Juice Output Filter Detection for Strainer Tube Failure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fruit juice processing systems, such as citrus juice extractors and finishers, face issues with undetected malfunctions in strainer tubes and screens, leading to contamination of downstream equipment and prolonged downtime due to the release of undesired materials like core, peel, and excess pulp into the juice stream.
Innovation Solution
A fruit juice apparatus equipped with an undesired material release detector system that identifies malfunctioning devices by detecting changes in pressure or filter movement, allowing for quick repair and preventing contamination, featuring a housing with a filter plate and magnetic sensors to manage the flow and stop the affected device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the strainer tube is located inside the juice extractor, then the extraction process is compact and efficient, but the strainer tube is not readily visible and locating failure requires partial disassembly of each extractor
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses automatic detection sensors and indicators that allow the strainer tube failure detection to be performed without manual inspection or disassembly. The failure detection system serves itself by automatically identifying and reporting malfunctioning strainer tubes through optical sensors and indicator lights, eliminating the need for service personnel to partially disassemble each extractor.
2Reliability
If manual inspection of strainer tubes is performed, then failure can be detected, but the extraction process must be halted and downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback through optical sensors that monitor the strainer tube condition in real-time during operation. When a failure is detected, the system provides immediate feedback through indicator lights and can automatically shut down the affected extractor, allowing failure detection without halting the overall extraction process and minimizing downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensors continuously monitor the strainer tube condition before actual failure occurs or immediately upon failure, detecting changes in light transmission patterns. This preliminary detection capability allows for rapid response and minimizes the time the extraction process needs to be halted, as the system is already aware of the failure condition.
3Device complexity
If no detection system is used, then the apparatus is simpler, but undesired material release contaminates downstream equipment and product loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical inspection methods with optical detection technology. Optical sensors use light transmission principles to detect strainer tube failures non-contactly, substituting mechanical disassembly and visual inspection with a non-intrusive optical measurement system that is simpler to implement and maintain.
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 effectively detects and mitigates undesired material releases, reducing contamination and downtime by identifying faulty components and enabling timely maintenance, ensuring the quality and consistency of the juice production process.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor positioned to sense the strainer tube wall... The sensor distinguishes between light that has passed through a healthy strainer tube wall and light that has passed through a failed strainer tube wall
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic field sensor positioned adjacent an exterior of the housing... A sensor magnet may be carried by the filter, and the sensor may include a magnetic field sensor cooperating with the sensor magnet
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A fruit (e.g. citrus) juice apparatus may include at least one juice processing device (15a 15n, 22). The at least one juice processing device may include at least one juice output (16a - 16n, 19a - 19n) having a flow of juice therethrough. The at least one juice processing device upon a malfunction may cause an undesired material release along with the flow of juice into the at least one juice output. An undesired material release detector (21a - 21n, 25, 27) may be coupled to the at least one juice output for detecting the undesired material release. The detector may operate based upon magnetic proximity sensing of a moving filter plate within a housing of the detector. Alternatively, the detector may operate using a filter plate, and based upon pressure.