Melon picking and transporting platform

Abstract

The application discloses a melon picking and transporting platform in the field of agricultural picking, which comprises a traction mechanism, a picking mechanism and a sorting mechanism; the traction mechanism comprises a traction head and a traction platform, and the picking mechanism and the sorting mechanism are arranged on the traction platform; the picking mechanism is used for transporting melons in a field to the sorting mechanism; the sorting mechanism comprises a vertical pipeline and a buffer unit which are arranged on the traction platform, an upper loading port is arranged above the vertical pipeline, and a collecting bin is arranged below the vertical pipeline; and the buffer unit is used for slowing down the falling speed of melons in the vertical pipeline. The picked melons directly fall into the collecting bin through the vertical pipeline, so that the occupied area is reduced; meanwhile, the buffer unit is used for accelerating and then slowing down the collected melons during the falling process, the acceleration is used for improving the collection efficiency of the melons, and the deceleration is used for buffering the impact of the melon falling and ensuring the integrity of the melons.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of agricultural harvesting technology, specifically a melon harvesting and transportation platform. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, large-scale melon harvesting in agricultural fields typically utilizes melon harvesting and transportation platforms. These platforms are commonly used for harvesting and transporting melons (such as cantaloupes and watermelons) to improve harvesting efficiency and transportation convenience. After harvesting, melons need to be gathered together for easy transport. During the harvesting and collection process, especially when picking and placing them into baskets, collisions and impacts often occur, causing damage and waste. Existing melon harvesting and transportation platforms typically address this issue by using robotic arms for harvesting or by incorporating ramps to slow the movement of the melons and reduce impact. However, using robotic arms is too costly; and using ramps for slow movement increases the footprint and reduces harvesting efficiency. Therefore, a new melon harvesting and transportation platform is needed to solve these problems. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem of this invention is to provide a melon harvesting and transportation platform. This invention allows harvested melons to fall directly into a collection bin through a vertical pipe, reducing the footprint of the installation. At the same time, during the falling process, this invention uses a buffer unit to accelerate and then decelerate the collected melons. Acceleration is to improve the overall collection efficiency of the melons, and deceleration is to buffer the impact of the falling melons and ensure their integrity.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a melon harvesting and transportation platform, comprising a traction mechanism, a harvesting mechanism, and a sorting mechanism; the traction mechanism includes a traction head and a traction platform, and the harvesting mechanism and the sorting mechanism are disposed on the traction platform; the harvesting mechanism is used to transport melons from the field to the sorting mechanism;

[0005] The sorting mechanism includes a vertical pipe and a buffer unit fixedly installed on the traction platform. A feeding port is provided above the vertical pipe, and a collection bin is provided below the vertical pipe. The buffer unit is used to slow down the descent speed of the melons in the vertical pipe.

[0006] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the buffer unit includes a first vertical groove disposed on the side wall of the vertical pipe, a support plate for supporting melons is vertically slidably installed inside the vertical pipe, and first sliding blocks are fixedly installed at intervals around the support plate, the first sliding blocks being slidably connected to the first vertical groove; a buffer box is vertically fixedly installed on the traction platform, a first buffer spring is vertically disposed inside the buffer box, a connecting plate is fixedly disposed above the first buffer spring, and the connecting plate slides vertically within the buffer box; the connecting plate and the first sliding block are connected by a rope, the middle part of the rope being connected to a fixed pulley disposed on the traction platform.

[0007] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the buffer unit further includes a braking component disposed on the buffer box, the braking component being used to apply braking force to the support plate when the support plate slides to the lower section of the vertical pipe.

[0008] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the intermittent braking assembly includes a vertical rack fixedly connected to the connecting plate, a gear meshing with the rack on its side, and the gear being rotatably mounted on the side wall of the buffer box; a drive column is fixedly mounted on the end face of the gear, and a sliding strip is horizontally slidably mounted on the side wall of the buffer box; one end of the sliding strip is hinged to the drive column via a first connecting rod, and the other end has an oblique opening; a second vertical slide groove is fixedly mounted on the traction platform, a brake column is fixedly mounted on the first sliding block, the brake column is connected to the brake block via a second spring, and the brake block is vertically slidably mounted in the second vertical slide groove; a brake plate is horizontally slidably mounted in the second vertical slide groove, and the brake plate is in contact with the oblique opening surface; the oblique opening drives the brake plate to press the brake block.

[0009] As a further embodiment of the present invention, an opening and closing unit is also provided at the feed port; the opening and closing unit includes a sealing plate that is horizontally slidably installed on the top surface of the vertical pipe, and a third spring is provided between the sealing plate and the vertical pipe along the sliding direction of the sealing plate; a second connecting rod is hinged to one end of the sealing plate away from the vertical pipe, one end of the second connecting rod is hinged to the sealing plate, and the other end is hinged to a second sliding block, the second sliding block is vertically slidably installed on the upper section of the vertical pipe; when the first sliding block moves upward on the upper section of the vertical pipe, it drives the second sliding block to move upward.

[0010] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the vertical pipe has vertically spaced openings on its sidewall, and a collection chamber is fixedly installed next to the openings; a slow-descent unit is provided inside the collection chamber; the slow-descent unit includes a mounting plate that is vertically slidably installed inside the collection chamber, and a fourth spring is provided between the mounting plate and the bottom surface of the collection chamber.

[0011] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the harvesting mechanism includes a harvesting platform, a conveyor belt is provided on the harvesting platform, and one end of the harvesting platform is connected to the feeding port.

[0012] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the feeding port is a flared opening.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0014] 1. This invention allows harvested melons to fall directly into a collection bin through a vertical pipe, reducing the footprint of the installation. At the same time, during the falling process, this invention uses a buffer unit to accelerate and then decelerate the collected melons. Acceleration is to improve the overall collection efficiency of the melons, and deceleration is to buffer the impact of the falling melons and ensure their integrity.

[0015] 2. This invention selects a first buffer spring with a small elastic coefficient and pairs it with a point brake assembly. Even when the overall speed of the melon is high, the point brake assembly can still reduce the falling speed of the melon to a sufficiently low level in the latter half of the fall, avoiding impact on the melon and ensuring its integrity. Furthermore, the point brake assembly is driven by the gravity of the falling melon, saving the need for an additional drive source.

[0016] 3. This invention can also sort melons by weight during their descent. Because different types of melons reach different heights as they fall on the support plate, they can be classified according to their weight. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a melon harvesting and transportation platform;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the sorting mechanism of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 For the present invention Figure 2 A magnified view of part A in the middle;

[0021] Figure 4 For the present invention Figure 2 A magnified view of part B in the middle section;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the vertical pipe and bearing plate of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a half-section structural diagram of the sorting mechanism of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the intermittent braking assembly and the support plate of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 8 For the present invention Figure 7 A magnified view of part C in the middle;

[0026] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a half-section of the collection chamber of the present invention.

[0027] The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows:

[0028] 11-Traction head, 12-Traction platform, 13-Conveyor belt, 14-Vertical pipe, 15-Feeding port, 16-Collection bin, 21-First vertical chute, 22-Bearing plate, 23-First sliding block, 24-Buffer box, 25-First buffer spring, 26-Connecting plate, 27-Rope, 28-Fixed pulley, 31-Vertical rack, 32-Gear, 33-Drive column, 34-Sliding bar, 35-First connecting rod, 36-Angled opening, 37-Second vertical chute, 38-Brake column, 39-Second spring, 40-Brake plate, 41-Closed plate, 42-Third spring, 43-Second connecting rod, 44-Second sliding block, 45-Brake block, 51-Opening, 52-Mounting plate, 53-Fourth spring. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] Example 1: Please refer to Figure 1-9 The melon harvesting and transportation platform shown includes a traction mechanism, a harvesting mechanism, and a sorting mechanism; the traction mechanism includes a traction head 11 and a traction platform 12, and the harvesting mechanism and the sorting mechanism are set on the traction platform 12; the harvesting mechanism is used to transport melons from the field to the sorting mechanism.

[0031] The sorting mechanism includes a vertical pipe 14 and a buffer unit fixedly installed on the traction platform 12. A feeding port 15 is provided above the vertical pipe 14, and a collection bin 16 is provided below the vertical pipe 14. The buffer unit is used to slow down the descent speed of the melons in the vertical pipe 14.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, when melons need to be harvested in a field, the present invention is first moved to the field to be harvested. Then, the tractor head 11 begins to move, driving the harvesting and sorting mechanisms on the tractor platform 12. As the tractor head 11 moves, the harvesting mechanisms located on both sides of the tractor platform 12 unfold and suspend above the fields on either side. Workers move the melons from the fields near the harvesting mechanisms to the harvesting mechanisms, which then transport them to the sorting mechanism for collection. The entire process gradually covers the entire field as the tractor platform 12 moves, completing the harvest of the entire field.

