that the conveying elements include a table formed by a plurality of parallel grooves substantially orthogonal to the rotating shafts and reciprocally separated by respective raised portions. The table moves in a direction parallel to the grooves; and the ramps are arranged in positions corresponding to the respective grooves. The projection of each of the ramps with respect to one of the groove is aligned with the same groove.