Modular Star Produce Grading with Segmented Finger and Hub Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing produce handling equipment faces challenges with single-piece stars that are difficult to align and require costly materials, leading to increased replacement costs and potential bruising of delicate produce due to material limitations.
Innovation Solution
A modular star system with separable finger and hub modules made of different materials and geometries, featuring a color-coding system for identification, allowing for the separation of wear components from non-wear components and enabling the use of softer materials for delicate produce handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If soft materials are used for finger sections to avoid bruising delicate produce, then produce handling quality is improved, but alignment stability deteriorates due to rotation and compression on the drive shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The star component is divided into two separate modules: a finger section module made of soft material for gentle produce handling, and a hub module made of rigid material for stable shaft alignment. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the star component have different material properties: the finger sections use soft, compliant material to prevent produce bruising, while the hub uses hard, rigid material to maintain alignment stability on the drive shaft. Each location has the quality needed for its specific function.
2Device complexity
If single-piece stars are used to simplify structure, then device complexity is reduced, but replacement cost increases due to costly materials and wear component replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The star is segmented into a hub module and finger section module that can be separated. When wear occurs, only the inexpensive finger section module needs replacement, not the entire star component, significantly reducing replacement costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub module is designed to be reusable and retained after the finger section module wears out. This allows recovery and continued use of the valuable hub component while discarding only the consumable finger section, reducing overall operational costs.
3Ease of manufacture
If single-piece stars are used to reduce parts, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to customize for different produce types
Solution Approach 1:
The separable module design allows different finger section modules to be attached to a standard hub module. This enables quick customization for different produce types by simply changing the finger section module while keeping the hub, balancing manufacturing efficiency with adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub module is designed as a universal component that can work with various finger section module types. This allows a single hub design to support multiple produce handling applications by swapping finger sections, achieving versatility without complicating the core structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular star system for grading, cleaning, and transporting produce includes opposing, first and second hub modules with opposing, tapered surfaces, and plural finger modules separated by the first and second hub modules. Each finger module has finger members that are color-coded and the finger module and first and second hub modules are disposed on a rotatable shaft. Outer surfaces of either of the finger or hub modules are color-coded, and are substantially perpendicular to the long axis of the shaft. There is also a method of using the modular star system for grading, cleaning, and transporting produce.