[0033] like Figure 2 , Figure 5 As shown, the sorting mechanism operates as follows: harvested melons enter the vertical pipe 14 through the feeding port 15 above it and fall directly into the collection bin 16 below, where they are collected. During the fall, a buffer unit within the vertical pipe 14 cushions the falling melons, reducing impact and ensuring their integrity. This invention allows harvested melons to fall directly into the collection bin 16 through the vertical pipe 14, reducing the footprint of the system. Simultaneously, the buffer unit accelerates and then decelerates the collected melons during the fall; acceleration improves collection efficiency, while deceleration cushions the impact, ensuring the melons' integrity.

[0034] The buffer unit includes a first vertical slide groove 21 disposed on the side wall of the vertical pipe 14, a support plate 22 for supporting melons is vertically slidably installed inside the vertical pipe 14, and first sliding blocks 23 are fixedly installed at intervals around the support plate 22. The first sliding blocks 23 are slidably connected to the first vertical slide groove 21. A buffer box 24 is vertically fixedly installed on the traction platform 12. A first buffer spring 25 is vertically disposed inside the buffer box 24. A connecting plate 26 is fixedly disposed above the first buffer spring 25. The connecting plate 26 slides vertically inside the buffer box 24. The connecting plate 26 and the first sliding block 23 are connected by a rope 27. The middle part of the rope 27 is connected to a fixed pulley 28 disposed on the traction platform 12.

[0035] like Figure 2 , Figure 6As shown, the specific working process of the buffer unit is as follows: When the melons enter the vertical pipe 14 from the feed port 15, they first fall onto the support plate 22, and then the support plate 22 falls under the influence of the weight of the melons. During the falling process of the support plate 22, the first sliding block 23 on the circumferential direction of the support plate 22 pulls the connecting plate 26 in the side buffer box 24 upward through the rope 27. Because the first buffer spring 25 is connected below the connecting plate 26, as the falling distance of the melons increases, the upward distance of the connecting plate 26 also increases, and the tension of the first buffer spring 25 on the connecting plate 26 gradually increases. Therefore, the resistance of the support plate 22 when the melons fall gradually increases until it exceeds the weight of the melons. During this process, the acceleration of the falling melons gradually decreases but remains positive, and the falling speed gradually increases. When the tension of the first buffer spring 25 on the connecting plate 26 increases to be greater than the weight of the melons, the acceleration of the falling melons becomes negative, and at this time the falling speed of the melons begins to decrease. In this way, the melons fall at an initial speed that increases and then decreases as they land below the vertical pipe 14, before rolling into the collection bin 16 for collection. This invention uses a spring mechanism to cushion the falling melons, resulting in a smoother change in their speed, reducing impact and ensuring their integrity.

[0036] The buffer unit also includes a braking component disposed on the buffer box 24, which is used to apply braking force to the support plate 22 when the support plate 22 slides to the lower section of the vertical pipe 14.

[0037] The intermittent braking assembly includes a vertical rack 31 fixedly connected to a connecting plate 26, with a gear 32 meshing with it on the side of the rack. The gear 32 is rotatably mounted on the side wall of the buffer box 24. A drive column 33 is fixedly mounted on the end face of the gear 32. A sliding strip 34 is also horizontally slidably mounted on the side wall of the buffer box 24. One end of the sliding strip 34 is hinged to the drive column 33 via a first connecting rod 35, and the other end has a bevel 36. A second vertical slide groove 37 is fixedly mounted on the traction platform 12. A brake column 38 is fixedly mounted on the first sliding block 23. The brake column 38 is connected to the brake block 45 via a second spring 39. The brake block 45 is vertically slidably mounted in the second vertical slide groove 37. A brake plate 40 is also horizontally slidably mounted in the second vertical slide groove 37. The brake plate 40 is in contact with the bevel 36. The bevel 36 drives the brake plate 40 to press the brake block 45.

