4.1 ESTABLISHING FUNCTIONS

User Functions and Designer Functions

No.	User Function	Designer Function
1	Load grains into the machine	Grain loading
2	Feed grains continuously	Controlled grain feeding
3	Transport grains through the machine	Grain transportation
4	Separate grains from unwanted materials	Grain separation
5	Identify unwanted materials	Impurity identification
6	Remove stones and other impurities	Impurity removal
7	Collect cleaned grains	Clean grain collection
8	Collect separated impurities	Waste collection
9	Control the machine's operation	Operation control
10	Adjust the grain flow according to requirements	Grain flow regulation
11	Prevent damage to grains	Grain damage prevention
12	Reduce grain loss during separation	Grain loss minimization
13	Clean the machine after use	Machine cleaning
14	Maintain the machine in working condition	Maintenance support
15	Operate the machine with limited technical skill	Simplified operation

4.2 FUNCTION TREE

The function tree represents the breakdown of the main function of the grain segregation system into smaller sub-functions.

4.3 MORPHOLOGICAL CHART

The morphological chart presents different possible means for achieving each function of the grain segregation system.

S. No.	Function	Means 1	Means 2	Means 3	Means 4	Means 5
1	Grain feeding	Hopper	Vibratory feeder	Screw feeder	Roller feeder	Sliding gate
2	Grain transfer	Conveyor belt	Inclined chute	Gravity chute	Screw conveyor	Vibratory conveyor
3	Grain detection	Camera	IR sensor	Optical sensor	Color sensor	Proximity sensor
4	Grain identification	Image processing	Color comparison	Shape analysis	Size analysis	Texture analysis
5	Controller	ESP32	Arduino	Raspberry Pi	PLC	Microcontroller
6	Position detection	Camera coordinates	IR sensor	Optical sensor	Image processing	Proximity sensor
7	Sorting mechanism	Pneumatic air jet	Servo flap	Mechanical gate	Solenoid actuator	Rotary diverter
8	Air/actuator control	Solenoid valve	Pneumatic valve	Electric valve	Servo motor	DC motor
9	Desired grain collection	Collection bin	Tray	Hopper	Container	Storage box
10	Impurity collection	Reject bin	Reject tray	Waste hopper	Container	Separate storage box
11	Grain flow control	Adjustable gate	Servo gate	Vibratory control	Roller control	Sliding gate

4.4 GENERATED CONCEPTS

The generated concepts are developed by combining different means from the morphological chart.

S. No.	Concept 1	Concept 2	Concept 3	Concept 4	Concept 5
1	Hopper	Vibratory feeder	Screw feeder	Sliding gate	Roller feeder
2	Conveyor belt	Inclined chute	Gravity chute	Screw conveyor	Vibratory conveyor
3	Camera	IR sensor	Optical sensor	Color sensor	Proximity sensor
4	Image processing	Color comparison	Shape analysis	Size analysis	Texture analysis
5	ESP32	Arduino	Raspberry Pi	PLC	Microcontroller
6	Camera coordinates	IR sensor	Optical sensor	Image processing	Proximity sensor
7	Pneumatic air jet	Servo flap	Mechanical gate	Solenoid actuator	Rotary diverter
8	Solenoid valve	Servo motor	Pneumatic valve	DC motor	Electric valve
9	Collection bin	Tray	Hopper	Storage box	Container
10	Reject bin	Reject tray	Waste hopper	Separate container	Storage box

4.4.1 Concept Designs

Based on the identified functions, objectives, constraints, and the morphological chart, different concept designs were generated for the grain segregation system. These concepts represent possible combinations of the selected solutions for each function. The designs were compared based on simplicity, feasibility, efficiency, cost, and suitability for the proposed system.

The following are the concept designs developed for the grain segregation system:

DESIGN 1:

DESIGN 2:

DESIGN 3:

DESIGN 4:

DESIGN 5: