Variable Stroke Sheller With Motorized Eccentric Jaw Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shelling machines face challenges in adjusting the stroke of their jaws to accommodate almonds of varying sizes and orientations, leading to potential damage and requiring manual intervention that stops production and poses safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A sheller with a motorized eccentric element and adjustable lever system allows for automatic variation of the jaw stroke during operation, eliminating the need for manual adjustments and ensuring safe processing without production halts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of the stroke is performed by interrupting machine operation, then the stroke can be adjusted for different almond sizes and shell types, but production stops and operator safety is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestroke adjustment capabilityVSAvoidproduction continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the stroke by allowing operators to modify the position of the movable jaw during operation through a control console. The stroke can be varied continuously without stopping the machine, transforming a static adjustment mechanism into a dynamic one that adapts to different almond sizes and shell types while maintaining production flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical adjustment system (requiring operators to physically access and adjust components during operation) with an automated control console system. This substitution eliminates the need for operators to intervene mechanically, thereby maintaining productivity while enabling stroke adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of the stroke is performed by interrupting machine operation, then the stroke can be adjusted for different almond sizes and shell types, but operator safety is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestroke adjustment capabilityVSAvoidoperator safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated control console that electronically controls the stroke variation. This eliminates operator exposure to moving parts during adjustment, thereby maintaining safety while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-adjustment through the control console, where the machine automatically modifies its own stroke parameters without requiring operator intervention. This self-service capability maintains adaptability while eliminating safety risks associated with manual adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If complex manual adjustment procedures are used with multiple connecting rods and cams, then the stroke can be varied, but the adjustment procedure becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestroke variation capabilityVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex mechanical adjustment mechanism (multiple connecting rods, cams, and manual operations) and replaces it with a simplified control console system. This extraction eliminates unnecessary complexity while preserving the essential function of stroke variation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The control console serves as a universal interface that can adjust the stroke for all connecting rods simultaneously through a single operational system, replacing the need for individual manual adjustment of each cam and connecting rod.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If the jaw stroke is fixed, then the machine structure is simpler, but it cannot accommodate different almond sizes and shell types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine structure simplicityVSAvoidprocessing adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the fixed jaw stroke into a dynamic parameter that can be varied during operation through the control console. This allows the simple machine structure to gain adaptability by enabling real-time stroke adjustment without complicating the overall mechanical design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution enables continuous operation with optimized jaw stroke adjustments, ensuring the safety of operators and improving production efficiency by allowing real-time adjustment of the stroke through a control console, accommodating different almond sizes and qualities without manual intervention.

Implementation Method 1

a motorized lever (310) adapted to press against the outlet eccentric element (210) in order to move the outlet eccentric element (210) along the slotted hole (211)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric mechanism: Eccentric

Data Source

PatentEP3398456B1Variable stroke sheller
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 CALA SRL
  • EP3398456B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3398456B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3398456B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

A variable-stroke sheller is described, for shelling dried fruit, comprising cooperating means in relative motion (100), for receiving the dried fruit and breaking the shell of the fruit, by means of a reciprocated motion device (200), stroke adjustment means (300) of the means cooperating in relative motion (100). The reciprocated motion device (200) comprises an outlet eccentric element (210) connected to at least one connecting rod (220). The outlet eccentric element (210) is constrained to rotation by controlled grip locking means (201, 202, 203).