[0038] The tension of the first buffer spring 25 is determined by its elastic coefficient and deformation. The elastic coefficient of the first buffer spring 25 is fixed. If the elastic coefficient of the first buffer spring 25 is too large during selection, the overall speed of the melons falling will be too slow, reducing collection efficiency. If the elastic coefficient of the first buffer spring 25 is too small, although the overall speed of the melons falling will increase, the overall length of the vertical pipe 14 is limited. Within the limited length of the vertical pipe 14, the speed of the falling melons may not be reduced sufficiently, potentially damaging the melons. Therefore, this invention provides a point braking component in the lower section of the vertical pipe 14. Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown, during the downward movement of the support plate 22 within the vertical pipe 14, the connecting plate 26 moves upward within the buffer box 24. Because a vertical rack 31 is fixedly installed on the connecting plate 26, the vertical rack 31 also moves upward. When the support plate 22, carrying the melons, falls into the lower section of the vertical pipe 14, the vertical rack 31 moves upward and engages with the gear 32 beside it, driving the gear 32 to rotate. The rotation of the gear 32 drives the first connecting rod 35 to reciprocate through the drive column 33 on its end face. The first connecting rod 35 drives the sliding bar 34 to reciprocate horizontally. When the sliding bar 34 reciprocates, it repeatedly presses the brake plate 40 through the inclined opening 36 at one end. The brake plate 40 presses the brake block 45, and the brake block 45 compresses the second spring 39 to press the first sliding block 23, thus braking the first sliding block 23. Because the first sliding block 23 is fixedly installed on the support plate 22, the support plate 22 is repeatedly braked, further reducing the falling speed of the support plate 22. This invention selects a first buffer spring 25 with a small elastic coefficient and pairs it with a point brake assembly. Even when the overall speed of the melon is high, the point brake assembly can still reduce the falling speed of the melon to a sufficiently low level in the latter half of the fall to avoid impact on the melon and ensure its integrity. Furthermore, the point brake assembly is driven by the gravity of the falling melon, saving the need for an additional drive source.

[0039] An opening and closing unit is also provided at the feed port 15; the opening and closing unit includes a sealing plate 41 that is horizontally slidably installed on the top surface of the vertical pipe 14, and a third spring 42 is provided between the sealing plate 41 and the vertical pipe 14 along the sliding direction of the sealing plate 41; a second connecting rod 43 is hinged to one end of the sealing plate 41 away from the vertical pipe 14, one end of the second connecting rod 43 is hinged to the sealing plate 41, and the other end is hinged to the second sliding block 44, and the second sliding block 44 is vertically slidably installed on the upper section of the vertical pipe 14; when the upper section of the vertical pipe 14 moves upward, the first sliding block 23 drives the second sliding block 44 to move upward.

[0040] like Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 6As shown, to avoid multiple melons being poured into the feeding port 15 simultaneously, the present invention includes an opening and closing unit. The specific working process of the opening and closing unit is as follows: When melons enter the support plate 22 through the feeding port 15, the support plate 22 falls under the weight of the melons. At this time, the closing plate 41 automatically closes the feeding port 15 under the driving force of the third spring 42. When the melons enter the collection bin 16, the support plate 22 returns to its original position. The support plate 22, along with its first sliding block 23, moves upward until the first sliding block 23 contacts the second sliding block 44, and continues to drive the second sliding block 44 upward, as shown... Figure 4 As shown, at this time, the second sliding block 44 moves upward and drives the closing plate 41 to open through the second connecting plate 26, so that the feeding port 15 opens, making it convenient for melons to pass through.

[0041] The vertical pipe 14 has vertically spaced openings 51 on its side wall, and a collection chamber 16 is fixedly installed next to the openings 51. A slow-descent unit is installed inside the collection chamber 16. The slow-descent unit includes a mounting plate 52 that is vertically slidably installed inside the collection chamber 16, and a fourth spring 53 is installed between the mounting plate 52 and the bottom surface of the collection chamber 16.

[0042] like Figure 5 , Figure 9 As shown, the collection bin 16 also has a certain height. If melons are dropped directly into the collection bin 16 from its edge, they may still be damaged by impact. Therefore, the slow-descent unit of this invention initially places the mounting plate 52 in the collection bin 16 at a high position, supported by the fourth spring 53. This minimizes the impact force when melons enter. As melons are continuously collected, the weight of the melons on the mounting plate 52 increases, driving the mounting plate 52 to move vertically downward within the collection bin 16, compressing the fourth spring 53. This invention can adjust the descent height of the mounting plate 52 when it is fully covered by increasing or decreasing the number of fourth springs 53, thus minimizing the falling distance of melons entering the collection bin 16. This invention can also sort melons by weight during their descent. Because different types of melons are at different heights when the carrying plate 22 carries them down, melons can be classified according to their weight. The present invention has vertically spaced openings 51 on the side wall of the vertical pipe 14, and a pusher rod is provided in the vertical pipe 14 on the opposite side of the opening 51. When the support plate 22 finally stabilizes, the pusher rod pushes the melons on the support plate 22 through the opening 51 into the collection chamber 16.

[0043] The harvesting mechanism includes a harvesting platform, on which a conveyor belt 13 is installed. One end of the harvesting platform is connected to a feeding port 15. For example... Figure 1As shown, the melon field is located at a lower elevation, while the collection bin 16 is located at a higher elevation. After harvesting, the melons generally need to be raised before being placed into the collection bin 16. The conveyor belt 13 is used to transport the melons smoothly, preventing damage.

[0044] The feed inlet 15 is a flared opening 51. For example... Figure 1 As shown, this setting is to allow melons to smoothly enter the vertical pipe 14 through the feed inlet 15.

Claims

1. A melon harvesting and transportation platform, characterized in that: It includes a traction mechanism, a harvesting mechanism, and a sorting mechanism; the traction mechanism includes a traction head (11) and a traction platform (12), and the harvesting mechanism and the sorting mechanism are set on the traction platform (12); the harvesting mechanism is used to transport melons from the field to the sorting mechanism; The sorting mechanism includes a vertical pipe (14) and a buffer unit fixedly installed on the traction platform (12). A feeding port (15) is provided above the vertical pipe (14), and a collection bin (16) is provided below the vertical pipe (14). The buffer unit is used to slow down the descent speed of the melons in the vertical pipe (14). The buffer unit includes a first vertical groove (21) disposed on the side wall of the vertical pipe (14), a support plate (22) for carrying melons is vertically slidably installed inside the vertical pipe (14), and first sliding blocks (23) are fixedly installed at intervals on the circumference of the support plate (22). The first sliding blocks (23) are slidably connected to the first vertical groove (21). A buffer box (24) is vertically fixedly installed on the traction platform (12), and a first buffer spring (25) is vertically disposed inside the buffer box (24). A connecting plate (26) is fixedly disposed above the first buffer spring (25). The connecting plate (26) slides vertically inside the buffer box (24). The connecting plate (26) is connected to the first sliding block (23) by a rope (27). The middle part of the rope (27) is connected to a fixed pulley (28) disposed on the traction platform (12). The buffer unit further includes a braking component disposed on the buffer box (24), which is used to apply a braking force to the support plate (22) when the support plate (22) slides to the lower section of the vertical pipe (14); The intermittent braking assembly includes a vertical rack (31) fixedly connected to the connecting plate (26), a gear (32) meshing with the rack on its side, the gear (32) being rotatably mounted on the side wall of the buffer box (24); a drive column (33) is fixedly mounted on the end face of the gear (32), and a sliding strip (34) is horizontally slidably mounted on the side wall of the buffer box (24); one end of the sliding strip (34) is hinged to the drive column (33) via a first connecting rod (35), and the other end... One end has a slanted opening (36); a second vertical slide groove (37) is fixedly installed on the traction platform (12), a brake column (38) is fixedly installed on the first sliding block (23), the brake column (38) is connected to the brake block (45) through a second spring (39), the brake block (45) is vertically slidably installed in the second vertical slide groove (37); a brake plate (40) is horizontally slidably installed in the second vertical slide groove (37), the brake plate (40) is in contact with the slanted opening (36); The oblique opening (36) presses the brake block (45) by driving the brake plate (40); The first buffer spring (25) is a low elastic coefficient spring to allow the support plate (22) to descend rapidly in the initial stage. The point brake assembly is used to drive the gear (32) to rotate through the vertical rack (31) at the end of the descent of the support plate (22), and then drive the sliding bar (34) to slide back and forth through the drive column (33) and the first connecting rod (35), and the inclined hole (36) drives the brake plate (40) to squeeze the brake block (45) to achieve smooth deceleration at the end while ensuring collection efficiency. The vertical pipe (14) has vertically spaced openings (51) on its side wall, and a collection chamber (16) is fixedly installed next to the openings (51); a slow-descent unit is provided inside the collection chamber (16); the slow-descent unit includes a mounting plate (52) that is vertically slidably installed inside the collection chamber (16), and a fourth spring (53) is provided between the mounting plate (52) and the bottom surface of the collection chamber (16).

2. The melon harvesting and transportation platform according to claim 1, characterized in that: An opening and closing unit is also provided at the feed port (15); the opening and closing unit includes a sealing plate (41) that is horizontally slidably installed on the top surface of the vertical pipe (14), and a third spring (42) is provided between the sealing plate (41) and the vertical pipe (14) along the sliding direction of the sealing plate (41); a second connecting rod (43) is hinged to one end of the sealing plate (41) away from the vertical pipe (14), one end of the second connecting rod (43) is hinged to the sealing plate (41), and the other end is hinged to the second sliding block (44), and the second sliding block (44) is vertically slidably installed on the upper section of the vertical pipe (14); the first sliding block (23) drives the second sliding block (44) to move upward when the upper section of the vertical pipe (14) moves upward.

3. A melon harvesting and transportation platform according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The harvesting mechanism includes a harvesting platform, on which a conveyor belt (13) is provided, and one end of the harvesting platform is connected to the feeding port (15).

4. The melon harvesting and transportation platform according to claim 3, characterized in that: The feed inlet (15) is a flared opening (51).

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