Motor power management(with content) — power protection, contactor/starter, waterproofing, current sensing.
Yoke position sensor(with content) — cycle sensing for stop-with-peelers-open and cycle counting (TBD implementation).
Introduction
User interface, safety, motor power, and yoke position. The subsystem consists of the control panel, safety switches, motor power electronics, and the yoke position sensor (under development).
Discussion
Rough design & intent
Stand-alone operation — Machine must be operable as a stand-alone unit (local ON/OFF) for independent operation, inspection, component replacement, and simple cleaning.
Water protection — All electrical systems must be protected for rigorous industrial cleaning (enclosure/IP, glands, cable routing, and washdown practices).
Data readiness — Control system should be prepared for data exchange (IoT / plant integration), even if not implemented on the first prototype.
User control panel
Operator interface for power, run control, and status.
ON / START button — start machine operation.
OFF / STOP button — stop machine operation.
Emergency stop — hard stop; machine cannot run until reset.
RUNNING indicator — shows machine running state.
STOPPED indicator — shows machine stopped state.
Machine open indicator — indicates any safety lid is open (interlock active).
Lockout / tagout (LOTO)
Provide an easy-access rear LOTO unit to isolate power for service and seasonal teardown.
Safety switches
Safety switches on 3 lids (e.g. plunger cover, drivetrain cover, feeder). Interlock logic must be fail-safe: when any lid is open, the machine shuts off and cannot run.
Coded safety switches — coded interlocks preferred for robustness.
Coded lid switches (magnet code) — only the specified magnet/operator handle may actuate the lid safety switch (anti-misuse). Include fail-safe behavior and clear "machine open" indicator.
Control-board integration — lid safety switch inputs must be integrated using the same breakout board + main board architecture as the commercial machine controls, so safety behavior matches existing systems.
Stop with peelers/open condition — include a sensor/logic path that prevents operation (or triggers stop) if peelers/lids are in an unsafe state.
Motor control and power management
AC power distribution and motor drive for the drivetrain motor.
AC contactor — main power switching for the motor circuit.
Motor starter / soft starter — controlled start/stop and protection for the main drive motor, including overcurrent protection.
Internal control panel — breakers, relays, PCB/IO as needed (final architecture TBD).
Wires and cable management — routing, glands, and management as needed for control panel, motor, and safety circuits.
Motor:WEG W22 — 50 Hz baseline for China (see Motor power management for details); vertical mount, shaft down (V5T style).
Motor current sensing — instantaneous current measurement for spike detection and estimating throughput (fruit processed in a time period).
Yoke position sensor
P6 requires a yoke position/cycle sensor to support controlled safe stop conditions and a critical fully open stop behavior so internal parts can be serviced/removed. The exact sensor type and signal interface are TBD.
Cycle sensor — provide cycle counting (cycles per time period). This may be the same sensor as "open peelers stop" depending on final mechanism.
Fully open stop position — when the machine is turned OFF / STOPPED in normal operation, the system must stop with the yoke at the fully open position (operator access/removal).
Emergency/interlock shutdown — when E-stop is pressed or a coded lid safety switch indicates an open lid/interlock fault, the machine must shut down immediately (no reposition-to-open).
Status
System requirements captured. Still TBD: detailed electrical architecture (PLC/PCB choice), enclosure IP rating, wiring standards, and final sensor selection. Add photos and wiring diagrams as they are developed.
Recommended figures (contractor clarity)
Add figure: System block diagram — E-stop, lid interlocks, motor contactor, sensor inputs (single page).
Add figure: Enclosure IP concept — cabinet/gland layout for washdown (see Motor power management).