Automatic lettuce harvesting, leaf removal and storage machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic lettuce harvesting, defoliating and storing integrated machine, comprising a cutting device, a conveying device, a defoliating device and a storing device, wherein the cutting device comprises a pair of relatively arranged knives, a driving assembly and a guide flexible wheel group for driving the knives and enabling the knives to realize staggered rotary motion; the conveying device comprises a lifting flexible wheel group, a side guide plate and a propulsion conveying chain, and the conveying device is driven by the lifting flexible wheel group, the side guide plate and the propulsion conveying chain; the defoliating device is installed at the output end of the conveying device, and the defoliating device comprises a stem guide pulley and a defoliating blade; the storing device comprises a lettuce collecting box and a push rod lifting platform for driving the lifting of the lettuce collecting box, and the push rod lifting platform is installed below the lettuce collecting box. The integrated machine has an ingenious structure and is easy to operate, and can complete defoliation during the harvesting process, which is convenient for the transportation and storage of lettuce in the later stage, prolongs the shelf life, reduces pests and diseases, increases economic benefits and can greatly reduce labor intensity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of agricultural harvesting, in particular to an automated lettuce harvesting, leaf removal, collection and storage all-in-one machine. Background Art

[0002] Lettuce, also known as lettuce, is a variety of lettuce in the genus Lactuca in the Asteraceae family that can form fleshy tender stems. It is an annual or biennial herb. The above-ground stems are edible, with white-green stem bark, tender and crisp stems, and emerald green young stems that turn white-green when mature. The staple food is the fleshy tender stems, which can be eaten raw, cold, fried, dried or pickled, and the young leaves are also edible. The stems and leaves contain lettuce (C11H14O4 or C22H36O7), which tastes bitter and has analgesic effects. The crop has strong adaptability and can be cultivated in spring and autumn or overwintering, mainly in spring and harvested in summer.

[0003] From the perspective of market prospects, the demand for lettuce is increasing year by year. It can be seen that there is a huge development prospect for lettuce processing. China is the world's largest producer of lettuce. Lettuce is widely grown in China, mainly distributed in Northeast China, North China, Southwest China and the Yangtze River Basin.

[0004] Failure to remove the lettuce leaves in time can easily lead to lettuce leaf rot, which can cause the lettuce to be attacked by pathogens and pests. At present, lettuce is mostly harvested manually, which often requires cutting the roots first and then peeling the leaves. There are problems such as low efficiency, high labor intensity, and difficult to control the harvesting quality, which leads to increased labor costs, extended harvesting cycles, low production efficiency, etc., which affects lettuce production and farmers' income. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to overcome the defects in the above-mentioned prior art, the object of the invention is to provide an automated lettuce harvesting, leaf removal and storage machine. The machine has an ingenious structure and is easy to operate. It can complete leaf removal during the harvesting process, which is convenient for the later transportation and storage of lettuce, prolongs the shelf life, reduces pests and diseases, increases economic benefits, and can greatly reduce labor intensity while improving production efficiency, enhance user experience, and is conducive to the promotion and application of the above-mentioned automated lettuce harvesting, leaf removal and storage machine in the field of agricultural harvesting technology.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned invention object, the present invention adopts the following technical scheme: an automated lettuce harvesting, leaf removal and storage machine, including a cutting device, a conveying device, a leaf removal device and a storage device, the cutting device including a pair of relatively arranged knives, a driving component and a guide flexible wheel group for driving the knives and enabling the knives to achieve staggered rotary motion, the cutting device realizes rapid chopping of the lettuce roots through the staggered rotation of the pair of knives, and realizes directional lodging, lifting and landing of the lettuce to the conveying device through the guide flexible wheel group; the conveying device includes a lifting flexible wheel group, a side The guide plate and the propulsion conveying chain, the conveying device realizes lettuce transmission and provides the main driving force for lettuce defoliation through the lifting flexible wheel group, the side guide plate and the propulsion conveying chain; the defoliation device is installed at the output end of the conveying device, the defoliation device includes a stem guide pulley and a defoliation blade, and the stem guide pulley can make the defoliation blade adapt to lettuces of different thicknesses to achieve flexible defoliation; the storage device includes a lettuce collection box and a push rod lifting platform for driving the lettuce collection box to rise and fall, and the push rod lifting platform is installed below the lettuce collection box.

[0007] As a preferred solution of the present invention, a blade protection plate is installed on the side of the tool.

