A device for preventing and removing plants of the climbing type

By using image acquisition and cutting devices mounted on drones, the system can accurately identify, clamp, and cut climbing plants, solving the problem of damage to nearby plants caused by the removal of climbing plants and improving cleaning efficiency and safety.

CN119837104BActive Publication Date: 2026-06-23RONGCHENG CUSTOMS COMPREHENSIVE TECH SERVICE CENT

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
RONGCHENG CUSTOMS COMPREHENSIVE TECH SERVICE CENT
Filing Date
2025-01-10
Publication Date
2026-06-23

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing technologies are insufficient to effectively remove climbing plants without affecting nearby plants, especially invasive species such as the five-clawed golden dragon, as spraying pesticides can harm other plants.

Method used

A drone equipped with an image acquisition unit, a gripping component, and a cutting component is used to achieve precise clearing of climbing plants by identifying, gripping, and cutting them. The gripping component includes a motorized push rod and a clamping plate, while the cutting component uses rollers and cutting blades to work together to ensure stable cutting of the plants.

Benefits of technology

It achieves precise removal of climbing plants, avoids harm to other plants from pesticide spraying, and improves cleaning efficiency and safety.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of climbing plant prevention, and particularly relates to a prevention device for climbing plants. The present application comprises a UAV, and an image collector is fixedly connected to the UAV; a grabbing assembly comprises a first electric push rod, a connecting plate, and a clamping plate assembly; a cutting assembly comprises a movable block, a roller, a force transmission assembly, and a cutting blade; the side of the movable block facing the roller is a slope, the slope is inwardly retracted from bottom to top and is in contact with the surface of the roller, and the movable block is moved outwardly by the roller when being moved vertically upward; the force transmission assembly transmits the outward movement of the movable block to the cutting blade, so that the cutting blade is moved inwardly. Through the flexibility of the UAV and the cooperative work of the components, the present application realizes the identification, positioning, grabbing and cutting of climbing plants, and achieves precise cleaning, and the cleaning process does not affect the plants attached to the climbing plants.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of climbing plant control technology, and particularly relates to a control device for climbing plants. Background Technology

[0002] Climbing plants often beautify and serve practical purposes in human living environments, but in some cases, they can also cause adverse effects. For example, their roots can infiltrate gaps in roofing materials, damaging the waterproofing layer and leading to leaks and structural damage. Some climbing plants also twine around other trees and shrubs, covering their canopies and preventing them from receiving sufficient sunlight, causing them to slowly wither and die.

[0003] Chinese utility model patent CN212448102U discloses a drone for weeding image recognition. The device collects ground images through an image acquisition device at the bottom of the drone to identify the location of weeds, and then sprays pesticides at fixed points on the drone to achieve unmanned and precise weeding.

[0004] However, some climbing plants, such as the five-clawed golden dragon type of invasive alien plants, can cover the surface of tall or shrubby plants, and pesticide spraying can harm other plants.

[0005] In summary, there is a need for a control device that can remove climbing plants without affecting nearby plants. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a device for controlling climbing plants. This invention utilizes the flexibility of drones and the coordinated operation of its components to identify, locate, grasp, and cut climbing plants, achieving precise removal without affecting the technical effects of the plants to which the climbing plants are attached.

[0007] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above problems is: a control device for climbing plants, comprising:

[0008] A drone, on which an image acquisition device is fixedly connected;

[0009] The gripping assembly includes a first electric push rod fixedly connected to the top of the drone, a connecting plate fixedly connected to the telescopic end of the first electric push rod, and a clamping plate assembly disposed at the bottom of the connecting plate.

[0010] The cutting assembly includes a movable block movably connected to the bottom of the drone, a roller disposed on the connecting plate, a force transmission component disposed on the movable block, and a cutting blade disposed on the force transmission component.

