Pepper harvester and use method

Abstract

The invention discloses a pepper harvester and a using method, and relates to the technical field of agricultural machinery, the pepper harvester comprises a vehicle body, a walking mechanism, a lifting mechanism, a harvesting mechanism, a branch and leaf separating mechanism and an intelligent controller, the walking mechanism comprises a track assembly and a first driving part, and the track assembly drives the vehicle body to move; the harvesting mechanism is located in front of the vehicle body so as to harvest peppers from plants and obtain a first mixture formed by the peppers and branches and leaves. The branch and leaf separating mechanism comprises a first-stage branch and leaf separating mechanism and a second-stage branch and leaf separating mechanism, the first-stage branch and leaf separating mechanism is used for separating branches and leaves with large sizes, and the second-stage branch and leaf separating mechanism is used for separating the branches and leaves to obtain hot peppers; the intelligent controller is installed on the vehicle body and is in signal connection with the first driving part, the lifting mechanism, the harvesting mechanism, the first-stage branch and leaf separation mechanism and the second-stage branch and leaf separation mechanism. The pepper harvester is easy to operate, the terrain adaptability is effectively enhanced, the separation efficiency is effectively improved, and the harvesting efficiency is effectively improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of agricultural machinery, and in particular to a pepper harvester and a use method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Chili peppers are a traditional industry in my country. my country is a major producer and consumer of chili peppers. According to incomplete statistics, my country's total chili pepper production currently ranks first in the world, accounting for approximately 50% of global production, and is growing at a rate of 9% annually.

[0003] Traditional chili pepper harvesting requires a large number of farmers to manually pick the peppers, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Furthermore, with the current large-scale rural population loss, a shortage of agricultural workers, and an aging rural population, harvesting chili peppers over such a large area is difficult to achieve, severely limiting the expansion of chili pepper production.

[0004] At present, the pepper harvesters available on the market in my country require operators to sit on the machine to operate it, and they need to obtain an agricultural machinery driver's license, which has a high learning cost. The complex field terrain makes the vehicle difficult to drive, which can easily cause driver fatigue. Traditional pepper harvesters are not efficient in separating branches and leaves, which requires manual secondary separation. Traditional pepper harvesters are usually large and need to use a conveyor belt to transport the peppers after the branches and leaves are separated to the bucket of another vehicle. This means that the vehicles can only be used on flat and wide land and require two vehicles to operate simultaneously, resulting in two drivers having to work closely together, which increases the difficulty of harvesting and reduces the efficiency of harvesting.

[0005] Due to the undulating mountain terrain, pepper trees in different locations have different heights, which affects the harvesting efficiency. After raining, the land becomes muddy, causing the machinery to sink after entering the field, causing the harvesting device to touch the bottom and be damaged, reducing the harvesting efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a pepper harvester and a method of use to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art. It is simple to operate, effectively enhances the terrain adaptability, effectively improves the separation efficiency, and effectively improves the harvesting efficiency.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following solutions:

[0008] The present invention provides a pepper harvester, comprising: a vehicle body, a walking mechanism, a lifting mechanism, a harvesting mechanism, a branch and leaf separation mechanism and an intelligent controller, wherein the walking mechanism comprises a crawler assembly and a first driving member, the first driving member being mounted on the vehicle body, the crawler assembly being mounted on the bottom of the vehicle body to drive the vehicle body to move under the drive of the first driving member; the fixed end of the lifting mechanism is used to be fixedly connected to the vehicle body; the harvesting mechanism is connected to the lifting end of the lifting mechanism to rise or fall under the drive of the lifting mechanism, the harvesting mechanism is located in front of the vehicle body to harvest peppers from the plants and obtain a first mixture of peppers and branches and leaves; the branch and leaf separation mechanism comprises a primary branch and leaf separation mechanism, a secondary branch and leaf separation mechanism and a storage box, the primary branch and leaf separation mechanism is arranged at the rear end of the harvesting mechanism to receive the harvester The first mixture is harvested by the structure to separate the large branches and leaves therein and obtain a second mixture, the secondary branch and leaf separation mechanism is arranged below the primary branch and leaf separation mechanism to separate the branches and leaves in the second mixture and obtain peppers, and the storage box is arranged below the secondary branch and leaf separation mechanism to store the peppers; the intelligent controller is installed on the vehicle body and is connected to the first driving part, the lifting mechanism, the harvesting mechanism, the primary branch and leaf separation mechanism and the secondary branch and leaf separation mechanism by signal, the intelligent controller includes a remote control mode and an automatic mode, the remote control mode is that the operator sends instructions to the intelligent controller through the remote control, and the automatic mode is that the operator uses Beidou technology to plan work instructions for the intelligent controller, and the intelligent controller completes the pepper harvesting work according to the set instructions.