[0008] As a preferred solution of the present invention, there are two side guide plates, a guide groove is formed between the two side guide plates, and the propulsion conveying chain part is located in the guide groove to drive the lettuce to move toward the leaf removal device.

[0009] As a preferred solution of the present invention, a one-way baffle rod capable of preventing the lettuce from sliding off the conveying device is installed at the lower side of the guide baffle groove, and the one-way baffle rod is a pair, and the one-way baffle rods are arranged opposite to each other.

[0010] As a preferred solution of the present invention, the defoliating blade is a split structure including a plurality of defoliating blades, a blade mounting seat is installed at the bottom of the defoliating blade, and an elastic member is installed between the blade mounting seat and the bottom of the defoliating blade.

[0011] As a preferred solution of the present invention, there are four leaf removing blades, and the four leaf removing blades together form a circle that can adapt to the outer diameter of the lettuce.

[0012] As a preferred solution of the present invention, the leaf removal device also includes a leaf removal auxiliary flexible wheel group, which is installed behind the leaf removal blade to assist in leaf removal of lettuce and provide pulling force for the lettuce after leaf removal; the leaf removal auxiliary flexible wheel group is a pair of flexible wheels that are opposite to each other and arranged with a gap.

[0013] As a preferred solution of the present invention, the gap between the two flexible wheels is adapted to the outer diameter of the lettuce.

[0014] As a preferred solution of the present invention, the defoliation device further comprises a leaf storage box, and the leaf storage box is installed below the defoliation blade.

[0015] As a preferred solution of the present invention, the storage device further comprises a steering gear opening and closing door, and the steering gear opening and closing door is located above the lettuce collection box.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the automated lettuce harvesting, leaf removal and storage all-in-one machine has an ingenious structure and is easy to operate. By integrating a cutting device, a conveying device, a leaf removal device and a storage device into one, the lettuce can be leafed during the harvesting process, which is convenient for the later transportation and storage of the lettuce, prolongs the shelf life, reduces pests and diseases, increases economic benefits, and can greatly reduce labor intensity while improving production efficiency, enhance user experience, and is conducive to the promotion and application of the above-mentioned automated lettuce harvesting, leaf removal and storage all-in-one machine in the field of agricultural harvesting technology. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an automated lettuce harvesting, leaf removal, storage and collection machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a cutting device in an automated lettuce harvesting, leaf removal, storage and collection machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an automated lettuce harvesting, leaf removal, storage and collection machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a leaf removal device in an automated lettuce harvesting, leaf removal, storage and collection machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the storage device in the automatic lettuce harvesting, leaf removal and storage machine in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure numerals: 1, cutting device; 1-1, tool; 1-2, drive assembly; 1-3, guide flexible wheel group; 1-4, blade protection plate; 2, conveying device; 2-1, lifting flexible wheel group; 2-2, side guide plate; 2-3, propulsion conveying chain; 2-4, guide stop groove; 2-5, one-way stop rod; 3, defoliation device; 3-1, stem guide pulley; 3-2, defoliation blade; 3-2-1, defoliation blade; 3-2-2, elastic member; 3-2-3, blade mounting seat; 3-3, leaf auxiliary flexible wheel group; 3-3-1, flexible wheel; 3-4, leaf storage box; 4, storage device; 4-1, lettuce collection box; 4-2, push rod lifting platform; 4-3, servo opening and closing door; 5, handlebar; 6, wheel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention is described below by the specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that these descriptions are only exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In addition, in the following description, the description of well-known structures and technologies is omitted to avoid unnecessary confusion of the concept of the present invention.

[0024] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "up", "down", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside", etc. indicate directions or positional relationships based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limitations on the present invention.

[0025] The present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0026] like Figures 1 to 5As shown, the automatic lettuce harvesting, leaf removal and storage integrated machine is mainly composed of a cutting device 1, a conveying device 2, a leaf removal device 3 and a storage device 4. The lettuce is slender, the total height is mainly concentrated in 40-55cm, the mass is mainly concentrated in 401-500g, the shear force is mainly concentrated in 201-300N, the compressive strength is mainly concentrated in 1.81-2.1MPa, the standard deviation and the coefficient of variation are not large, therefore, it is conducive to the design of the integrated machine in this embodiment. The cutting device 1 in this embodiment mainly consists of a pair of relatively arranged knives 1-1, a driving component 1-2 for driving the knives 1-1 and enabling the knives 1-1 to realize staggered rotary motion, and a guide flexible wheel group 1-3. The cutting device 1 realizes rapid chopping of the root of the lettuce by the staggered rotation of the pair of knives 1-1, and realizes the directional lodging, lifting and landing of the lettuce to the conveying device 2 by the guide flexible wheel group 1-3; the driving component 1-2 is a driving motor, which drives the knife 1-1 to cut the root of the lettuce. After the root of the lettuce is cut off, it will fall backward under the action of gravity, that is, fall in the direction of the conveying device 2, and then be transmitted to the direction of the conveying device 2 by the guide flexible wheel group 1-3. The guide flexible wheel group 1-3 is a pair of relatively arranged guide wheels, and a driving motor is installed at the bottom of the guide wheel. The driving motor drives the guide wheel to rotate, thereby driving the lettuce to move in the direction of the conveying device 2.

[0027] The knife 1-1 is provided with a blade protection plate 1-4 on the side thereof, and the bottom of the blade protection plate 1-4 is arranged obliquely outwards, on the one hand to avoid impact on the knife 1-1, and on the other hand to protect the safety of the user, to prevent accidental contact with the sharp blade during operation and injury. In addition, the blade protection plate 1-4 can also protect the blade itself from damage and extend the service life of the knife. When the knife is not in use, the blade protection plate 1-4 can also prevent the blade from being contaminated or damaged during storage and transportation.

[0028] The above-mentioned conveying device 2 in this embodiment includes a lifting flexible wheel group 2-1, a side guide plate 2-2 and a propulsion conveying chain 2-3. The lifting flexible wheel group 2-1 includes a pair of relatively arranged lifting wheels, which are arranged corresponding to the positions of the above-mentioned guide wheels, that is, the lettuce is directly transferred to the lifting wheel through the above-mentioned guide wheels. Similarly, in order to facilitate the movement of the lettuce and increase the movement rate, a driving motor for driving the lifting wheel to roll is installed at the bottom of the lifting wheel. The lifting wheel is driven to roll by the driving motor, thereby realizing the lifting and movement of the lettuce. The conveying device 2 in this embodiment has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture. By installing two side guide plates 2-2 on both sides of the push conveying chain 2-3, the lettuce is prevented from falling, and a guide retaining groove 2-4 is formed between the two side guide plates 2-2. The push conveying chain 2-3 is partially located in the guide retaining groove 2-4 to drive the lettuce to move in the direction of the defoliating device 3. In this process, the lettuce is transmitted and the main driving force is provided for the defoliating of the lettuce through the lifting flexible wheel set 2-1, the side guide plates 2-2 and the push conveying chain 2-3, so that the lettuce moves in the direction of the defoliating device 3. A one-way retaining rod 2-5 capable of preventing the lettuce from sliding off the conveying device 2 is installed on the lower side of the guide retaining groove 2-4. The one-way retaining rod 2-5 is a pair, and the one-way retaining rod 2-5 is arranged opposite to each other.

[0029] The defoliating device 3 is installed at an angle at the output end of the conveying device 2. Specifically, the installation angle of the defoliating device 3 is consistent with the oblique angle of the pushing conveying chain 2-3. The purpose is to allow the lettuce passing through the conveying device 2 to directly enter the defoliating blade 3-2 of the defoliating device 3 to achieve defoliation of the lettuce. Specifically, the defoliating device 3 includes a stem guide pulley 3-1 and a defoliating blade 3-2. The stem guide pulley 3-1 can make the defoliating blade 3-2 adapt to lettuces of different thicknesses to achieve flexible defoliation.

[0030] The above-mentioned defoliating blade 3-2 is a split structure including a plurality of defoliating blades 3-2-1, a blade mounting seat 3-2-3 is installed at the bottom of the above-mentioned defoliating blade 3-2-1, and an elastic member 3-2-2 is installed between the above-mentioned blade mounting seat 3-2-3 and the bottom of the above-mentioned defoliating blade 3-2-1. The elastic member 3-2-2 is a spring with a simple structure and high economical practicality. By setting the elastic member 3-2-2, the distance between the defoliating blade 3-2-1 and the blade mounting seat 3-2-3 can be changed, and then the size of the defoliating blade 3-2 can be changed, so that the defoliating blade 3-2 can adapt to lettuces of different thicknesses, and the spring has a tensioning force, so that the defoliating blade 3-2 can be fastened outside the lettuce, so that the blade mounting seat 3-2-3 can be expanded and contracted according to the change of the outer diameter of the lettuce, thereby adapting to lettuces of different sizes and realizing the defoliation operation of lettuces of different thicknesses. The above-mentioned leaf removal blades 3-2-1 can be multiple pieces, so that the leaves of the lettuce can be removed from different directions at one time. The above-mentioned leaf removal blades 3-2-1 in this embodiment are four pieces, and the four leaf removal blades 3-2-1 are surrounded to form a circle that can adapt to the outer diameter of the lettuce. Through the evenly distributed leaf removal blades 3-2-1 and the adaptive circle, it can be ensured that the lettuce is subjected to uniform processing force during the processing, thereby ensuring the uniformity and quality of leaf removal. The split structure means that each component can be disassembled and replaced separately, which makes maintenance and blade replacement more convenient and quick.

[0031] The above-mentioned defoliation device 3 also includes a defoliation auxiliary flexible wheel group 3-3, which is installed behind the above-mentioned defoliation blade 3-2 to assist the defoliation of the lettuce and provide tension for the defoliated lettuce. Specifically, the above-mentioned defoliation auxiliary flexible wheel group 3-3 is a pair of flexible wheels 3-3-1 that are opposite and arranged with a gap to reduce damage to the lettuce and ensure the quality of the lettuce. The gap between the two above-mentioned flexible wheels 3-3-1 is adapted to the outer diameter of the lettuce, and specifically, the size of the gap is adapted to the outer diameter of the lettuce.

[0032] The above-mentioned leaf removal device 3 also includes a leaf storage box 3-4, which is installed below the above-mentioned leaf removal blade 3-2. The leaf storage box 3-4 can conveniently collect leaves removed during the leaf removal process. The collected leaves can be subsequently processed, such as composting or used as animal feed, to achieve resource recycling, and can reduce the number of manual cleaning times and improve the efficiency of leaf removal.

[0033] In order to facilitate the collection of the defoliated lettuce and reduce damage to the lettuce, the above-mentioned storage device 4 is installed at the rear end of the above-mentioned defoliation device 3. Specifically, the above-mentioned storage device 4 includes a lettuce collection box 4-1 and a push rod lifting platform 4-2. The above-mentioned push rod lifting platform 4-2 is installed below the above-mentioned lettuce collection box 4-1 to drive the above-mentioned lettuce collection box 4-1 to rise and fall, so as to prevent the lettuce from falling due to excessive height and causing damage to the lettuce.

[0034] In order to realize an automated and efficient collection process, the storage device 4 also includes a steering gear opening and closing door 4-3, which is located above the lettuce collection box 4-1. The steering gear opening and closing door 4-3 can be automatically opened and closed by program control, so that the door can be automatically opened to collect the lettuce after the lettuce is defoliated, thereby improving the collection efficiency.

[0035] The automatic lettuce harvesting, leaf removal and storage integrated machine in this embodiment mainly adopts a DC brush motor as the main driving device to drive the transmission machinery and the cutting saw blade, and harvests lettuce in a single row. A handlebar 5 is installed on the top of the frame, and a wheel 6 is installed at the bottom. When the whole machine is working, it can be manually (pushing the handlebar 5) or automatically driven forward (electrically driving the wheel 6), press the power switch, adjust the center of the saw blade to align with the lettuce, and quickly cut the root of the lettuce at a set angle through a pair of staggered rotating knives 1-1, and achieve directional lodging, lifting and landing of the lettuce through the guide flexible wheel group 1-3, and achieve accurate transmission of lettuce and provide the main driving force for defoliation of lettuce through the sprocket drive transmission chain 2-3 and the side guide plate 2-2, and detect the position of the lettuce by the infrared radiation device, and control the steering gear to open the opening and closing door to let the lettuce fall into the storage device 4, and the push rod lifting platform 4-2 can change the above-mentioned lettuce collection box 4-1 according to the weight of the lettuce.

