2 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

2.1 Review of Related Literature

2.1.1 Coconut

Coconut is indigenous to coastal areas of Southeast Asian countries such

as Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and westward towards the coastal India, Sri

Lanka, East Africa, and tropical islands such as Seychelles, Andaman and

Mauritius. Coconut palms were able to live on sandy and coralline coasts, in the

said areas (Vargheser A. and Jacob J., 2014).

2.1.2 Coconut Dehusking

Coconut dehusking by human, or the traditional way which is manual,

is very challenging. Manually dehusking coconut is time and energy consuming

and requires more labor charges. Due to its complications, studies are still in the

primary stage in all coconut cultivation countries around the globe. Thus,

electric-motor operated machines are planned and improved. These machines

work on the principle of gear mechanism. The labor’s struggles as well as the

time consumption for dehusking coconut are lessen.

Coconut dehusking machines are divided into two groups: (1) manually

operated coconut dehusking machine; and (2) power-operated coconut

dehusking machine (Roopashree, 2017).

2.1.3 Manually Operated Coconut Dehusking Machine

2.1.3.1 The Coconut Spanner

The coconut spanner is similar to the smithy tongs. These are hold into

the hand and force is applied on it, so that the other two ends which are inserted

into the coconut moves away and loosens the coconut husk. By using this

dehusking tool the coconut fiber can be dehusked in three to four repetitions

(Thazhakkara, Muraleedharan, 1996).

Figure 2.1 Coconut Spanner

2.1.3.2 Mini Coconut Dehusker

Mini coconut dehusking is like that of coconut spanner. It can be

regarded as the modified version of coconut spanner. Similarly, it has long legs

which are bend at the end. This bend in legs helps to hold it proper and force

can be applied easily. It also consists of the pillar to which the tongs are

connected. Also a spring is attached to the link which is hinged to pillar. The

blades are impaled into coconut fiber and outward force is exerted on blades

which leads to loosening the husk from coconut. The spring will help the

handles to regain into its original position so that the operation can be repeated

quickly (Ganesan, V. and Gothandapani, L., 1995).

Figure 2.2 Mini Coconut Dehusker

2.1.3.3 Ce Co Co Coconut Dehusker

The blades are operated on the force exerted by foot. The blades are

also attached to the torsion spring. When the force is released the blades goes to

their own position. Firstly, the coconut is struck onto the blades and then by foot

the force is applied, the blades are opened, moves away, tearing the husk from

the coconut. When the force is removed due to inertia in spring the blades are

forced to return to the original position (“CeCoCo Pamphlet,” n.d.)

Figure 2.3 Ce Co Co Coconut Dehusker

2.1.3.4 Coconut Fiber Removing Apparatus

The coconut fiber removing apparatus consists of the blades which are

located at the top of coconut. These blades are movable, they can move

downwards and outwards. These blades are attached to the rod and the rod can

be lowered and raised with a handle. The coconut is placed on the lower part of

machine which has bladed onto it. These blades at the bottom can also be

adjusted and hence it helps in proper positioning. The process of dehusking

involves the impaling of blades into husk of coconut by lowering the rod with

the force and then moving the blades away from the center. In this way the

dehusking is carried out. But it involves large force to impale the husk at eye

and some other parts (Rene M., 1911).

Figure 2.4 Coconut Fiber Removing Apparatus

2.1.3.5 Coconut Dehusking Machine

A coconut dehusking machine consists of two rollers which has spikes

over them. The coconut is placed onto these rollers, the rollers rotates in

opposite direction. The spikes on one roller holds the husks while spikes on

other tears the husk from the coconut (Chandra, Chaguanas, Trinidad and

Tobago, 1987).

Figure 2.5 Coconut Dehusker Machine

2.1.3.6 Coconut Husk Removing Tool

This tool works on the principle of twin blades having wedge. It consists

of two blades one is stationary and the other is movable. These blades are

attached to a rod. The movable blade has a handle on it. The tearing force can

be applied with the help of this handle. Impaling of coconut is difficult for this

tool. This is the main problem associated with coconut husk removing tool. The

coconut is placed in the bowl and the blades are impaled into husk. (Hill E. D.,

1983)

Figure 2.6 Coconut Husk Removing Tool

2.1.3.7 Coconut Husking Machine

It has two blades which are inserted or impaled into the husk of the

coconut and then force is applied to make the blades to move outward to loosen

the fiber. Such an operation needs to be performed for three to four times to

completely dehusk the coconut (Waters et al, 1949).