[0009] Preferably, the harvesting mechanism includes a bucket lifting assembly, a flexible square columnar auger, a second drive member, a gathering assembly and a front wheel, the bucket lifting assembly is installed at the telescopic end of the lifting mechanism, the flexible square columnar auger is installed above the bucket lifting assembly, the gathering assembly is installed at the bottom of the bucket lifting assembly, the second drive member is used to drive the flexible square columnar auger to work to harvest the peppers from the plants to the bucket lifting assembly, and the second drive member is used to drive the bucket lifting assembly to transfer the first mixture to the first branch and leaf separation mechanism, the front wheel is installed at the bottom end of the bucket lifting assembly, and the second drive member is electrically connected to the intelligent controller.

[0010] Preferably, the folding assembly includes a first stepper motor and a folding plate, the casing of the first stepper motor is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the bucket lifting assembly, and the output shaft of the first stepper motor is fixedly connected to the folding plate to drive the folding plate to rotate.

[0011] Preferably, it further comprises a forward-looking sensor and a camera, wherein the forward-looking sensor and the camera are arranged at the top end of the bucket lifting assembly and move toward the front of the vehicle body.

[0012] Preferably, the first-level branch and leaf separation mechanism includes a mounting frame, multiple rotating shafts, separation darts, transmission gears, intermediate gears and a second stepper motor. The mounting frame is detachably connected to the vehicle body, and each rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the mounting frame along a direction perpendicular to the travel direction of the vehicle body. The separation darts are provided on the rotating shafts. The transmission gear is fixedly connected to one end of the rotating shaft extending out of the mounting frame. The intermediate gear is rotatably connected to the mounting frame, and the transmission gear and the intermediate gear are alternately arranged in sequence and the adjacent transmission gears are meshed with the intermediate gears. The housing of the second stepper motor is fixedly connected to the mounting frame. The second stepper motor is located on the side of the mounting frame close to the bucket lifting assembly and its output shaft is transmission-connected to the transmission gear.

[0013] Preferably, the secondary branch and leaf separation mechanism includes a blower and an air duct, the storage box is arranged below the mounting frame, and an inclined plate is provided on the side of the storage box close to the harvesting mechanism, and ventilation holes are evenly provided on the inclined plate. The blower is installed on the vehicle body, one end of the air duct is connected and communicated with the output port of the blower, and the other end corresponds to the bottom of the inclined plate so that the wind generated by the blower can blow the branches and leaves in the second mixture away from the storage box through each of the ventilation holes.

[0014] Preferably, the lifting mechanism includes a first hydraulic drive component, a second hydraulic drive component, a first slide rail, a second slide rail, a first lifting rod, a second lifting rod and a connecting plate. The first hydraulic drive component, the second hydraulic drive component, the first slide rail and the second slide rail are all vertically installed on the vehicle body. The first lifting rod is slidingly connected to the first slide rail and is fixedly connected to the output end of the first hydraulic drive component. The second lifting rod is slidingly connected to the second slide rail and is fixedly connected to the output end of the second hydraulic drive component. The two ends of the connecting plate are fixedly connected to the first lifting rod and the second lifting rod respectively, and the connecting plate is fixedly connected to the bottom of the bucket lifting assembly.

[0015] Preferably, the first driving member includes a diesel engine and a differential, the track assembly includes a track, a support frame, a driving wheel and a plurality of driven wheels, the driving wheel and the plurality of driven wheels are rotatably connected to the support frame, the track passes around the driving and each driven wheel, the diesel engine is mounted on the vehicle body, and the diesel engine is connected to the driving wheel through the differential.

[0016] Preferably, the vehicle body includes a chassis, an engine compartment, a fan, a fuel tank, a bolt frame and a lock. A storage box placement station and a branch and leaf separation mechanism placement station are provided on the top of the chassis. A bolt is provided on one side of the storage box. After the storage box is placed in the storage box placement station, the bolt is plugged into the bolt frame to fix the storage box to the chassis. After the branch and leaf separation mechanism is slidably installed in the branch and leaf separation mechanism placement station, the lock is used to lock the branch and leaf separation mechanism to the branch and leaf separation mechanism placement station. The engine compartment is provided at the front end of the chassis to install the diesel engine. The fan is provided on one side of the engine compartment. The fuel tank is fixedly connected to the top of the chassis and is connected to the diesel engine.

[0017] The present invention also provides a method for using the pepper harvester as described in any one of the above items, comprising the following steps:

[0018] Select the operation mode. The automatic mode requires the operator to use Beidou technology to plan the work instructions for the intelligent controller in advance. The remote control mode requires the operator to send instructions to the intelligent controller via the remote control.

[0019] Control the lifting mechanism to adjust the height of the harvesting mechanism;

[0020] While controlling the movement of the walking mechanism, the flexible square column auger of the harvesting mechanism harvests the peppers from the plants. The materials form a first mixture and are conveyed to the first-level branch and leaf separation mechanism. The first-level branch and leaf separation mechanism separates the large branches and leaves in the first mixture to form a second mixture and conveys it downward to the second-level branch and leaf separation mechanism. The second-level branch and leaf separation mechanism blows the remaining branches and leaves in the second mixture away from the storage box.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has achieved the following technical effects:

[0022] The present invention provides a chili pepper harvester and its use method. Its overall structural design modularizes the harvester's functionality, facilitating the independent development, manufacturing, and maintenance of its components. The crawler track assembly adapts to complex terrain, such as mountainous and muddy terrain, improving the harvester's maneuverability. The intelligent controller's two modes allow the operator to remotely adjust operations for ease of use while also enabling efficient operation along a planned path through automated mode, reducing labor costs and improving operational efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a pepper harvester provided by the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of the harvesting mechanism in the pepper harvester provided by the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of the harvesting mechanism of the pepper harvester provided by the present invention as viewed from the back;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the lifting mechanism of the pepper harvester provided by the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic structural diagram of the vehicle body of the pepper harvester provided by the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 A side view of the body of the pepper harvester provided by the present invention;

[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic structural diagram of the branch and leaf separation mechanism in the pepper harvester provided by the present invention;

[0031] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the connection between the branch and leaf separation mechanism and the vehicle body of the pepper harvester provided by the present invention;

[0032] Figure 9 This is a schematic structural diagram of a crawler assembly in the traveling mechanism of the pepper harvester provided by the present invention;

[0033] Figure 10 This is a schematic structural diagram of a diesel engine in the traveling mechanism of the pepper harvester provided by the present invention;

[0034] In the figure: 1. Harvesting mechanism; 101. Drive shaft cover; 102. Engine; 103. First pulley; 104. Bearing; 105. Belt; 106. Double-layer pulley; 107. Drive shaft; 108. Second pulley; 109. Active rotating shaft; 110. Side plate; 111. Bucket lifting belt; 112. Front wheel frame; 113. Front wheel; 114. First stepper motor; 115. Flexible square column auger; 116. Auger front support; 117. Folding plate; 118. Forward sensor; 119. Camera; 120. Bevel gear; 121. Back plate; 122. Pillar; 3. Lifting mechanism; 301. Hydraulic cylinder; 302. First slide rail; 303. Connecting plate; 304. Hydraulic pump; 305. Motor; 306. Second lifting rod; 307. Oil inlet (outlet); 4. Vehicle body; 401. Branch and leaf separation mechanism placement station; 402. Lifting mechanism installation station; 404. Fan; 405. Engine compartment; 406. Chassis; 407. Fuel tank; 408. Bolt frame; 409. Lock; 410. Pulley; 7. Branch and leaf separation mechanism; 701. Separation dart; 702. Second stepper motor; 704. Slide plate; 705. Rotating shaft; 706. Intermediate gear; 707. Transmission gear; 708. Air duct; 709. Blower; 710. Mounting frame; 711. Storage box; 7111. Bolt; 9. Walking mechanism; 901. Track; 902. Connecting rod; 903. First driven wheel; 904. Second driven wheel; 905. Driving wheel; 906. Support frame; 907. Diesel engine; 908. Differential; 10. Intelligent controller DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a pepper harvester and a method of use to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art. It is simple to operate, effectively enhances the terrain adaptability, effectively improves the separation efficiency, and effectively improves the harvesting efficiency.

