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Entry tubes

Part of the Fruit intake system section. Adjustable, removable entry tubes that connect upstream feed lines to each feeding subassembly.

Introduction

Entry tubes connect third-party/orange-sorting feed lines to the feeder's 90° entry tubes. The primary requirement is to provide a rigid, adjustable-height interface so upstream line height variation can be accommodated, while staying easy to remove/reinstall for cleaning and seasonal maintenance.

Colour key & components

Key components and intent (colours may vary across CAD figures).

Figures

Dedicated entry-tube photos below supplement the Fruit intake system main gallery and Feeding subassembly figures. Figure 1 — side view with hinge; Figure 2 — hinge close-up; Figure 3 — straight tube segment only.

Recommended figures (contractor clarity)

• Add figure: riveted hinge mount plate (4 rivets) welded to the 90° entry tube assembly — top/near view with callouts (not fully covered above).
• Add figure: CIP nozzle port on the 90° tube and spray direction down through entry tube / sync-spring zone (assembly-with-nozzle views live on Feeding subassembly; add here if you want entry-tube–only context).
• Add figure: adjustment range diagram — pinned joint geometry at both ends showing min/max effective height vs upstream line (supplement to Figure 1).

Discussion

Rough design & intent

• Goal — Deliver fruit from upstream sorters/lines into each feeding unit such that the sync spring can reliably gate fruit one-at-a-time.
• Adjustable height interface — Entry tubes must be adjustable so they can mate to unknown third-party feed line heights. Current intent uses pinned joints so the tube can rotate at two ends and accommodate height/position changes.
• Removability — Tubes and mounts should come off quickly for cleaning and seasonal teardown (pins, rivets, and modular mount plate strategy).

Known issues & risks

• Collision envelope — Entry tube and hinge must not interfere with fruit support/pusher, synchronization spring motion, or feeder shell cutouts.
• Column load — A column of oranges can create significant side loads and friction; tube ID, seams, and joint alignment should minimize snagging and jamming.

DFM & manufacturing (China)

• Tube fabrication — Contractor to propose CN-available pipe/tube standard and manufacturing method (rolled + welded vs seamless) consistent with food-zone requirements.
• Hinge hardware — Contractor to propose pin materials, retention (clip/cotter), and anti-loosening in vibration/washdown environment.
• Rivet/weld interfaces — If rivets are used for modularity, contractor to propose hygienic riveting strategy (avoid crevices/pockets, sealant if needed) or alternate modular fastening.

Questions for contractor

1. Propose a robust adjustable-height interface to unknown third-party feed lines (pins/hinge geometry, adjustment range, and how to lock it rigidly).
2. Recommend tube standards and inner-surface requirements to reduce fruit jamming and improve cleanability.
3. Review collision envelopes and propose clearances/tolerances so entry tubes never interfere with pusher/spring/tube cutouts through the cycle.

Interfaces

• Input: Oranges from upstream sorter/lines.
• Output: Fruit column into 90° entry tube and onto sync spring in the feeding subassembly.
• Mount: Pinned hinge at the 90° tube assembly and pinned interface to upstream feed line; riveted mount plates used for modularity.

Interfaces and tolerances

Key interfaces (tolerances TBD; contractor to propose).

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