Gender-Responsive Dehusking Machine: Utility Model
Analiza B. Calles1, Jamcee B.Aguilar2
1Analiza B. Calles, Biliran Province University, Biliran, Philippines.
2Jamcee B. Aguilar, Cebu Technological University, Cebu, Philippines.
Manuscript received on 05 April 2019 | Revised Manuscript received on 14 April 2019 | Manuscript Published on 24 May 2019 | PP: 1-6 | Volume-8 Issue-6S3 April 2019 | Retrieval Number: F10010486S319/19©BEIESP
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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open-access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: The study focused on the design and fabrication of a Gender-responsive Coconut Dehusking Machine (GRCDM). Descriptive and developmental research were employed in the study which involved design, fabrication, and evaluation of the output performance of the machine. A total of thirty (30) respondents operationally tested the machine and evaluated its ergonomics, functionality, adaptability, cost-effectiveness, and level of acceptability. The GRCDM is driven by a gasoline motor engine which drives the dehusking mechanism. It applies a speed reduction principle through the use of a belt and chain-sprocket assembly that links directly to the dehusking unit composed of two cylindrical rollers. The interaction of the rollers with its plurality of spikes and corrugated round bars served as a penetrating means which resulted in the tearing effect of the husk leaving the nut undamaged. The machine meets 95- 100 % of the physical ergonomics requirements, 90-94% functional, 90-94% adaptable, 90-94 % cost effective and 95-100% acceptable with a drawback on the cost of the fabrication. The dehusking machine sets at a moderate speed of 21.40 rpm has a dehusking capacity of 559 nuts per hour and efficiency of 97.04% respectively. The energy requirements in terms of power and torque are 0.3165 kW and torque of 0.1332 kN-m. Dehusking capacity relative to the standard fuel consumption of the machine is 310 nuts/ li. Using the developed gender-responsive coconut dehusking machine, it can help novice farmers particularly women to be involved in the dehusking process to make work easier and safe.
Keywords: Dehusking Machine, Dehusking Efficiency, Ergonomics, Gender-Responsive.
Scope of the Article: Agricultural Informatics and Communication