[0037] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0038] Example 1

[0039] The present invention provides a pepper harvester, comprising: a vehicle body 4, a walking mechanism 9, a lifting mechanism 3, a harvesting mechanism 1, a branch and leaf separation mechanism 7 and an intelligent controller 10, the walking mechanism 9 comprising a crawler assembly and a first driving member, the first driving member being mounted on the vehicle body 4, the crawler assembly being mounted on the bottom of the vehicle body 4 to drive the vehicle body 4 to move under the drive of the first driving member; the fixed end of the lifting mechanism 3 being used to be fixedly connected to the vehicle body 4; the harvesting mechanism 1 is connected to the lifting end of the lifting mechanism 3 to rise or fall under the drive of the lifting mechanism 3, the harvesting mechanism 1 is located in front of the vehicle body 4 to harvest peppers from the plants and obtain a first mixture of peppers and branches and leaves; the branch and leaf separation mechanism 7 comprises a primary branch and leaf separation mechanism, a secondary branch and leaf separation mechanism and a storage box 711, the primary branch and leaf separation mechanism being arranged at the rear end of the harvesting mechanism 1 to receive the first mixture harvested by the harvesting mechanism 1 for storage The harvester is equipped with a second branch and leaf separation mechanism, which separates the branches and leaves from the second mixture and obtains the peppers. A secondary branch and leaf separation mechanism is located below the primary branch and leaf separation mechanism to separate the branches and leaves from the second mixture and obtain the peppers. A storage box 711 is located below the secondary branch and leaf separation mechanism to store the peppers. An intelligent controller 10 is mounted on the vehicle body 4 and is signal-connected to the first drive member, the lifting mechanism 3, the harvesting mechanism 1, the primary branch and leaf separation mechanism, and the secondary branch and leaf separation mechanism. The intelligent controller 10 has a remote control mode and an automatic mode. In the remote control mode, the operator sends instructions to the intelligent controller 10 via a remote control. In the automatic mode, the operator uses Beidou technology to program the intelligent controller 10 with instructions, and the intelligent controller 10 automatically completes the pepper harvesting operation according to the set instructions. This overall structural design modularizes the functions of the pepper harvester, facilitating the independent development, manufacturing, and maintenance of each component. The track assembly can adapt to complex terrain such as mountains and muddy land, improving the harvester's maneuverability. The two modes of the intelligent controller 10 not only meet the operator's remote control needs for temporary adjustments, but also enable efficient operation according to the planned path through the automatic mode, reducing labor costs and improving work efficiency.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the harvesting mechanism 1 includes a bucket lifting assembly, a flexible square column auger 115, a second drive member, a folding assembly and a front wheel 113. The bucket lifting assembly includes a side plate, a back plate 121, a bucket lifting belt 110 side plate; 111, a driving shaft 109 and a driven shaft 705. The driving shaft 109 and the driven shaft 705 are respectively connected to the top and bottom ends of the side plates. The bucket lifting belt 110 side plate; 111 bypasses the driving shaft 109 and the driven shaft 705 and rotates under the drive of the driving shaft 109. The back plate 121 is connected to the lifting column 122 by the support column 122. The second driving member includes a transmission shaft cover 101, an engine 102, a first pulley 103, a belt 105, a double-layer pulley 106, a first pulley 108, and a transmission shaft 107. The transmission shaft cover 101 is fixedly connected to the top of the side plate, the casing of the engine 102 is fixedly connected to the transmission shaft cover 101, and the transmission shaft 107 is rotatably connected to the transmission shaft cover 101 through a bearing 104. The first pulley 103 is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the engine, the double-layer pulley 106 is fixedly connected to the transmission shaft 107, the first pulley 108 is fixedly connected to the active shaft 109, and the first pulley 109 is fixedly connected to the active shaft 109. The pulley 103 and the double-layer pulley 106 are connected by the belt 105 transmission, the double-layer pulley 106 is connected to the first pulley 103 by the belt 105 transmission, the flexible square column auger 115 is connected to the bottom of the back plate 121 through the auger front support 116, the top of the flexible square column auger 115 is provided with a bevel gear 120, the transmission shaft 107 is provided with a threaded section, the bevel gear 120 is connected to the threaded section to drive the flexible square column auger 115 to rotate, the front wheel 113 is connected to the bottom of the side plate through the front wheel frame 112, the engine is connected to the intelligent controller 10 electrical signal, the bucket lifting component It can effectively lift the harvested peppers and branches and leaves, and ensure smooth material transportation; compared with the traditional cylindrical auger, the flexible square column auger 115 can reduce the falling of peppers when the auger rotates, reduce the loss rate, and the flexible material can better adapt to different working conditions; the second drive member is driven by the multi-stage design of the belt 105, the structure is compact and stable, and can effectively transmit power; the setting of the front wheel 113 can protect the harvesting mechanism 1 from collision and improve the safety of the equipment in complex field environments; the engine is connected to the intelligent controller 10, which is convenient for controlling the engine working state to ensure the accuracy and efficiency of the harvesting operation.

[0041] In a preferred solution of this embodiment, the gathering component includes a first stepper motor 114 and a gathering plate 117. The casing of the first stepper motor 114 is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the back plate 121, and the output shaft of the first stepper motor 114 is fixedly connected to the gathering plate 117 to drive the gathering plate 117 to rotate. The gathering component can adjust the angle of the gathering plate 117 through the first stepper motor 114 according to the different spacing between pepper plants, so that the harvesting mechanism 1 can better adapt to pepper fields with various planting spacings, thereby improving the versatility and applicability of the equipment and avoiding the impact of plant spacing problems on harvesting efficiency.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the pepper harvester further includes a forward-looking sensor 118 and a camera 119. These sensors are mounted on the drive shaft cover 101 and face forward of the vehicle body 4. These sensors 118 and 119 monitor the conditions ahead of the vehicle body 4 in real time, assisting the operator or intelligent control system in identifying obstacles ahead, plant distribution, and other information. Based on the camera 119 image and sensor data, the operator can manually adjust the vehicle body 4's path and harvesting operations, or have the intelligent controller 10 automatically adjust the vehicle body 4's path and harvesting operations, thereby improving operational safety and accuracy.

