Sheller Ring Assembly With Integrated Spacers for Faster Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sheller designs for removing shell fragments from nuts, such as pecans, are complex and time-consuming to assemble and maintain due to the numerous components in the ring assembly, leading to inefficiencies in manufacturing and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The improved ring assembly integrates spacers into the inner and outer rings, reducing the number of components and incorporating a ring adjustment mechanism to simplify assembly and disassembly, using fewer parts and allowing for easier adjustment of the gap between rings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate spacers are used in the ring assembly, then the structural integrity and spacing between rings is maintained, but the number of components increases making assembly and maintenance time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spacer function directly into the ring structure by providing spacer arms that are integrally formed as part of the ring itself. This eliminates the need for separate spacer components while maintaining the spacing and structural integrity functions. The ring includes multiple arms extending radially outward, with each arm serving both as a structural element and as a spacer to maintain proper spacing between adjacent rings.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple separate components are used in the ring assembly, then the structural requirements are met, but assembly and disassembly processes become complex and time-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The ring is designed as an integrated structure where spacer arms are formed as part of the ring body, eliminating the need to assemble separate spacer components. This single-piece construction maintains all structural requirements while dramatically reducing assembly and disassembly time, as the ring can be installed as one complete unit rather than requiring sequential assembly of multiple parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring is divided into multiple arms that extend radially outward from the central body. Each arm is segmented to provide both structural support and spacing functions. This segmentation allows the ring to maintain its structural integrity and spacing requirements while being designed as a single integrally-formed component rather than multiple separate parts.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate spacers and multiple rings are used, then the ring assembly can maintain proper gaps between units, but the manufacturing process becomes time-intensive requiring precise positioning of multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer function is merged into the ring structure itself through integrally-formed spacer arms. This eliminates the need for separate spacer components that would require precise positioning during assembly. The gap between adjacent rings is automatically maintained by the fixed geometry of the spacer arms, which are formed as part of the ring during manufacturing, thereby simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining precise gap positioning.
4Reliability
If numerous individual parts are used in the ring assembly, then the functional requirements are met, but maintenance requires careful removal and storage of each component increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The ring assembly uses integrally-formed spacer arms as part of the ring structure, reducing the number of individual parts that require maintenance. When maintenance is needed, the ring can be removed and replaced as a single unit or with fewer discrete components, eliminating the need to carefully remove, track, and reassemble multiple separate spacers and rings. This significantly simplifies the maintenance process while maintaining all functional requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
The current invention provides an improved sheller for removing the husk or shell from nuts, legumes and other similar plant products. The sheller of the current invention includes an improved ring assembly. The improved ring assembly comprises ring units having an inner ring and an outer ring. Each inner ring carries integrally formed spacers and each outer ring carries integrally formed spacers. Each inner ring directly contacts an adjunct inner ring and each outer ring directly contacts an adjacent outer ring. Through use of integrally formed spacers, the current invention significantly reduces the number of component requiring assembly during the manufacture of the sheller.