Design and evaluation of coconut fiber bionic‐stripping device based on Lucanidae palate frictional characteristics

Abstract

Manual stripping of coconut fiber has low processing efficiency coupled with difficulty in operation. To overcome these problems, a coconut fiber bionic‐stripping device based on Lucanidae palate frictional characteristics was designed. The device relied on the torsion spring edge hook and brush working principle to strip the coconut fiber. The coconut shell was not damaged during the stripping operation owing to the elasticity and toughness of the bionic torsional spring. The test parameter optimization was carried out using the coconut fiber bionic‐stripping device and analyzed using Design‐Expert.V8.0.6 Software. The results showed that the planting distance between torsion springs had significant effect on stripping coconut fiber (p < .001), but the diameter of torsion spring had the least effect on stripping coconut fiber. Regression analysis of the test data showed that the device had higher processing efficiency at coconut rotation speed of 1200 rad/min, coupled with bionic torsion springs diameter and planting distance of 2.0 and 17 mm, respectively. Under optimal combination of parameters, coconut fiber removal thickness was found to be R△ = 30.9 mm. The data obtained showed high repeatability, thereby indicating that the coconut fiber bionic‐stripping device can meet the technological requirements for coconut fiber removal.Practical ApplicationsThis study focuses on coconut characteristics as well as the process requirements for coconut fiber removal. A mechanism to strip the fiber using bionic torsion springs was proposed, which was designed based on the characteristics of the Lucanidae palate. Including a device for peeling coconut fiber using bionic torsion springs. Furthermore, the structural stress analysis of the device was carried out so as to explore the feasibility of using the bionic torsion spring group to peel coconut fiber. Parameter optimization test, performance analysis, and comparative performance analysis were carried out using the device to analyze the influence of different bionic torsion spring group parameters on the thickness of stripped coconut fiber. This can provide a theoretical and experimental basis for the study of coconut fiber stripping mechanism, and can broaden the existing research methods of coconut fiber stripping.