19 July -- this first round of idea generation was done by brainstorming. Individually we wrote ideas on post-it notes, and after ~15 minutes shared and grouped our ideas. This outline is the result. Ben also suggested we try reversal. Other ideas from patents search are also discussed.

▼ Idea generation
• ❑ lighter stick
• ❑ trampoline thresher
• ❑ shaking belt
• ❑ auto grain bag filler and weighing mechanism to stop feeding
• ❑ beat panicle; baseball bat
• ❑ blower or fan to separate chaff and grain
• ❑ conveyer belt (or other mechanism) to move chaff and stalk-- beating system also conveys so there's a continuous process
• ❑ conical feeder, or circular motion with one panicle at at time. Gravity feed. cone going outward so it doesn't clog. (peanut sheller)
• ❑ chute that sways, pendulum
• ❑ V shape to align panicles
• ❑ series of rollers, intestine,
• ❑ misaligned tires
• ❑ centrifuge
• ❑ washing machine
• ❑ water to separate and wash
• ❑ dissovle fluff -- biochemical
• ❑ 2 rubbing plates
• ❑ vacuum or pressure (vacuum removes skin of fish and avocado)
• ❑ compressed air jet
• ❑ vortexed wind tunnel
• ❑ woven mat
• ❑ Flower sifter -- squeeze the handle turning blades
• ❑ hypergravity
• ❑ Note: water might damage grain?

▼ Process steps
• ❑ feeding in
• ❑ separating stalk
• ❑ separating grain from floret
• ❑ cleaning, winnowing
• ❑ collecting grain, bagging
• ❑ collecting byproduct
• ❑ measuring quality
• ❑ maintenance
• ❑
• ❑
CAN we remove grain from panicle/floret without separating panicle from floret?

▼ Energy sources
• ❑ Air Pressure
• ❑ Torque 'em. Needed to push grain away from floret- shearing motion?

▼ Testing Ideas
• ❑ Stick a penacle into an electric drill and see how the rotation affects it. Use a bucket for a hammer mill effect
• ❑ Density measurements
• ❑ Vacuum pump
• ❑ Grind/ beat some materials
• ❑ Hammer mill test

▼ Problem:
• ❑ Convert penacle to clean grain
• ❑ Remove seed from floret
• ❑ Remove floret and seed from penacle/rachi
• ❑ Affordable and efficient thresher for pearl millet
▼ Remove and isolate grain

▼ Too physically strenuous/ hazardous
• ❑ Callous
• ❑ Repetitive motion
• ❑ Violent motion
• ❑ Dust
• ❑ Dirty grain when cooked, dangerous to eat

▼ Too time consuming
• ❑ Takes 4 hours to prepare
• ❑ Multistage production
• ❑ Lengthy pounding process
• ❑ Not a continuous process

▼ Lack of consistent quality
• ❑ Separation of grain from chaff by hand
• ❑ Tampering with sacks (lack of quality leads to even less quality i.e. no motivation to maintain it)
• ❑ Rancid grain if broken
• ❑ For large quantities rolling on the gorund collects dirt
• ❑ Placing penacles on the ground e.g. when drying

▼ Multiple stage process
• ❑ Spoilage
• ❑ Labour intensive

▼ Gender specific technology
• ❑ Burden on women who have other tasks
• ❑ Men can/do not assist with the process
• ❑ Affects repair and maintenance capacity?


Home Previous Next Contact Us