Fruit squeezing system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fruit squeezing machines are inflexible and inefficient, as they are designed for a single type of fruit, leading to issues with varying fruit sizes, peel thickness, and hardness, resulting in either under- or over-squeezing, mechanical failures, and manual adjustments that increase downtime and risk of breakage.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent fruit squeezing system with multiple motors controlling independent components, allowing for adjustable speed, pressure, and movement paths, enabling automatic adaptation to different fruit characteristics, and featuring a control unit that detects blockages and optimizes squeezing parameters to prevent peel damage and ensure high-quality juice extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single motor drives all components for cutting and squeezing, then the machine structure is simple and synchronized, but the machine cannot adapt to different fruit types and experiences mechanical failures affecting entire operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single motor system into multiple independent motors: a first motor for driving cup rotation, a second motor for driving squeezer ball movement, and a third motor for blade rotation. This segmentation allows each motor to be independently controlled and adjusted according to different fruit characteristics, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control where the control unit adjusts the operation parameters (speed, pressure, movement path) of each motor based on detected fruit characteristics such as size, hardness, and peel thickness. This dynamic adaptation enables the machine to handle various fruit types effectively while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of cup and squeezer ball space is allowed, then adaptation to different fruit sizes is possible, but handling mechanical parts continuously increases breakdown risk and downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automatic detection and adjustment system where sensors detect fruit characteristics (size, hardness, peel thickness) and the control unit automatically adjusts the space between cups and squeezer balls, as well as motor parameters, without requiring manual intervention. This self-service mechanism eliminates continuous handling of mechanical parts, thereby reducing breakdown risk and downtime while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback loops where the control unit continuously monitors fruit characteristics and adjusts motor operations in real-time. This feedback mechanism ensures optimal performance across different fruit types while maintaining reliability through automated control rather than manual adjustment.
3Device complexity
If a fixed vertical squeezing path is used, then the machine structure is simple, but fruits of different sizes and hardness cannot be properly squeezed without causing jams or peel damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed vertical squeezing path into a dynamic, adjustable path. The control unit modifies the movement trajectory, pressure, and speed of the squeezer balls based on detected fruit characteristics such as size and hardness. This dynamic adjustment allows the same mechanical structure to adapt to various fruit types without causing jams or peel damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (squeezer ball movement distance, pressure force, speed) based on fruit characteristics. The control unit adjusts these parameters dynamically, allowing the squeezing path to effectively adapt to different fruit sizes and hardness levels without requiring complex mechanical path changes.
4Productivity
If excessive pressure is applied to hard fruits with thick peels, then juice extraction is maximized, but the peel breaks or is squeezed causing bitter juice
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the squeezing pressure parameter based on detected fruit characteristics such as hardness and peel thickness. For hard fruits with thick peels, the system applies sufficient pressure to maximize juice extraction while automatically limiting the pressure to prevent peel rupture. This parameter optimization ensures high productivity without causing harmful peel damage that would result in bitter juice.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from fruit characteristic detection to continuously optimize squeezing pressure. The control unit monitors the interaction between squeezer balls and fruit, adjusting pressure in real-time to achieve optimal extraction without exceeding the threshold that would cause peel damage and bitterness.
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 provides efficient and flexible juice extraction for various fruits by automatically adjusting to size and peel thickness, reducing mechanical failures and manual intervention, ensuring high-quality juice and optimized performance with continuous operation and improved hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
a first motor which exclusively drives the vertical displacement means of the cup assemblies
Implementation Method 2
a second motor which exclusively drives the rotation means of the cup assemblies
Implementation Method 3
a central blade for cutting the fruit into two halves
Implementation Method 4
a pair of fixed squeezer balls, each arranged under one of the cup assemblies, which perform vertical squeezing of the fruit halves by vertical displacement of the cup assemblies on said squeezer balls
Implementation Method 5
means for measuring the intensity generated in the first motor by the driving of the vertical displacement means of the cup assemblies, and a control unit to which the first motor and the intensity measuring means are connected, configured to independently control the first motor
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
A fruit squeezing system, with a feed system (1) and cutting and squeezing means with a pair of cup assemblies (3) that are vertically displaceable by vertical displacement means (10) and rotationally, in opposite directions, by rotation means (11); below these a cutting assembly (4) with a blade (5) and peel extraction means; and one pair of fixed squeezer balls (6), each of these below one of the cup assemblies, for the vertical squeezing of the fruit halves by means of the vertical displacement of the cup assemblies (3). The system has a first motor (12) exclusively for the operation of the vertical displacement means (10); means for the measurement of the intensity thereof, and a control unit which independently governs the first motor (12) and halts it when the intensity measured exceeds a pre-set range of values.