[0011] The movable block has an inclined surface on the side facing the roller, and the inclined surface contracts inward from bottom to top and contacts the surface of the roller. When the movable block moves vertically upward, it is driven to move outward by the roller.

[0012] The force transmission component transmits the outward movement of the movable block to the cutting blade, causing the cutting blade to move inward.

[0013] The drone provides a mobile platform for the equipment, enabling it to move flexibly in the air and reach different heights and locations within the vegetation. The image acquisition device is used to acquire real-time image information of the plants; through image processing technology, it can identify and locate target plants, assisting the drone in navigation and operation of other components.

[0014] The first motorized push rod of the gripping assembly enables the vertical telescopic movement of the clamping plate assembly to grip the plant in the appropriate position. The connecting plate and clamping plate assembly are used to clamp and secure the climbing plant, enabling direct removal of the climbing plant through pulling action, and ensuring the plant's position remains stable during cutting, preventing slippage or displacement.

[0015] In the cutting assembly, the movable block, through contact and relative movement with the rollers, generates horizontal displacement, thereby moving the movable block outwards. The force transmission assembly transmits the horizontal movement of the movable block to the cutting blade, ensuring that the cutting blade can accurately reach the target position for cutting. The cutting blade is responsible for cutting off the clamped climbing plant, achieving effective removal of the plant.

[0016] A further preferred technical solution is that: the force transmission component includes a first horizontal bar fixedly connected to the outside of the movable block, a spring sleeved on the outside of the first horizontal bar and fixedly connected at one end to the movable block, a vertical bar located at the lower part of the drone, a first connecting rod hinged between the vertical bar and the first horizontal bar by a hinge, a second horizontal bar located below the first horizontal bar, and a second connecting rod hinged between the second horizontal bar and the vertical bar by a hinge.

[0017] A cutting blade is fixedly connected to the end of the second crossbar;

[0018] The side of the drone is fixedly connected to a second guide member, which is slidably connected to the first horizontal bar and the vertical bar, and the second guide member is fixedly connected to a spring.

[0019] The drone is fixedly connected to a landing gear at its bottom, and a first guide is fixedly connected to the landing gear, with the first guide being slidably connected to the second crossbar.

[0020] A further preferred technical solution is that the force transmission component is a U-shaped hydraulic device, which includes a hydraulic pipe, an upper hydraulic rod disposed on the upper side of the hydraulic pipe and used to connect to the outside of the movable block, a lower hydraulic rod disposed on the lower side of the hydraulic pipe and used to connect to the outside of the cutting blade, and a fixing rod disposed on the hydraulic pipe and fixedly connected to the lower side of the UAV.

[0021] A further preferred technical solution is that the clamping plate assembly includes two sets of clamping plates movably connected to the bottom of the connecting plate, and a second electric push rod for pushing the clamping plates is fixedly connected to the connecting plate.

[0022] A further preferred technical solution is that: a first guide groove is symmetrically provided at the bottom of the connecting plate, a first guide block is slidably connected inside the first guide groove, and the first guide block is simultaneously fixedly connected to the clamping plate and the telescopic end of the second electric push rod.

[0023] A further preferred technical solution is that: in the two sets of clamping plates, one clamping plate is provided with strip-shaped grooves at equal intervals, and the other clamping plate is provided with strip-shaped protrusions at positions corresponding to the strip-shaped grooves.

[0024] A further preferred technical solution is that the edges of the strip-shaped protrusion are rounded.

[0025] A further preferred technical solution is that: a second guide block is fixedly connected to the top of the movable block, and a second guide groove is opened at the bottom of the drone corresponding to the position of the second guide block and is slidably connected to the second guide block.

[0026] A further preferred technical solution is that the bottom of the landing gear is provided with an anti-slip pad.

[0027] A further preferred technical solution is that the cutting component is provided in two sets.

[0028] In summary, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0029] 1. This invention uses a clamping plate assembly to clamp and grasp climbing plants of the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon type. A first electric push rod drives the connecting plate to rise, and the clamping plate assembly on the connecting plate can pull the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon type climbing plants, thereby facilitating the removal of the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon type climbing plants. This effectively avoids the problem of harming other plants when removing the target plant by spraying chemicals.

[0030] 2. When the first electric push rod drives the connecting plate to rise, the rising connecting plate can also drive the roller to move together. When the roller rises, it will push the two sets of cutting blades to move in opposite directions simultaneously through the force transmission component, so as to facilitate the cutting of the already pulled climbing plants and thus quickly remove the climbing plants.

[0031] 3. The present invention also enhances the gripping effect on climbing plants of the five-clawed golden dragon type by using the cooperation of the strip-shaped protrusions and strip-shaped grooves of the clamping plate assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the grasping component of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the cutting component of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the force transmission component of the present invention when it is a U-shaped hydraulic device;

[0036] In the attached diagram, the components represented by each number are as follows: 1. UAV fuselage; 2. Image acquisition unit; 3. Propeller; 4. Landing support; 101. First electric push rod; 102. Connecting plate; 103. Clamping plate; 104. Second electric push rod; 105. First guide block; 106. Strip protrusion; 201. Movable block; 202. First crossbar; 203. Spring; 204. Vertical rod; 205. First connecting rod; 206. Second crossbar; 207. Second connecting rod; 208. Cutting blade; 209. Roller; 210. Second guide block; 501. Hydraulic pipe; 502. Upper hydraulic rod; 503. Lower hydraulic rod; 504. Fixing rod. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] This specific embodiment is merely an explanation of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. After reading this specification, those skilled in the art can make modifications to this embodiment without contributing any inventive step, but such modifications are protected by patent law as long as they are within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

[0039] Example:

[0040] Please combine Figures 1-4 This embodiment provides a device for controlling climbing plants, including a drone 1, with an image acquisition device 2 fixedly connected to one side of its bottom. The image acquisition device 2 is a prior art device capable of acquiring real-time image data, primarily used for identifying and locating climbing plants requiring treatment. Its specific structure includes at least:

[0041] Camera module: The camera module is the core component of the image acquisition device, responsible for capturing images of the surrounding environment. A high-resolution camera can be used to ensure image clarity and detail.

[0042] Lens system: Depending on the application requirements, the lens system is a zoom lens to adapt to different shooting ranges and distances. In a preferred embodiment, the lens system includes a macro lens.

[0043] Wireless transmission module: wirelessly transmits the processed image data to the ground control station or other analysis equipment for further analysis and decision-making.

[0044] Housing and bracket: Provides a structure to protect and secure the camera module, ensuring its stability and reliability during drone flight.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, an image processing unit is also included: the built-in image processing unit is used for preliminary processing and optimization of the captured image data to improve recognition accuracy. This includes functions such as white balance adjustment, noise filtering, and image enhancement.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, a gimbal stabilization module is also included: for maintaining the stability of the camera module to ensure that images captured remain clear when the drone is moving or vibrating.

[0047] Drone 1 is a device in the prior art capable of short-range flight, mainly used to approach climbing plants, and its specific structure includes at least:

[0048] Power system: Provides the power required for the drone to fly, mainly including motor and propeller 3. The motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy to drive the propeller to rotate and generate thrust.

[0049] Battery and power management system: Provides power to all electronic devices of the drone, including the battery. In a preferred embodiment, a backup battery is also included. In another preferred embodiment, a power management unit is also included to monitor battery status, prevent overcharging or over-discharging, and calculate whether the drone has sufficient battery power for return.

[0050] Controller: Provides the environmental data required for flight control, mainly including a GPS module for positioning and navigation; a barometer for altitude measurement; an accelerometer and gyroscope for attitude detection and stability control; and a magnetometer for heading detection.

[0051] In this embodiment, the specific structure of the drone 1 is as follows: four sets of brackets are fixedly connected to the drone 1 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction; a motor is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the bracket; a propeller 3 is fixedly connected to the rotor end of the motor to drive the drone to fly; landing brackets 4 are fixedly connected to both sides of the bottom of the drone 1; a first guide is fixedly connected to the landing bracket 4 and the first guide is slidably connected to the second crossbar 206 on the same side to ensure the stability of the drone when it lands.

[0052] A gripping component for grasping climbing plants of the *Gynostemma pentaphyllum* type includes a first electric push rod 101 fixedly connected to the top of the drone 1. A connecting plate 102 is fixedly connected to the telescopic end of the first electric push rod 101. Two sets of clamping plates 103 are symmetrically and movably connected to the bottom of the connecting plate 102. Second electric push rods 104 are fixedly connected to both sides of the connecting plate 102. Two sets of first guide grooves are symmetrically opened at the bottom of the connecting plate 102. A first guide block 105 is slidably connected inside the first guide groove. The first guide block 105 is simultaneously fixedly connected to the clamping plate 103 on the same side and the telescopic end of the second electric push rod 104, which can ensure that the clamping plate 103 can move stably. A strip-shaped groove is equidistantly opened on one side of the clamping plate 103. A strip-shaped protrusion 106 is fixedly connected to the other side of the clamping plate 103 at the position corresponding to the strip-shaped groove, which can increase the gripping effect on climbing plants of the *Gynostemma pentaphyllum* type. The edges of the strip-shaped protrusion 106 are rounded.

[0053] A cutting assembly for cutting climbing plants of the *Gynostemma pentaphyllum* type. The cutting assembly includes two sets of symmetrically movably connected movable blocks 201 at the bottom of a drone 1. A first horizontal bar 202 is fixedly connected to one side of each movable block 201. A spring 203 is sleeved on the outside of the first horizontal bar 202, and one end of the spring 203 is fixedly connected to the movable block 201. Vertical bars 204 are movably connected to the lower parts of both sides of the drone 1. A first connecting rod 205 is symmetrically hinged between the vertical bar 204 and the first horizontal bar 202 on the same side via a hinge. A second horizontal bar 206 is movably arranged below the first horizontal bar 202. A second connecting rod 207 is symmetrically hinged between the second horizontal bar 206 and the vertical bar 204 on the same side via a hinge. A cutting blade 208 is fixedly connected to the end of the second horizontal bar 206. A connecting plate 1... Both sides of 02 are rotatably connected to rollers 209. Both sides of the drone 1 are fixedly connected to second guide members, and the second guide members are simultaneously slidably connected to the first horizontal bar 202 and the vertical bar 204 on the same side and fixedly connected to the other end of the spring 203. They can play a certain guiding role in the movement of the first horizontal bar 202 and the vertical bar 204. The top of the movable block 201 is fixedly connected to the second guide block 210. The bottom of the drone 1 is provided with a second guide groove corresponding to the position of the second guide block 210 and is slidably connected to the second guide block 210. It can play a certain guiding role in the movement of the movable block 201. One side of the movable block 201 is designed with a slope and contacts the surface of the roller 209 on the same side.

