Sensor-Guided Dried Fruit Pitting for Moisture and Yield Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dried fruit pitting systems face challenges in achieving target pitting yield and moisture characteristics due to inappropriate adjustments in various system parameters, leading to suboptimal processing outcomes.
Innovation Solution
An automated system that utilizes sensors to receive and process data for determining optimal processing parameters, including moisture measurements, to control fruit steamer operation and pitting system parameters, ensuring efficient pitting and moisture content management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If parameters of each part of the pitting system are not adjusted appropriately, then pitting yield and moisture characteristics will not achieve target goals, but adjusting multiple parameters manually increases system complexity and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adjusts multiple parameters (transportation speed, steamer temperature, steam density, pitting mechanism speed, washing time) based on real-time sensor data and pre-stored optimal parameter sets for different fruit types, eliminating manual adjustment complexity while maintaining precise control over pitting yield and moisture characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor fruit characteristics and process conditions, feeding this data back to the controller which automatically adjusts parameters to maintain optimal pitting yield and moisture characteristics without requiring manual intervention
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of multiple system parameters is performed, then processing flexibility is improved, but processing time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-stores optimal parameter sets for different fruit types (e.g., prune, apricot, peach, pear, apple) in a database. When a fruit type is identified, the corresponding pre-optimized parameters are automatically retrieved and applied, eliminating the time required for manual parameter adjustment while maintaining processing flexibility across different fruit varieties
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts parameters in real-time based on sensor feedback and automated controller decisions, allowing flexible adaptation to different fruit types and conditions without the time penalty of manual reconfiguration. The transportation speed, steamer parameters, and pitting mechanism speed are continuously optimized during operation
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 system effectively optimizes pitting yield and moisture characteristics, minimizing rejects and processing time while maintaining quality, thus achieving desired packaged fruit specifications.
Implementation Method 1
a first moisture measurement device prior to a fruit steamer and a second moisture measurement device after a fruit pitter
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling a pitting system is disclosed. The system comprises a processor configured to: receive a first sensor data; receive a second sensor data; and determine a prune processing parameter based at least in part on the first sensor data and the second sensor data. The system further comprises a memory coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions.