Fruit Sorting Eliminator with Optical Detection and Knock-Out Remover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sorting systems for vegetables and fruit, such as apples and pears, face issues with oversized products damaging equipment and causing processing delays, and diseased products contaminating the system, leading to inefficiencies and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
An eliminator system that uses a detector, such as a camera or sensors, to identify oversized and diseased products before sorting, coupled with a remover that can separate these products from the flow using a knock-out element and discharge conveyor, ensuring they are removed before they enter the sorting device, thereby preventing damage and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sorting systems process products without pre-removal of oversized and diseased products, then the sorting process can continue without interruption, but equipment damage occurs and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and removal of oversized and diseased products before they enter the sorting device. A detector identifies unsuitable products and a remover eliminates them from the flow, preventing equipment damage while maintaining continuous sorting operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts harmful elements (oversized and diseased products) from the product flow before they reach the sorting device. The remover mechanism selectively removes these problematic products, allowing the main sorting process to continue uninterrupted.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sorting device is designed to handle maximum product dimensions, then all products can be processed, but oversized products cause damage and processing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The detector and remover system performs preliminary identification and elimination of oversized products before they enter the sorting device. This allows the sorting device to be designed for optimal performance within safe dimensions while preventing oversized products from causing damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The eliminator system acts as an intermediary between the product flow and the sorting device. It detects and removes problematic products, protecting the sorting device from damage while maintaining the ability to handle the intended product range efficiently.
3Productivity
If diseased products are included in the sorting process, then no additional removal steps are needed, but contamination and infection spread occur
Solution Approach 1:
The detector identifies diseased products before they enter the sorting device, and the remover eliminates them from the flow. This preliminary action prevents contamination and infection spread while maintaining efficient sorting operation on healthy products.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts diseased products from the product flow before they can contaminate other products or the sorting device. The remover mechanism selectively removes infected items, preventing the spread of contamination.
4Reliability
If a detector and remover system is added to the sorting line, then oversized and diseased products are removed effectively, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical inspection methods with optical or sensor-based detection. The detector uses optical fields or other non-contact sensing to identify problematic products, avoiding the need for complex mechanical inspection equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector and remover form an intermediary system that works in conjunction with the existing sorting device. This modular approach adds functionality without significantly complicating the overall system, as the eliminator operates independently but integrates seamlessly with the main sorting process.
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 enables effective and efficient sorting by preventing equipment damage, reducing downtime, and minimizing contamination risks, allowing for a higher sorting capacity and lower maintenance costs by removing unsuitable products before they enter the sorting process.
Implementation Method 1
use of a detector whereby a measurement can be performed of the dimensions of a product
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The invention relates to an eliminator for detecting and removing products, such as vegetables and fruit, which are oversized and/or have undesired product properties, and to a singulator and sorting system provided therewith, and method therefor. The eliminator comprises: - a feed system for supplying products; - a detector configured to determine dimensions and/or product properties of a product of the supplied products; - a controller operatively connected to the detector and configured to determine on the basis of determined dimensions and/or product properties of the product whether the product is suitable for processing in a sorting device; and - a remover operatively connected to the controller for separating products which are not suitable for processing in the sorting device from products which are suitable for processing in the sorting device.