Automatic Pineapple Cutting with Adaptive Knife Spacing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pineapple processing machines waste significant pulp when handling pineapples of varying lengths and are not suitable for use by untrained customers at a point of sale due to complex mechanical adjustments or manual intervention.

Innovation Solution

A machine with stationary knives and an optical or mass-based length measurement system adjusts the distance between knives automatically, minimizing pulp waste and allowing untrained users to process pineapples efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If the distance between top knife and bottom knife is fixed, then the machine structure is simple, but significant pulp is wasted when processing pineapples of varying lengths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepulp wasteVSAvoidmachine structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic adjustment of the distance between top knife and bottom knife based on the measured length of the pineapple. The system transitions from a fixed distance structure to a dynamic one where the knife positions are automatically adjusted according to the actual pineapple length, thereby minimizing pulp waste while maintaining operational simplicity for the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated system that uses optical or mass-based length measurement combined with automatic positioning mechanisms. This substitution eliminates the need for users to manually adjust the knife distance, reducing complexity from the user operation perspective while enabling precise adaptation to different pineapple lengths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of substance

If manual adjustment of knife distance is implemented, then pulp waste is reduced, but the machine requires significant manual work and is prone to errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepulp wasteVSAvoidmanual work required

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the machine to automatically measure the pineapple length and adjust the knife distance without user intervention. The system performs self-measurement using optical sensors or mass-based measurement, and self-adjustment through automated positioning mechanisms, completely eliminating the manual adjustment burden while minimizing pulp waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback loop where the measured pineapple length is used to automatically control the knife positioning. The system continuously monitors the pineapple dimensions and adjusts the cutting parameters in real-time based on this feedback, ensuring optimal cutting accuracy without requiring manual measurement or adjustment by the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If mechanical adjustment with many moveable parts is used, then automatic adaptation to pineapple length is achieved, but construction, maintenance, and cleaning become complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptation to pineapple lengthVSAvoidconstruction and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an automated system based on optical or mass-based measurement and electronic control. This substitution reduces the number of moveable mechanical parts, simplifying construction, maintenance, and cleaning while maintaining full adaptability to different pineapple lengths through automated positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the adjustment function from the mechanical linkage system and implements it through a separate measurement and control system. By separating the measurement function (optical/mass-based) from the execution function (knife positioning), the system reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If leaves are removed before processing, then mechanical adjustment works properly, but the machine cannot be used as self-service by untrained customers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveself-service capabilityVSAvoidmechanical adjustment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables complete self-service operation by automatically measuring the pineapple (including its leaves) and adjusting the knife positions without requiring any preliminary preparation by the user. The system is designed to handle pineapples in their natural state, eliminating the need for users to remove leaves or perform any other preparation steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs the measurement and adjustment actions automatically before the cutting process begins, without requiring any preliminary actions from the user. The system measures the pineapple length and positions the knives appropriately in advance, ensuring reliable operation regardless of whether the pineapple has leaves attached.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 machine effectively reduces pulp waste and simplifies operation, enabling untrained customers to prepare whole pineapples for consumption with minimal manual intervention and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

The length measuring device comprises at least one optical sensor for measuring the length of the pineapple

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection: Optical Tweezers

Implementation Method 2

or a mass sensor for measuring a mass of the pineapple

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4623705B1Machine and method for automatically preparing a whole pineapple for consumption at a pineapple point of sale

Publication Date: 2026.04.01 SANLUCAR FRUIT S L U

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a machine (100) for automatically preparing a whole pineapple (P) for consumption at a pineapple point of sale, the machine (100) comprising a first processing station (110) having a top knife (111) for removing a top end of the pineapple (P) and a bottom knife (112) for removing a bottom end of the pineapple (P), wherein the top knife (111) and the bottom knife (112) have parallel cutting directions and parallel cutting planes, and the top knife (111) is arranged at a distance measured perpendicularly to the cutting planes from the bottom knife (112); a length measuring device (120) for measuring a length of the pineapple (P) along the longitudinal axis of the pineapple (P); and an adjustment device (130) for automatically adjusting the distance between the top knife (111) and the bottom knife (112) depending on the length of the pineapple (P) measured by the length measuring device (120). The length measuring device (120) comprises an optical sensor (122) for measuring the length of the pineapple (P) and/or a mass sensor (121) for measuring a mass of the pineapple (P). The invention relates also to a method for automatically preparing a whole pineapple (P) for consumption at a pineapple point of sale using the machine (100).