Fruit support (subassembly)

Subassembly of 4. Extraction & synchronisation. Directs fruit from the pipe to the peeler; oranges stage here then drop into the peelers' jaws.

Colour key & components

Applies to the CAD views in this section. In the main extraction assembly this subassembly appears as one colour ( bright green); detail views use the colours below.

Colour(s)	Component
	Base plate — bolted to drive bracket
	Rails — outer (tallest), middle, inner (shortest) pairs; height tapers to center so fruit rolls to center
	Connecting link — spacing and parallelism between rails
	Pusher and pusher support — roller attached with bolt

Purpose & design

Directs fruit from the pipe to the peeler and reduces risk of fruit falling to the sides.

3 pairs of flat angled rails. Height tallest at the ends, tapers to lowest at the center so oranges roll to the center two rails. Length varies to match tube diameter.
Connecting link maintains spacing and parallelism between rails and perpendicularity to the plate. Indexing slots for inserting rails.
Top edge of rails filleted to prevent cutting fruit. Base bolted to drive bracket for easy removal (e.g. for replacing rollers).
CIP: Angled rails allow clean-in-place spray through gaps to the peelers below.
Rail angle: Downwards so oranges roll forward. Current 3°; target 8° (5° slope added to driven bracket). From front, rails higher on sides than center.
Pusher: Designed as cut/welded sheet; could be a formed component.

Improvement targets: 8° rail angle, formed pusher. Manufacturing note: the fruit support can be manufactured in any practical way as long as the rail geometry, 3–8° slope/bowl shape, and cleanability (no pockets, smooth drainage) are met. Forming is a candidate method, but the exact formed-part design is left to the contractor/ODM to propose.

Figures

Fruit support CAD views. Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3.

Figure 1. Schematic — base plate (blue), 3 pairs of rails (light green, magenta, orange), connecting link (lavender), pusher (dark green).

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Recommended figures (contractor clarity)

Add figure: Rail profile / taper — section views showing 3–8° bowl/slope intent and rail height variation station-to-station.
Add figure: Pusher + roller — detail of formed pusher and bolt-on roller vs sync-spring line of action.
Add figure: Bolt pattern to driven bracket — mount holes with adjustment vs final dowel/shoulder locations.

Interfaces

Mount: Base bolted to driven bracket (extraction/sync).
Input: Fruit from feeder (drops onto fruit support).
Output: Fruit rolls to center rails and drops into peelers' jaws.
Pusher/roller: Roller (extraction/sync) attached with bolt; interfaces with feeder sync spring.

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