Figure 2.7 Coconut Husking Machine

2.1.3.8 Keramithra Coconut Dehusking Tool

Keramithra is very popular in south India. It is widely used there to

dehusk the coconut. It consists of two blades one is fixed to the upright column

and the other is movable.The movable blade is attached to the handle. As force

is applied on the handle the jaw rotates which helps in dehusking. The coconut

is impaled onto the blades in closed position, and then handle is lifted up to

dehusk (Jippu and Joby, 1998).

Figure 2.8 Coconut Husking Tool

2.1.3.9 Dehusking Coconut Using a Machete [www.wisegeek.com]

Traditionally, manual dehusking was done by using a machete. This

method is risky and tedious and yet requires skills. The use of the machete poses

a great danger to the worker.

Figure 2.9 Dehusking Coconut Using a Machete

2.1.4 Power-Operated Dehusking Machine

2.1.4.1 Hydraulic Coconut Dehusking Machine

It consists of movable jaws which are hydraulically operated. These

jaws can be lowered and moved away from the center. The coconut is placed on

the bottom base. The jaws are impaled into the eye of the coconut with a reaction

support from the base. Once impaled into the husk of coconut the jaws are

forced to move outwards and the base on which the coconut is fixed is pushed

in upward direction. Due to these movements the husk is separated from the

coconut (“Hydraulic Coconut De-husking Machine,” 2011).

Figure 2.10 Hydraulic Coconut Dehusking Machine

2.1.4.2 Power-Operated Dehusking Machine with Twin Blades

[www.digitalengineeringlibrary.com]

It consists of two blades which are power operated. One is used to hold

and other to peel off the husk of a coconut. It has an electric motor rating in the

range of 1 to 2 hp. The concept of this machine is to secure the safety of the

operator due to long blades and skilled operator is required for performing the

operation.

Figure 2.11 Twin Blade Coconut Dehusking Machine

 2.1.4.3 Mechanical Coconut Husking Mechanism

The mechanical coconut husking mechanism consists of husking

mechanism, an inlet and an outlet. The husking mechanism involves two rollers

on which curved blades are mounted. It is powered by electric motor of rating

in the range of 1 to 2 hp. The operation starts with inserting the coconut into the

inlet. Then comes in contact with the rollers with curved blades onto it (Santhi

et al, 2006).

Figure 2.12 Mechanical Dehusking Machine

2.1.4.4 Rotary Coconut Dehusker

This type of dehusker has a rotary arrangement of blades. The blades are

fixed over the drum as well as on the concave surface. It has one inlet with

bigger size as compared with the outlet with smaller size. When the coconut is

placed in the space between drum and concave surface it is pressed and moved

forward. The blades on the drum punctures the husk on coconut and by applying

shear force onto it, the husk will peel off (Muhammad.C.P, 2002).

Figure 2.13 Rotary Coconut Dehusker

 2.1.4.5 Continuous Power Operated Coconut Dehusking Machine
It is the development of the rotary type of dehusking machine. It has an

inlet through which the coconuts are inserted and then the rotary blades puncture

the husk of coconut in different planes. The dehusking is done by the two

knurling rollers (Aneesh et al, 2009).

Figure 2.14 Continuous Power Operated Coconut Dehusking Machine

 2.1.4.6 Twin-blade Type Powered Coconut Dehusking Machine

It was developed with an intension to satisfy the small scale farmers. It

has two blades one is fixed the other is movable. The movement of the movable

blade is achieved by a cam and follower mechanism. The movable blade rotates

and moves away from the fixed blade. The rotation and its juxtaposed positions

were set by designing the dwell period of the cam and follower. Such an

arrangement requires 12-20 seconds to dehusk a coconut completely (Anu S.

C., 2012).

Figure 2.15 Twin-blade Type Powered Coconut Dehusking Machine

 2.2 Concept of the Study

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Brainstorming Data Gathering Design Fabrication Evaluation Coconut Dehusking

and and Testing Machine
Planning

Figure 2.16 Conceptual Framework

Figure 2.16 serves as a guide in making the machine design and fabrication.

Suggestions and gathered datas are the basis of conceptualizing the desired machine.

Appropriate tools, equipment and material must be used to fabricate the machine. Based

from the design concepts of the machine, several testing must be made to validate its

performance. Moreover, the validation based from the evaluation must also be

considered to determine the level of acceptability of the machine

After all of these considerations, coconut dehusking machine will be developed,

which can stand as the solution for improving the numbers of dehusked coconuts.

2.3 Definition of Terms

HUSK the outer layer of the coconut

SPIKE pointed object that impaled in the coconut

while dehusking
DEHUSKING way of removing the husk around the

coconut

SHEAR FORCE applied force to dehusk the coconut

IMPALED the direct contact between the spike and

husk of coconut

KERAMITHRA dehusking tool originally in South India

COIR also known as the cococnut husk