[0036] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables one skilled in the art to implement or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention; therefore, the present invention will not be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but rather to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0037] Although this article uses more of the following terms: 1. cutting device; 1-1. tool; 1-2. drive assembly; 1-3. guide flexible wheel group; 1-4. blade protection plate; 2. conveying device; 2-1. lifting flexible wheel group; 2-2. side guide plate; 2-3. propulsion conveying chain; 2-4. guide retaining groove; 2-5. one-way retaining rod; 3. defoliation device; 3-1. stem guide pulley; 3-2. defoliation blade; 3-2-1. defoliation blade; 3-2-2. elastic member; 3-2-3. blade mounting seat; 3-3. leaf auxiliary flexible wheel group; 3-3-1. flexible wheel; 3-4. leaf storage box; 4. storage device; 4-1. lettuce collection box; 4-2. push rod lifting platform; 4-3. servo opening and closing door; 5. handlebar; 6. wheel, the possibility of using other terms is not excluded. These terms are used only to more conveniently describe and explain the essence of the present invention; any additional limitations interpreted as them are contrary to the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automated lettuce harvesting, leaf removal, storage and collection machine, characterized in that: The invention comprises a cutting device (1), a conveying device (2), a leaf removing device (3) and a storage device (4); the cutting device (1) comprises a pair of knives (1-1) arranged opposite to each other, a driving assembly (1-2) for driving the knives (1-1) and enabling the knives (1-1) to achieve staggered rotary motion, and a guide flexible wheel group (1-3); the cutting device (1) achieves rapid cutting of the root of the lettuce by staggered rotary motion of the pair of knives (1-1); and achieves directional lodging, lifting and landing of the lettuce to the conveying device (2) by the guide flexible wheel group (1-3); the conveying device (2) comprises a lifting flexible wheel group (2-1), a side guide plate (2-2) and a propulsion conveying chain (2-3); The conveying device (2) realizes the transmission of lettuce and provides a driving force for defoliating the lettuce through the lifting flexible wheel group (2-1), the side guide plate (2-2) and the propulsion conveying chain (2-3); the defoliating device (3) is installed at the output end of the conveying device (2); the defoliating device (3) comprises a stem guide pulley (3-1) and a defoliating blade (3-2); the stem guide pulley (3-1) can make the defoliating blade (3-2) adapt to lettuces of different thicknesses, thereby realizing flexible defoliation; the storage device (4) comprises a lettuce collection box (4-1) and a push rod lifting platform (4-2) for driving the lettuce collection box (4-1) to rise and fall; the push rod lifting platform (4-2) is installed on the lettuce collection box (4-1). Below the collecting box (4-1), the side guide plates (2-2) are two pieces, a guide retaining groove (2-4) is formed between the two side guide plates (2-2), the propulsion conveying chain (2-3) is partially located in the guide retaining groove (2-4) to drive the lettuce to move in the direction of the defoliating device (3), the lower side of the guide retaining groove (2-4) is provided with a one-way retaining rod (2-5) capable of preventing the lettuce from sliding off the conveying device (2), the one-way retaining rod (2-5) is a pair, and the pair of one-way retaining rods (2-5) are arranged opposite to each other, the defoliating blade (3-2) is a split structure including a plurality of defoliating blades (3-2-1), and a blade mounting seat (3-2-3) is installed at the bottom of the defoliating blade (3-2-1) An elastic member (3-2-2) is installed between the blade mounting seat (3-2-3) and the bottom of the leaf removing blade (3-2-1); the leaf removing blade (3-2-1) is four, and the four leaf removing blades (3-2-1) together form a circle that can adapt to the outer diameter of the lettuce; the leaf removing device (3) also includes a leaf removing auxiliary flexible wheel group (3-3); the leaf removing auxiliary flexible wheel group (3-3) is installed behind the leaf removing blade (3-2) and is used to assist in leaf removal of the lettuce and provide tension for the lettuce after the leaf removal; the leaf removing auxiliary flexible wheel group (3-3) is a pair of flexible wheels (3-3-1) that are opposite to each other and are arranged with a gap, and the gap between the two flexible wheels (3-3-1) is adapted to the outer diameter of the lettuce.

2. The automatic lettuce harvesting, leaf removal and storage machine according to claim 1 is characterized in that: A blade protection plate (1-4) is installed on the side of the knife (1-1).

3. The automatic lettuce harvesting, leaf removal and storage machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The leaf removing device (3) further comprises a leaf storage box (3-4), wherein the leaf storage box (3-4) is installed below the leaf removing blade (3-2).

4. The automatic lettuce harvesting, leaf removal and storage machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The storage device (4) further comprises a steering gear opening and closing door (4-3), wherein the steering gear opening and closing door (4-3) is located above the lettuce collection box (4-1).

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