Water Channel Sheet Remover With Reliable Submerged Sheet Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for removing protective sheets from water channels during fruit sorting are labor-intensive and inefficient, often resulting in sheets remaining partially or completely submerged, which disrupts the sorting process.

Innovation Solution

A sheet remover equipped with frames, shafts, rollers, and carrier elements like ropes or belts that automatically extract and reverse protective sheets from the water channel, using a discharge mechanism to ensure complete removal, even when submerged.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If protective sheets are manually removed from the water channel, then labor intensity is reduced, but removal reliability deteriorates because sheets may remain submerged under fruit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelabor intensityVSAvoidremoval reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses detectors to automatically detect the presence of protective sheets and activates the sheet remover only when needed, enabling the system to serve itself without continuous manual intervention while maintaining reliable removal through automated monitoring and activation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical removal with an automated mechanical system consisting of a sheet remover with rollers and carrier elements that automatically extracts sheets from the water channel, eliminating the need for manual labor while ensuring consistent and reliable removal

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

2Reliability

If carrier elements move partially in water to retrieve submerged sheets, then removal effectiveness improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremoval effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet remover is divided into multiple functional segments including detectors, carrier elements, rollers, and a sheet remover mechanism, allowing each component to perform its specific function independently while working together to achieve reliable sheet removal from the water channel

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Carrier elements act as intermediaries between the submerged protective sheets and the sheet remover mechanism, transferring sheets from the water environment to the removal mechanism while protecting the main system from direct water exposure and simplifying the overall design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If multiple shafts and rollers are used to extract sheets, then sheet removal reliability improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesheet removal reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet remover operates periodically based on detector signals rather than continuously, activating the shafts and rollers only when protective sheets are detected, thereby maintaining reliable sheet removal while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time detection of sheet presence, varying the activation and speed of shafts and rollers according to actual conditions, which maintains effective sheet removal while optimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary operation

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 sheet remover effectively and automatically removes protective sheets from water channels, reducing labor and minimizing disruptions, while being cost-effective and low-noise, ensuring smooth sorting operations.

Implementation Method 1

The carrier elements are able to take protective sheets from the water and take them with them in a direction out of the water channel. In use, the carrier elements move at least partially in the water that is present in the water channel.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical motion: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

a reversing roller is further provided, which is configured to reverse the entrained protective sheet, after which the protective sheet releases from, for example, the strings or belts and can be discharged by means of a discharge mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical reversal: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4045191B1Sheet remover for removing protective sheets from a water channel, sorting line provided therewith, and method there for
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 DE GREEFS WAGEN CARROSSERIE & MACHINEBOUW
  • EP4045191B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4045191B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a sheet remover for removing protective sheets from a water channel, a sorting line provided therewith and a method therefor. The sheet remover according to the invention comprises: - a frame; - a number of shafts and/or rollers arranged in or on the frame; and - a number of carrier elements which are movable around the shafts and/or rollers for taking a protective sheet out of the water channel, wherein the carrier elements are configured to move at least partially in the water when in use and, upon contact with a protective sheet, to take the protective sheet from the water canal.