[0054] The implementation principle of the control device for climbing plants in this embodiment is as follows: First, the motor drives the propeller 3 to rotate to take off the drone. Then, the image acquisition device 2 collects images of plants on the ground to identify the *Gynostemma pentaphyllum* type climbing plant. After identifying the target plant, the first electric push rod 101 pushes the clamping plate 103 closer to it. Then, two sets of second electric push rods 104 simultaneously push the two sets of clamping plates 103 to move towards the center, so that the *Gynostemma pentaphyllum* type climbing plant can be clamped and grasped. Then, the first electric push rod 101 is reversed and retracted, driving the connecting plate 102 to rise, so that the *Gynostemma pentaphyllum* type climbing plant can be pulled, thus facilitating the removal of the *Gynostemma pentaphyllum* type climbing plant. This effectively avoids the problem of harming other plants when removing the target plant by spraying chemicals. The cooperation between the strip-shaped protrusions 106 and the strip-shaped grooves can increase the grip on the *Gynostemma pentaphyllum* type climbing plant. The gripping effect is achieved. At the same time, during the process of the first electric push rod 101 driving the connecting plate 102 to rise, the rising connecting plate 102 can also drive the roller 209 to move together. The roller 209 will roll on the inclined surface of the movable block 201 when it rises, so that the movable block 201 can be squeezed. After the movable block 201 is compressed, it will drive the first horizontal bar 202 to move. Utilizing the hinge between the first horizontal bar 202 and the vertical bar 204 and the first connecting rod 205, and the hinge between the vertical bar 204 and the second horizontal bar 206 and the second connecting rod 207, it can push the two sets of cutting blades 208 to move towards each other at the same time, so as to facilitate the cutting of the five-clawed golden dragon type climbing plant, thereby preventing the target object gripped by the device from being too heavy and affecting its stable operation. At this time, the spring 203 will be compressed. Finally, the gripped and cut five-clawed golden dragon type climbing plant can be placed in the designated position. At this time, the spring 203 will push the movable block 201 to automatically reset.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, an anti-slip pad is added to the bottom of the landing gear 4, which can improve the stability of the drone when it lands.

[0056] Example 2

[0057] In this embodiment, the force transmission component is a U-shaped hydraulic device, which includes a hydraulic pipe 501, an upper hydraulic rod 502 disposed on the upper side of the hydraulic pipe 501 and used to connect to the outside of the movable block 201, a lower hydraulic rod 503 disposed on the lower side of the hydraulic pipe 501 and used to connect to the outside of the cutting blade 208, and a fixing rod 504 disposed on the hydraulic pipe 501 and fixedly connected to the lower side of the UAV 1.

[0058] Hydraulic hose 501 is made of synthetic rubber or plastic, and the main function of the inner layer is to seal the hydraulic oil and prevent leakage.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment, the hydraulic tube 501 further includes a reinforcing layer composed of braided or wound high-strength fibers, such as steel wire, nylon, or other synthetic fibers, to enhance the strength of the tube and withstand high pressure. The design of the reinforcing layer ensures that the hydraulic tube can operate safely under high pressure and improves the shearing force of the cutting blade 208.

[0060] The upper hydraulic rod 502 and the lower hydraulic rod 503 are specifically structured as a piston and a piston rod, respectively. Each hydraulic rod includes a piston and a piston rod connected to it. The piston moves within a hydraulic cylinder, and the pressure applied by hydraulic oil pushes the piston rod to extend or retract. The piston rod is made of high-strength steel to ensure it can withstand high loads and frequent movements during operation.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment, various seals are installed on the upper hydraulic rod 502 and the lower hydraulic rod 503 to prevent hydraulic oil leakage and maintain system pressure. These seals are typically made of oil-resistant rubber or other synthetic materials, and are able to maintain good sealing performance under high pressure and high temperature.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment, the hydraulic rod has a connector at its end for connecting to other components.

[0063] Furthermore, the same or similar element symbols are used as far as possible in the accompanying drawings and description to refer to the same or similar parts or steps. The drawings are presented in a simplified form and are not drawn to scale. For convenience and clarity only, directional terms such as top, bottom, left, right, upward, above, above, below, behind, and front may be used to refer to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure in any way.