[0043] In a preferred solution of this embodiment, the first-level branch and leaf separation mechanism includes a mounting frame 710, multiple rotating shafts 705, separation darts 701, a transmission gear 707, an intermediate gear 706 and a second stepper motor 702. The mounting frame 710 is detachably connected to the vehicle body 4, and each rotating shaft 705 is rotatably connected to the mounting frame 710. The rotating shaft 705 is provided with a separation dart 701. The transmission gear 707 is fixedly connected to one end of the rotating shaft 705 extending out of the mounting frame 710, and the intermediate gear 706 is rotatably connected to the mounting frame 710. The transmission gear 707 and the intermediate gear 706 are arranged alternately in sequence and the adjacent transmission gears 707 and 706 are arranged alternately in sequence. 07 is meshed with the intermediate gear 706, the housing of the second stepper motor 702 is fixedly connected to the mounting bracket 710, and the second stepper motor 702 is fixedly connected to the transmission gear 707 located on the side of the mounting bracket 710 close to the bucket lifting assembly. The detachable mounting bracket 710 facilitates the maintenance and replacement of components of the first-level branch and leaf separation mechanism; the multi-stage gear coordination enables each separation dart 701 to rotate stably and efficiently, and the staggered arrangement of multiple separation darts 701 can increase the separation efficiency of large branches and leaves, effectively separating large branches and leaves from the first mixture, reducing the burden on subsequent secondary separation, and improving the overall branch and leaf separation effect. In addition, the transmission gear 707 and the intermediate gear 706 are alternately arranged in sequence to ensure that the rotation direction of each separation dart 701 is the same.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the secondary branch and leaf separation mechanism includes a blower 709 and an air duct 708. A storage box 711 is disposed below the mounting frame 710. A slanted plate is provided on the side of the storage box 711 near the harvesting mechanism 1. The slanted plate is evenly distributed with ventilation holes. The blower 709 is mounted on the vehicle body 4. One end of the air duct 708 is connected to and communicates with the output port of the blower 709, and the other end is connected to the slanted plate so that the wind generated by the blower 709 blows the branches and leaves in the second mixture away from the storage box 711 through the ventilation holes. The blower 709 and air duct 708 cooperate with the ventilation holes on the slanted plate to further separate the remaining branches and leaves in the secondary mixture by wind force, thereby greatly improving the purity of the peppers. This design also prevents branches and leaves from mixing into the storage box 711 and affecting the quality of the peppers. At the same time, the slanted plate design helps the peppers naturally slide into the appropriate position in the storage box 711, improving the space utilization of the storage box 711.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment of this embodiment, the lifting mechanism includes a first hydraulic drive, a second hydraulic drive, a first slide rail 302, a second slide rail, a first lifting rod, a second lifting rod 306, and a connecting plate 303. The first hydraulic drive, the second hydraulic drive, the first slide rail 302, and the second slide rail are all mounted on the vehicle body 4. The first lifting rod is slidably connected to the first slide rail 302 and fixedly connected to the output end of the first hydraulic drive. The second lifting rod 306 is slidably connected to the second slide rail and fixedly connected to the output end of the second hydraulic drive. The ends of the connecting plate 303 are respectively fixedly connected to the first and second lifting rods 306, and the connecting plate 303 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the bucket lift assembly. This dual hydraulic drive and slide rail combined with the lifting rod structure makes the lifting action more stable and reliable, and can accurately adjust the height of the harvesting mechanism 1. The harvesting height can be quickly and flexibly adjusted according to the height differences of pepper trees in different mountainous areas, ensuring efficient harvesting while avoiding missed harvests or unnecessary damage to the plants due to height discomfort.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment of this embodiment, the first and second hydraulic drive components have the same structure. The first hydraulic drive component includes a hydraulic cylinder 301, a hydraulic pump 304, and a motor 305. The top and bottom of the hydraulic cylinder 301 are each provided with an oil inlet / outlet hole 307. The output rod of the hydraulic cylinder 301 is fixedly connected to a first or second lifting rod 306. The hydraulic pump 304 is connected and communicates with the oil inlet / outlet hole 307. The motor 305 drives the hydraulic pump 304. This unified hydraulic drive component structure facilitates the production, procurement, and maintenance of components. The motor 305 drives the hydraulic pump 304, providing stable pressure to the hydraulic cylinder 301. The oil inlet / outlet hole 307 precisely controls the extension and retraction of the output rod of the hydraulic cylinder 301, ensuring stable and accurate operation of the lifting mechanism 3 and helping to maintain the normal operation of the pepper harvester over the long term.

