Pear Processing Machine Optical Alignment and Peeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pear processing technologies face challenges in efficiently aligning and peeling pears of varying sizes and shapes due to irregular dimensions, pulp consistency, and ripeness, leading to waste and suboptimal processing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A synchronized processing machine with a fruit-carrying carriage that tilts and rotates to align pears axially, using a pad as a ruler for positioning and a limit switch with a retraction sensor for precise coring and peeling, along with a modular design for multiple stations to handle varying fruit sizes and shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mechanical alignment mechanisms are used to position pears for processing, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases and processing speed decreases due to measurements being taken in the processing area where peel and acid accumulate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement and alignment mechanisms with an optical system. Optical elements (such as lights and sensors) are used to detect pear position and characteristics, eliminating the need for mechanical templates and measurement devices in the processing area. This substitution reduces device complexity while maintaining or improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical intermediaries (light sources and sensors) as mediators between the processing system and the pear. These optical elements detect pear position and characteristics without direct mechanical contact, allowing precise alignment information to be obtained while avoiding the problems of mechanical measurement in the processing area.
2Measurement precision
If mechanical means are used to measure and align pears, then alignment accuracy is improved, but processing speed decreases and wear of the machine increases due to accumulation of peel and acid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical measurement and alignment systems with optical detection systems. Optical sensors and light sources provide rapid, non-contact measurement of pear position and characteristics, eliminating the time-consuming mechanical measurement process and the associated wear from peel and acid accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical detection system operates continuously and rapidly, providing ongoing alignment information without the interruptions and delays inherent in mechanical measurement systems. This continuous optical monitoring maintains high processing speed while ensuring consistent alignment accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If mechanical alignment devices are used to position pears, then positioning precision is improved, but reliability decreases due to obstruction and wear from peel and acid accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical alignment devices with optical detection systems that do not contact the pear or processing area. This eliminates the obstruction and wear problems that reduce reliability, as the optical system is not exposed to peel and acid accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical intermediaries serve as reliable mediators that provide positioning information without direct contact with the processing environment. The light sources and sensors remain clean and functional, maintaining high reliability while ensuring precise positioning through optical detection.
4Measurement precision
If pears are held firmly in position for processing, then alignment precision is improved, but harmful factors increase due to compression of the fruit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical holding and compression methods with optical detection and positioning. The optical system provides precise alignment information without applying force to the pear, eliminating compression damage while maintaining alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical intermediaries provide positioning guidance without direct mechanical contact. The light sources and sensors enable precise alignment while the pear remains unsupported, preventing compression damage that would occur with firm mechanical holding.
Data Source
AI summary
The object of the present invention is a machine and the continuous cycle processing process for pears, which includes mechanisms for feeding and distributing, housing and holding, aligning and expelling, enucleating the endocarp and peeling the pears, whether they are of variable shape or length and in which said mechanisms are synchronized and form a single or more aligned and integrated processing stationsIn each work station, the distribution of the pears in the fruit bowls takes place automatically and vertically; the measurement of the endocarp of the pear starting from the measurement of its calyx end, takes place through the alignment mechanism of the pears, which does not cause unnecessary compressions on the fruit, and the pulp is stressed as little as possible, maintaining its necessary consistency, and making so that the part to be enucleated, where the seeds really are, always finds itself in correspondence with the small knives in charge of carrying out this function and part of the edible fruit is not eliminated.Furthermore, the peeling takes place using a tool which, positioning itself at the measured point, tilts following the profile of the pear closely.