Claims

1. A control device for climbing plants, characterized in that, include: Unmanned aerial vehicle (1), an image acquisition device (2) is fixedly connected to the unmanned aerial vehicle (1); The gripping assembly includes a first electric push rod (101) fixedly connected to the top of the drone (1), a connecting plate (102) fixedly connected to the telescopic end of the first electric push rod (101), and a clamping plate assembly disposed at the bottom of the connecting plate (102). The cutting assembly includes two sets of movable blocks (201) symmetrically and movably connected to the bottom of the UAV (1), rollers (209) disposed on the connecting plate (102), a force transmission assembly disposed on the movable blocks (201), and a cutting blade (208) disposed on the force transmission assembly. The movable block (201) has an inclined surface on the side facing the roller (209), and the inclined surface contracts inward from bottom to top and contacts the surface of the roller (209). When the movable block (201) moves vertically upward, it is driven to move outward by the roller (209). The force transmission component transmits the outward movement of the movable block (201) to the cutting blade (208), causing the cutting blade (208) to move inward; The force transmission assembly includes a first horizontal bar (202) fixedly connected to the outside of the movable block (201), a spring (203) sleeved on the outside of the first horizontal bar (202) and fixedly connected at one end to the movable block (201), a vertical bar (204) located at the lower part of the UAV (1), a first connecting rod (205) hinged between the vertical bar (204) and the first horizontal bar (202) by a hinge, a second horizontal bar (206) located below the first horizontal bar (202), and a second horizontal bar (206) hinged between the second horizontal bar (206) and the vertical bar (201) by a hinge. 4) The second connecting rod (207) between; the end of the second crossbar (206) is fixedly connected to a cutting blade (208); the side of the UAV (1) is fixedly connected to a second guide member and the second guide member is slidably connected to the first crossbar (202) and the vertical rod (204), and the second guide member is fixedly connected to a spring (203); the bottom of the UAV (1) is fixedly connected to a landing bracket (4), the landing bracket (4) is fixedly connected to a first guide member and the first guide member is slidably connected to the second crossbar (206); or, The force transmission component is a U-shaped hydraulic device, which includes a hydraulic pipe (501), an upper hydraulic rod (502) disposed on the upper side of the hydraulic pipe (501) and used to connect to the outside of the movable block (201), a lower hydraulic rod (503) disposed on the lower side of the hydraulic pipe (501) and used to connect to the outside of the cutting blade (208), and a fixing rod (504) disposed on the hydraulic pipe (501) and fixedly connected to the lower side of the UAV (1). The clamping plate assembly includes two sets of clamping plates (103) movably connected to the bottom of the connecting plate (102), and a second electric push rod (104) for pushing the clamping plates (103) is fixedly connected to the connecting plate (102). The climbing plant is gripped and held by the clamping plate assembly, and the connecting plate is raised by the first electric push rod. When the connecting plate is raised by the first electric push rod, the rising of the connecting plate can also drive the roller to move together. When the roller rises, it will push the two sets of cutting blades to move in opposite directions simultaneously through the force transmission assembly, which is convenient for cutting the climbing plant that has been pulled.

2. The apparatus for controlling the plants of the genus Ampelopsis according to claim 1, wherein The bottom of the connecting plate (102) is symmetrically provided with a first guide groove, and a first guide block (105) is slidably connected inside the first guide groove. The first guide block (105) is simultaneously fixedly connected to the clamping plate (103) and the telescopic end of the second electric push rod (104).

3. The apparatus for controlling the plants of the genus Ampelopsis according to claim 1, wherein In the two sets of clamping plates (103), one clamping plate (103) is provided with strip-shaped grooves at equal intervals, and the other clamping plate (103) is provided with strip-shaped protrusions (106) at the positions corresponding to the strip-shaped grooves.

4. The apparatus for controlling the plants of the genus Ampelopsis according to claim 3, wherein The edges of the strip protrusion (106) are rounded.

5. The apparatus for controlling the plants of the genus Ampelopsis according to claim 1, wherein The top of the movable block (201) is fixedly connected to a second guide block (210), and the bottom of the drone (1) is provided with a second guide groove corresponding to the position of the second guide block (210) and is slidably connected to the second guide block (210).

6. The apparatus for controlling climbing plants according to claim 1, wherein The bottom of the landing gear (4) is provided with an anti-slip pad.