[0047] In a preferred solution of this embodiment, the first driving member includes a diesel engine 907 and a differential 908, the track assembly includes a track 901, a support frame 906, a driving wheel 905 and multiple driven wheels, the driving wheel 905 and the multiple driven wheels are all rotatably connected to the support frame 906, the driven wheels are divided into a first driven wheel 903 and a second driven wheel 904, the first driven wheel is connected to the support frame 906 through a connecting rod 902, and the connecting rod 902 is a telescopic rod. The track 901 bypasses the driving and driven wheels, and the diesel engine 907 is installed on the vehicle body 4. The diesel engine 907 is connected to the driving wheel 905 through the differential 908. The diesel engine 907 can provide strong power to meet the needs of the track assembly to drive the vehicle body 4 to move and other components to work together. The differential 908 enables the driving wheel 905 to reasonably distribute power to the driven wheel under different road conditions, ensuring balanced driving of the track 901, preventing the track 901 from slipping or uneven wear, and improving the service life of the track assembly and the vehicle's passability on complex terrain.

[0048] In a preferred solution of this embodiment, the vehicle body 4 includes a chassis 406, an engine compartment 405, a fan 404, a fuel tank 407, a bolt frame 408 and a lock 409. The top of the chassis 406 is provided with a storage box 711 placement station, a branch and leaf separation mechanism placement station 401 and a lifting mechanism installation station 402. A bolt 7111 is provided on one side of the storage box 711. After the storage box 711 is placed in the storage box 711 placement station, the bolt 7111 is plugged into the bolt frame 408 to fix the storage box 711 to the chassis 406. The branch and leaf separation mechanism 7 is slidably installed on the storage box 711. After the branch and leaf separation mechanism is placed at the station 401, the lock 409 is used to lock the branch and leaf separation mechanism 7 at the branch and leaf separation mechanism placement station 401. The lifting mechanism installation station 402 is used to install the lifting mechanism 3. The engine compartment 405 is set at the front end of the chassis 406 to install the diesel engine 907. The fan 404 is set on one side of the engine compartment 405. The fuel tank 407 is fixedly connected to the top of the chassis 406 and connected to the diesel engine 907. The specially set placement station and the corresponding fixing method ensure that the storage box 711 and the branch and leaf separation mechanism 7 are firmly installed. At the same time, it is convenient for loading and unloading, cleaning and replacement of the storage box 711 and the installation, maintenance and inspection of the branch and leaf separation mechanism 7. The reasonable layout of the engine compartment 405 is conducive to engine installation and heat dissipation. The fan 404 can assist in cooling the engine. The fuel tank 407 is connected to the diesel engine 907 and can supply it with oil in time to ensure continuous and stable operation of the equipment.

[0049] In a preferred solution of this embodiment, the chassis 406 is provided with a pulley 410 at the branch and leaf separation mechanism placement station 401, and the branch and leaf separation mechanism 7 is provided with a slide 704. The slide 704 slides on the pulley 410 to realize the installation and disassembly of the branch and leaf separation mechanism 7. The design of the pulley 410 and the slide 704 greatly simplifies the installation and disassembly process of the branch and leaf separation mechanism 7, reduces the difficulty and time consumption of manual operation, and when the branch and leaf separation mechanism 7 needs to be internally repaired and maintained or parts are replaced, it can be quickly removed and installed from the vehicle body 4, thereby improving the maintenance efficiency of the equipment.

[0050] Example 2

[0051] This embodiment provides a method for using the pepper harvester according to the first embodiment, comprising the following steps:

[0052] Preparation before use

[0053] Inspect all vehicle components: Thoroughly inspect all vehicle body components 4, ensuring that the latch 409 is locked in place on the branch separator 7 and that the plug 7111 is securely fastened to the storage box 711. Check the fuel tank 407 for sufficient oil and proper connection to the diesel engine 907. Verify that the fan 404 is functioning properly to ensure proper cooling from the engine compartment 405. Additionally, check the track assembly for secure connections and any damage or abnormal wear to the support frame 906, driving wheel 905, driven wheel, and track 901. Verify that the diesel engine 907 and differential 908 of the traveling mechanism 9 are properly connected and functioning properly.

[0054] Check the hydraulic system: For the lifting mechanism, check the hydraulic cylinder 301, hydraulic pump 304, and motor 305 of the first and second hydraulic drive components to ensure they are functioning properly. Check the oil inlet / outlet holes 307 to ensure they are unobstructed, the hydraulic pump 304 is tightly connected to the oil inlet / outlet holes 307, and whether the motor 305 can properly drive the hydraulic pump 304 to ensure stable and accurate operation of the lifting mechanism 3.

[0055] Inspect the harvesting and separating mechanisms: Check all components of the harvesting mechanism 1, including the side panels and back panel 121 of the bucket elevator assembly, and the side panels of the bucket elevator belt 110; 111 and its shaft 705 are securely connected. Check the secondary drive shaft cover 101, the engine, the belt pulley 105, and the belt 105 transmission for proper operation. Check the connection between the flexible square column auger 115 and the auger front support 116, and ensure proper transmission between the bevel gear 120 and the threaded section of the drive shaft 107. Also, check the mounting bracket 710 of the primary branch and leaf separation mechanism for proper connection to the vehicle body 4, and the proper connection and operation of the shaft 705, separation darts 701, transmission gear 707, intermediate gear 706, and motor 305. For the secondary branch and leaf separation mechanism, ensure the blower 709 is securely installed, the air duct 708 is tightly connected, and the ventilation holes on the inclined plate are unobstructed. Also inspect the gathering assembly, confirming the proper rotation of the gathering plate 117 by operating the first stepper motor 114.

