Hydraulic Flume Singulation for Fruit Sorting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automated sorting systems for fruit, such as cherry singulation, often result in damage due to impacts and chaffing between articles and apparatus surfaces, especially at high speeds, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies.

Innovation Solution

A singulation apparatus using a flume with controlled fluid flow, such as water, to guide articles along, combined with a pliable landing surface to cushion impacts, and adjustable load belt speeds to optimize singulation and minimize damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high speed automated sorting is used, then productivity is improved, but article damage increases due to impacts and chaffing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesorting speedVSAvoidarticle damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a water flume system where articles float on water during singulation and transport. This hydraulic approach replaces mechanical conveyance, eliminating impacts and chaffing while maintaining high processing speeds. The water current controls article movement without physical contact from mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

Water acts as an intermediary medium between the singulation apparatus and the articles. Instead of articles directly contacting mechanical surfaces that cause damage, they are carried on water, which serves as a protective intermediary layer throughout the singulation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If traditional mechanical singulation apparatus is used, then singulation function is achieved, but article surface damage occurs due to chaffing and scraping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingulation functionVSAvoidsurface chaffing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical singulation surfaces with a hydraulic system. Articles are singulated by controlling water flow and positioning within the flume, eliminating direct contact with mechanical surfaces that cause chaffing and scraping of article surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes a mechanical singulation system with a hydraulic one. Instead of using mechanical guides, belts, or surfaces to direct articles, the system uses water flow dynamics to achieve singulation, thereby eliminating mechanical contact that causes surface damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If articles are funneled into single line using conventional methods, then singulation is achieved, but impacts between articles and apparatus walls occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingulation effectivenessVSAvoidimpact force

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses water flow to guide and singulate articles along the flume. The hydraulic system provides gentle guidance through water current control rather than forcing articles against physical walls, significantly reducing impact forces while maintaining effective singulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The water flume provides a cushioning medium before articles can potentially impact any surfaces. Articles are supported on water throughout the singulation process, preventing direct impacts with apparatus walls by providing beforehand cushioning through the hydraulic medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 solution effectively reduces damage to delicate articles by minimizing impacts and chaffing, improving singulation efficiency and handling rates while maintaining high throughput.

Implementation Method 1

a fluid inlet associated with the first end and arranged in use to direct a fluid flow to carry the received articles along the flume to a second end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

The pliable landing surface reduces the impact on landing cherries or other delicate articles therefore minimizing damage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact cushioning: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS9840376B2Singulation apparatus and method

Publication Date: 2017.12.12 TOMRA FOOD (BELGIUM) NV

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to apparatus for carrying articles such as fruit for sorting, and in particular though not exclusively to apparatus for singulating the articles. There is provided a singulation apparatus for an article carrying system, the apparatus comprising a flume adapted to receive a plurality of articles at a first end; a fluid inlet associated with the first end and arranged in use to direct a fluid flow to carry the received articles along the flume to a second end; wherein a parameter of the fluid flow is controlled in order to singulate the received articles along the flume. A method for singulation is also disclosed.