Induction-Powered Conveyor Carriage for Fruit Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fruit handling equipment is complex, expensive, and requires lengthy setup due to critical timing of its components, with significant power consumption from motor-driven sprockets, making it inefficient and costly to operate.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system with interlinked fruit carrying carriages and roller conveyors, where the carriages are supported by plastic components with a latching mechanism and remotely controllable solenoids for efficient fruit ejection, and power is supplied through magnetic induction, reducing the need for a conventional chain and minimizing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a series of carriages clipped onto chain driven by sprockets is used, then the fruit can be carried and rotated through photographic and weighing zones, but the equipment becomes very complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex chain and sprocket drive system from the fruit handling equipment. Instead of using a conventional chain-driven mechanism, the invention uses a simpler conveyor belt system that carries fruit directly through the processing zones, eliminating the need for multiple carriages, clips, and complex timing mechanisms while maintaining reliable fruit handling
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor belt serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transports fruit through the photographic zone, carries fruit to the weighing zone, and provides the ejection mechanism. This multi-functional approach replaces the specialized components (separate carriages, clips, rotation mechanisms) with a single integrated system, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If the timing of components is set up to ensure proper operation, then the fruit handling process works correctly, but the setup becomes a lengthy operation
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt system is self-synchronizing because all fruit handling operations occur continuously as fruit moves along the belt. The photographic zone, weighing zone, and ejection points are fixed at specific locations along the belt, eliminating the need for complex timing adjustments. The system automatically maintains proper sequencing through its continuous motion, reducing setup time while ensuring reliable operation
3Reliability
If motor-driven sprockets are used to drive the chain, then the fruit handling equipment operates reliably, but the power consumption is significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the motor-driven chain and sprocket mechanical system with a conveyor belt system that uses friction-based or roller-based propulsion. This substitution eliminates the need for high-power motors and complex mechanical transmissions, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable fruit handling through the photographic and weighing zones
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 is more efficient, cost-effective, and easier to assemble and maintain, using 25% less power while enhancing accuracy and reducing noise and complexity, resulting in a more reliable and efficient fruit handling process.
Implementation Method 1
The solenoid may be powered by induction
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
Fruit handling equipment comprising a conveyor having a plurality of linked carriages, each supporting at least one fruit carrying cup pivotally secured to the carriage, each cup having a latching mechanism operable to hold the cup in a fruit carrying mode and releasable to cause the cup to pivot to a delatched position to eject the fruit, and remotely controllable means in each carriage to release the latching mechanism.