[0056] Check the intelligent controller 10 and sensors to ensure proper signal connections between the intelligent controller 10 and the first drive element, the lifting mechanism 3, the harvesting mechanism 1, the primary branch and leaf separation mechanism, and the secondary branch and leaf separation mechanism. Turn on the forward-looking sensor 118 and camera 119 to verify that they can monitor the vehicle 4 in real time.

[0057] Job Operation

[0058] Select the operation mode

[0059] Automatic mode: The operator uses Beidou technology to pre-program the intelligent controller 10 with instructions, including the route and harvesting area. The intelligent controller 10 then automatically controls the vehicle and coordinates with various mechanisms to complete the pepper harvest. During automatic operation, operators must monitor the equipment's operating status and adjust instructions based on actual conditions via the intelligent controller 10.

[0060] Remote control mode: The operator sends commands to the intelligent controller 10 via a remote control. Based on the forward-facing information from the vehicle 4, as monitored by the forward-facing sensor 118 and camera 119, the vehicle 4's path and harvesting operations can be flexibly adjusted. For example, if an obstacle is encountered, the vehicle 4 can be directed to circumvent it. If uneven plant distribution is detected or the harvesting range needs to be temporarily adjusted, the vehicle can be remotely controlled to reach the appropriate location and perform harvesting operations.

[0061] Adjusting the Equipment Height: After starting the equipment, if the pepper trees in the operating area are at different heights, the height of the harvesting mechanism 1 is adjusted using the first and second hydraulic actuators of the lifting mechanism. Operating the hydraulic system causes the first and second lifting rods 306 to slide on the rails, driving the connecting plate 303 and the bucket-type lifting assembly connected to it to rise or fall, ensuring that the harvesting mechanism 1 is at the appropriate height for efficient harvesting, avoiding missed harvests or unnecessary damage to the plants.

[0062] Field operation: After the harvester moves to the appropriate position in the field, the engine of the second drive element is started through the intelligent controller 10. The engine drives the belt 105, causing the drive shaft 107 to rotate, thereby rotating the bucket elevator 110 side plate 111 and the flexible square column auger 115. According to the spacing between the pepper plants, the first stepper motor 114 is used to adjust the angle of the gathering plate 117, allowing the harvesting mechanism 1 to better adapt to different planting spacings and improve harvesting efficiency. During harvesting, the flexible square column auger 115 harvests the peppers from the plants, and the materials form a first mixture that enters the bucket elevator 110 side plate 111, and the bucket elevator 110 side plate 111 is smoothly transported to the first branch and leaf separation mechanism.

[0063] Branch and Leaf Separation: The second stepper motor 702 in the primary branch and leaf separation mechanism drives the transmission gear 707 and intermediate gear 706, causing the separation darts 701 on each shaft 705 to rotate stably and efficiently. The staggered arrangement of the separation darts 701 separates the larger branches and leaves in the first mixture, forming a second mixture that is transported downward to the secondary branch and leaf separation mechanism. The blower 709 in the secondary branch and leaf separation mechanism operates, blowing air through the air duct 708 and out of the ventilation holes on the inclined plate, blowing the remaining branches and leaves in the second mixture away from the storage box 711, ensuring the purity of the peppers that enter the storage box 711.

[0064] End of work and maintenance

[0065] End of Work: After completing the work, first shut down the power sources of all mechanisms, such as the engine and motor 305. Then, drive the vehicle 4 away from the work area and park it in a suitable location. If using remote control mode, shut down the remote control and intelligent controller 10. If using automatic mode, cancel the planning instructions and shut down the intelligent controller 10.

[0066] Equipment Cleaning and Maintenance: If the branch and leaf separator 7 requires internal repairs or component replacement, the pulley 410 and slide 704 on the chassis 406 allow for quick removal of the branch and leaf separator 7 from the vehicle body 4. Clean the components of the separation assembly to remove accumulated impurities such as peppers and branches, inspect components for wear, and repair or replace as necessary. The removable primary branch and leaf separator mounting bracket 710 should be thoroughly cleaned and inspected after removal to ensure proper function upon reinstallation.

[0067] Equipment Storage: Regularly check the secure connections of the vehicle body 4, such as the secure connection between the storage box 711, the latch 7111, and the latch frame 408, and the lock 409 of the branch and leaf separator 7. Also, check the travel mechanism 9, the lifting mechanism 3, and other components to ensure they are in good working order. Finally, store the equipment properly for future use.

