Vegetable Stem Cutting Machine with Adjustable Tray
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vegetable cutting machines do not efficiently extract the stem or non-edible parts of vegetables with tree-like structures and lack automatic adjustment for varying vegetable sizes, leading to inefficient cutting and material waste.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a tray that slides on a horizontal structure and vertical slide guides, featuring cutting devices for separating the edible part, dividing the stem into pieces, and separating the stem from the edible part, with adjustable height based on ultrasound sensor readings and pneumatic or hydraulic drives for precise cutting and extraction, allowing for efficient cutting and extraction of vegetable stems into different sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing vegetable cutting machines are used, then cutting function is provided, but stem extraction capability is missing and material waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cutting functions (separation of edible part, division of stem, separation of stem from edible part) into a single integrated machine system with multiple cutting devices working simultaneously, thereby improving productivity while minimizing material waste through precise coordinated cutting actions
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting process is divided into three distinct segmentation steps performed by separate cutting devices: first separating the useful tree-like material, then dividing the stem into pieces, and finally separating the stem from the edible part. This segmentation allows each device to specialize in one function, improving overall efficiency and reducing material loss
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of tray height is used, then adaptation to different vegetable sizes is possible, but automation level remains low and processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tray height is made dynamically adjustable through an automated drive mechanism that can move the tray vertically based on the detected size of the vegetable, transforming a static manual adjustment system into a dynamic automated one that adapts to different vegetable dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The machine performs self-adjustment of tray height through automated sensors and drive mechanisms that detect vegetable size and automatically position the tray at the appropriate height, eliminating the need for manual intervention and enabling the system to serve itself
3Device complexity
If simple cutting devices are used, then device complexity is reduced, but cutting precision and extraction accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting function is segmented into three specialized devices: a first cutting device for separating useful tree-like material, a second cutting device for dividing the stem into pieces, and a third cutting device for separating the stem from the edible part. This segmentation increases precision by dedicating each device to a specific cutting task
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting devices are arranged in a vertical dimension with the tray capable of vertical movement, allowing multiple cutting actions to occur at different heights and positions, thereby achieving complex cutting and extraction functions through spatial dimensionality
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 cuts and extracts vegetable stems with minimal waste, automatically adjusting to different vegetable sizes, ensuring precise cutting and efficient utilization of edible parts, enhancing the processing of vegetables like cauliflower into uniform pieces.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasound sensor which performs the reading of the vegetable size and determines the height
Implementation Method 2
pneumatic or hydraulic drives for precise cutting and extraction
Implementation Method 3
pneumatic or hydraulic drives for precise cutting and extraction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
This invention refers to a machine for the cutting and extraction of the stem of vegetables with tree-like structure and the cutting and extraction method of the stem with this machine which provides pieces branched into different sizes of the edible part of the vegetable. The machines is characterized by being constituted by at least one tray in which the vegetable to be cut is deposited which slides along a horizontal structure and by several vertical slide guides with several cutting devices for the separation of the useful tree-like material, a cutting device for the division of the stem into pieces and a cutting device for the separation of the stem from the edible part. It can be additionally equipped with knives arranged radially on the cutting head for the division of the tree-like material into portions.