Juice Extractor Load-Sensitive Coupler Jam Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Juice processing plants face productivity losses due to frequent jamming of fruit feeders in juice extractors, which often go unnoticed until operators replace the shear pin, leading to incapacitation of the extraction process.

Innovation Solution

A juice extractor with a load-sensitive coupler and decoupling detector, utilizing a proximity sensor or other sensors to detect jamming and automatically shut down the extraction drive, preventing further damage and allowing for timely maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a shear pin is used to decouple the drive motor from the drive shaft when jamming occurs, then the extraction system is protected from damage, but the system remains incapacitated until an operator discovers and replaces the shear pin, causing productivity loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from damageVSAvoiddowntime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a sensor detects the position of the drive shaft and sends signals to a controller. When the sensor detects that the drive shaft has stopped rotating (indicating a jam), the controller activates an indicator to alert operators and automatically shuts down the extraction drive, providing real-time feedback about system status and enabling immediate response to jams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-diagnosis and self-protection by automatically detecting jams through sensor feedback and shutting down the extraction drive without operator intervention. The indicator system also serves itself by automatically alerting operators to the location and nature of the problem, reducing the need for continuous manual monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of repair

If operators manually monitor and replace shear pins in juice extractors, then maintenance can be performed, but frequent jams go unnoticed for extended periods due to limited operator attention, leading to productivity losses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance capabilityVSAvoiddetection delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor continuously monitors the drive shaft position and provides real-time feedback to the controller. When the drive shaft stops rotating, the controller immediately activates the indicator, eliminating detection delays and ensuring operators are notified instantly of jams, allowing for rapid maintenance response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical monitoring with an automated sensor-based detection system. The sensor optically or electrically detects the position of the drive shaft, substituting human observation with an automated sensing mechanism that operates continuously without fatigue or distraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If the extraction drive continues operating after a shear pin failure, then the system remains productive, but the jammed feeder causes further damage and prolonged incapacitation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoiddamage from continued operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor provides continuous feedback on drive shaft rotation status. When the shaft stops (indicating shear pin failure), the controller receives this feedback and automatically shuts down the extraction drive, preventing further operation with a jammed feeder and avoiding additional damage while protecting the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system takes preliminary protective action by automatically shutting down the extraction drive before further damage can occur. The sensor and controller work together to detect the jam condition and preemptively stop operation, counteracting the potential harm of continued operation with a failed component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 prevents unnecessary downtime by immediately detecting feeder jams and shutting down the system, thereby maintaining productivity and reducing operator intervention for maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

a decoupling detector for detecting decoupling of the load sensitive coupler. The juice extractor may also include a plurality of juice extracting positions and a fruit feeder for feeding fruit thereto

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProximity sensing:

Data Source

PatentUS7421945B2Juice extractor including fruit feeder decoupling detector and associated methods

Publication Date: 2008.09.09 JBT MAREL CORPORATION

AI summary

A fruit juice extractor may include a load sensitive coupler coupling a drive motor to a drive shaft during normal operation, and decoupling the drive motor from the drive shaft when the fruit feed members become jammed. The extractor may also include a decoupling detector for detecting decoupling of the load sensitive coupler. The load sensitive coupler may include a rotatable drive hub rotatably carried by a drive shaft and connected to a drive motor, a fixed hub fixed to the drive shaft adjacent the rotatable drive hub, and a shear pin extending between the rotatable drive hub and the fixed hub. The shear pin may couple the rotatable drive hub and the fixed hub together during normal operation and shear to decouple the rotatable drive hub from the fixed hub when the fruit feed members become jammed.