Segmented Presser for Fruit Cutting Core and Peripheral Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fruit and vegetable cutting machines apply excessive pressure on the surrounding parts of the fruit, leading to damage and reduced quality of cut segments due to the rigidity of the presser, which is necessary for cutting the central core or stone.

Innovation Solution

A machine design featuring a presser with a central body for applying force to the core and a peripheral body that applies reduced pressure to the external parts, using a combination of radial blades and a tubular blade with a separate channel for the core, and an elastic pusher to adjust force distribution, along with a safety mechanism to prevent excessive pressure and misalignment detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a rigid presser is used to apply sufficient pressure to cut the central core or stone, then the cutting of the central part is effective, but the surrounding parts of the fruit are subjected to excessive pressure causing damage and bruising

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting quality of central coreVSAvoiddamage to surrounding fruit parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The presser is divided into two distinct functional zones: a central presser portion for applying high pressure to the core/stone and a peripheral presser portion for applying reduced pressure to the surrounding fruit parts. This segmentation allows differential pressure application, resolving the contradiction between effective core cutting and protection of surrounding tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the presser are designed with different mechanical properties and pressure application characteristics. The central portion is designed to be rigid for effective core cutting, while the peripheral portions are designed to be more compliant or apply less pressure, matching the local requirements of different fruit regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Force

If the presser applies uniform high pressure across the entire fruit surface, then the central core can be cut effectively, but the surrounding parts are over-pressured and deteriorate quickly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure on central coreVSAvoidshelf-life of cut segments

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The presser structure is segmented into central and peripheral portions that independently control force application. This allows the central portion to exert high force on the core while the peripheral portions exert lower force, preventing tissue damage and extending shelf-life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The presser exhibits spatially varying mechanical properties with the central region designed for high-force application and the peripheral regions designed for low-force application, optimizing both cutting effectiveness and product quality preservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If the fruit is incorrectly positioned or the stone is decentered, then the cutting process may be compromised, but with a rigid presser this can cause damage to the blades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting accuracyVSAvoidblade durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The presser transitions from a completely rigid structure to one with controlled flexibility, particularly in the peripheral portions. This dynamic characteristic allows the presser to adapt to positioning variations and decentered stones, preventing excessive forces from being transmitted to the blades while maintaining cutting accuracy through the rigid central portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible peripheral presser portions act as a cushioning mechanism that absorbs misalignment shocks before they can reach the blades, protecting the blades from damage due to incorrect fruit positioning or decentered stones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 significantly reduces pressure on the external parts of the fruit, preventing damage and bruising, while allowing for precise cutting and detection of incorrect fruit positioning to prevent blade damage.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic pusher to adjust force distribution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10792831B2Machine for cutting fruit or vegetables into segments

Publication Date: 2020.10.06 A B L SRL

AI summary

A machine for cutting fruit or vegetables into segments, including a blade group (10), at least one of which is arranged with a radial orientation relative to a central axis (X); a presser (20) arranged above the blade group (10) and mobile according to an operating stroke along which it pushes a product (P) through the blades (10); a motor, connected to the presser (20) for activating it along an operating stroke thereof. The presser (20) includes a central body (21), connected to the motor; a peripheral body (22), arranged concentrically to the central body (21) and mobile relative to the central body (21) between a first and a second end position.