Brussels sprout stripping unit - has blades on arms pivoted to one and slidably pivoted to coaxial other disc, discs independently driven

摘要

The mechanism is intended for removing Brussels-sprouts from their stalk. It comprises two discs individually rotatable about a common axis of which one carries circumferentially spaced axial pivots each supporting one end of a swivel arm. Each arm carries a cutting blade near the central axis and has its other end slidably and pivotably coupled to the other disc. The two discs are independently driven e.g. via separate V-belts, preferably by separate hydraulic motors whose speeds may be controlled by sensors responding to thickness (and presence) of the stalk. The movement of the blades relative to the stalk and thus the blade force on the stalk is freely controllable via the relative speeds of the discs to provide consistent performance and is no longer dependent on brake and spring forces between the discs when only one disc is directly driven (as per BrP 1267929). Elimination of brake and springs avoids frictional brake wear and possible spring fracture.