Nut Cracking Mechanism With Seesaw Linkage for Clogging Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nut shelling machines face inefficiencies due to the introduction of new almond varieties with elongated shapes and softer consistency, leading to clogging and uncracked nuts, as well as issues with native nuts getting trapped in modified hole shapes designed for the new varieties.
Innovation Solution
A cracking and shelling mechanism featuring first and second elongated parallel blocks with alternate movement, where the second blocks move in an opposite sense to the first blocks, utilizing a seesaw element connected to a central rotation shaft with rods of equal length to synchronize and adjust movements, ensuring efficient hole aperture and closure, and reducing clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the hole shape is modified to benefit the hulling and cracking of new elongated almond varieties, then the cracking efficiency of new varieties is improved, but the native varieties become trapped or stuck in the holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the second blocks movable rather than fixed, allowing them to move in an alternate sense to the first blocks. This dynamic movement creates varying hole aperture sizes during operation, enabling the system to adapt to different nut varieties and prevent clogging while maintaining cracking efficiency for elongated almonds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of hole aperture size dynamically through the movement of second blocks. By altering the aperture dimensions during operation rather than maintaining a fixed shape, the system can accommodate both new elongated varieties and native varieties, resolving the contradiction between optimizing for one variety and maintaining reliability for another.
2Productivity
If the second blocks are made movable to dislodge stuck nuts, then the unclogging capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the unclogging function with the existing cracking mechanism by using the same movement of second blocks that creates cracking holes to also dislodge stuck nuts. This combination eliminates the need for separate unclogging mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining productivity benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable second blocks serve multiple functions: creating the cracking hole aperture, preventing nut rotation during cracking, and dislodging stuck nuts. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby reducing device complexity while improving unclogging capability.
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
This solution enhances productivity by allowing better cracking of soft almonds, reducing clogging, and simplifying adjustments, ensuring efficient processing of both new and native nut varieties with different features and behaviors.
Implementation Method 1
a seesaw element connected to at least one pair of blocks formed by said first block and to an adjacent second block
Implementation Method 2
central rotation shaft with rods of equal length to synchronize and adjust movements
Data Source
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AI summary
It exhibits a plurality of first elongated parallel blocks (1) with a first end (1.1) fastened to alternate movement means in both senses along the longitudinal axis thereof and a plurality of second elongated parallel blocks (2) parallel to the first blocks and arranged in an alternate and adjacent way to the first blocks, wherein the movement means of each first block (1) comprise a seesaw element (3) which is connected to at least one pair of blocks of a first and second adjacent blocks (1, 2), such that the second blocks exhibit an alternate movement in both senses along the longitudinal axis thereof, and in opposite sense to the movement of said first adjacent block (1), wherein said seesaw element (3) comprises a fixed central rotation shaft (4), a first rod (5) connected to the central shaft (4) and to the first block (1) and a second rod (6), diametrically opposed to the first rod (5), connected to the central shaft (4), and to the second block (2).