Multi-lane Pear Feeder with Inverted Stem Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pear processing technologies face challenges in efficiently feeding and orienting pears of different sizes, effectively cutting pear stems without damaging the fruit, and advancing stem-free pears to subsequent processing steps like peeling.

Innovation Solution

A pear feeding apparatus for multi-lane processing that includes a shuffle feeder, chutes, advancement channels with V-shaped upper portions and parallel lower portions, and a cutting device with overlapping blades to cut pear stems. The apparatus allows pears to advance with their stems downward, enabling efficient stem cutting and further processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a shuffle feeder and conveyor belt with multiple lanes are used to advance pears to processing stages, then productivity is improved through multi-lane processing, but pears of different sizes cannot be properly oriented and fed to the stem cutting station

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-lane processing capacityVSAvoidaccommodation of different pear sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The advancement channels are made adjustable in width to dynamically adapt to different pear sizes. The channels can be widened or narrowed based on the size of pears being processed, allowing the system to maintain both high productivity through multi-lane processing and adaptability to handle various pear dimensions effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical parameters of the advancement channels (specifically their width) are changed to match different pear sizes. By adjusting the channel dimensions, the system optimizes the feeding process for each size category while maintaining efficient multi-lane operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If a single blade is used to cut pear stems, then device complexity is reduced, but multiple cutting operations are required which reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting device structureVSAvoidstem cutting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple cutting functions are merged into a single blade assembly. The blade is configured with overlapping cutting edges that can perform multiple cutting operations in one pass, eliminating the need for separate cutting devices or multiple sequential cutting steps, thus improving productivity without significantly increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting blade is designed to perform multiple functions - it can cut stems at different angles and positions, and handle various stem lengths, all with a single blade assembly. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized cutting devices while maintaining high cutting efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the blade removes the stem together with the tip portion of the pear, then stem removal is simplified, but loss of substance increases due to removal of pear pulp

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestem removal processVSAvoidpear pulp loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting blade is designed to extract and remove only the stem portion from the pear, leaving the valuable pulp intact. By precisely positioning the cutting edge to target only the stem, the system achieves easy stem removal without the harmful side effect of removing excessive pulp, thus reducing substance loss while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If pears are fed with stems upward to processing stations, then orientation is simplified, but the cutting device cannot effectively cut the stems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepear orientationVSAvoidstem cutting accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of feeding pears with stems upward as conventionally done, the system inverts the orientation and feeds pears with stems downward into the cutting device. This inverted approach allows the cutting blade to effectively engage and cut the stems, while the advancement channels are designed to accommodate and guide pears in this reversed orientation, achieving both effective cutting and proper orientation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12336558B2Pear feeding method and apparatus for multi-lane processing

Publication Date: 2025.06.24 CRESCENZO BIAGIO

AI summary

A pear feeder for multi-lane processing has, on a frame (1), a shuffle feeder (2), a plurality of chutes (3), a plurality of feed channels (4), small belts (5) running on respective pairs of belt holder pulleys (9, 90) mounted on each feed channel (4) and moved by a motor (10) through a first transverse shaft (11) so as to be transmitted to the belts (5) a retrograde motion with respect to the pear advancement and allow each pear to continue advancing along its own advancement channel (4) with the stem downward up to the exit end, and a plurality of aligned jaws of reception (15) which can be opened simultaneously. On the frame (1) of the apparatus, in a position below the plurality of aligned receiving jaws (15), a cutting device (18) is mounted movably by means of a second pneumatic piston (19) on horizontal end guides (20).