[0068] The present invention uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present invention. The above examples are only intended to help understand the method and core concept of the present invention. At the same time, those skilled in the art will find that the specific implementation methods and application scopes may vary based on the concept of the present invention. In summary, the contents of this specification should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

Claims

1. A pepper harvester, characterized by: include: Car body (4), A walking mechanism (9), the walking mechanism (9) comprising a crawler assembly and a first driving member, the first driving member being mounted on the vehicle body (4), the crawler assembly being mounted on the bottom of the vehicle body (4) to drive the vehicle body (4) to move under the drive of the first driving member; A lifting mechanism (3), wherein a fixed end of the lifting mechanism (3) is fixedly connected to the vehicle body (4); A harvesting mechanism (1), the harvesting mechanism (1) being connected to the lifting end of the lifting mechanism (3) so as to rise or fall under the drive of the lifting mechanism (3), the harvesting mechanism (1) being located in front of the vehicle body (4) so as to harvest peppers from the plants and obtain a first mixture of peppers and branches and leaves; A branch and leaf separation mechanism (7), the branch and leaf separation mechanism (7) comprising a primary branch and leaf separation mechanism, a secondary branch and leaf separation mechanism and a storage box (711), the primary branch and leaf separation mechanism being arranged at the rear end of the harvesting mechanism (1) to receive the first mixture harvested by the harvesting mechanism (1) to separate the branches and leaves with a large volume therein and obtain a second mixture, the secondary branch and leaf separation mechanism being arranged below the primary branch and leaf separation mechanism to separate the branches and leaves in the second mixture and obtain peppers, and the storage box (711) being arranged below the secondary branch and leaf separation mechanism to store the peppers; as well as An intelligent controller (10) is installed on the vehicle body (4) and is signal-connected to the first driving member, the lifting mechanism (3), the harvesting mechanism (1), the first-level branch and leaf separation mechanism, and the second-level branch and leaf separation mechanism. The intelligent controller (10) includes a remote control mode and an automatic mode. The remote control mode is to send instructions to the intelligent controller (10) through a remote controller. The automatic mode is to use Beidou technology to plan work instructions for the intelligent controller (10). The intelligent controller (10) completes the pepper harvesting work according to the set instructions.

2. The pepper harvester according to claim 1, characterized in that: The harvesting mechanism (1) includes a bucket lifting assembly, a flexible square columnar auger (115), a second driving member, a folding assembly and a front wheel (113), wherein the bucket lifting assembly is arranged obliquely and mounted on the telescopic end of the lifting mechanism (3), the flexible square columnar auger (115) is mounted above the bucket lifting assembly, and the folding assembly is mounted on the bottom of the bucket lifting assembly, the second driving member is used to drive the flexible square columnar auger (115) to work so as to harvest peppers from the plant to the bucket lifting assembly, and the second driving member is used to drive the bucket lifting assembly to transfer the first mixture to the first-level branch and leaf separation mechanism, the front wheel (113) is mounted on the bottom end of the bucket lifting assembly, and the second driving member is connected to the intelligent controller (10) via an electrical signal.

3. The pepper harvester according to claim 2, characterized in that: The folding assembly includes a first stepper motor (114) and a folding plate (117), the housing of the first stepper motor (114) is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the bucket lifting assembly, and the output shaft of the first stepper motor (114) is fixedly connected to the folding plate (117) to drive the folding plate (117) to rotate.

4. The pepper harvester according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a forward-looking sensor (118) and a camera (119), wherein the forward-looking sensor (118) and the camera (119) are arranged at the top end of the bucket-type lifting assembly and move toward the front of the vehicle body (4).

5. The pepper harvester according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first-level branch and leaf separation mechanism includes a mounting frame (710), a plurality of rotating shafts (705), a separation dart (701), a transmission gear (707), an intermediate gear (706) and a first stepper motor (702); the mounting frame (710) is detachably connected to the vehicle body (4); each of the rotating shafts (705) is connected to the mounting frame (710) in a rotational direction perpendicular to the travel direction of the vehicle body (4); the separation dart (701) is provided on each of the rotating shafts (705); the transmission gear (707) and the rotating shaft (705) extend out of the mounting frame; One end of (710) is fixedly connected, the intermediate gear (706) is rotationally connected to the mounting frame (710), and the transmission gear (707) and the intermediate gear (706) are arranged alternately in sequence and the adjacent transmission gears (707) are meshed and connected with the intermediate gear (706), the housing of the first stepper motor (702) is fixedly connected to the mounting frame (710), the first stepper motor (702) is located on the side of the mounting frame (710) close to the bucket lifting assembly and its output shaft is transmission-connected to the transmission gear (707).

6. The pepper harvester according to claim 5, characterized in that: The secondary branch and leaf separation mechanism includes a blower (709) and an air duct (708), the storage box (711) is arranged below the mounting frame (710), and a slanted plate is provided on the side of the storage box (711) close to the harvesting mechanism (1), and ventilation holes are evenly provided on the slanted plate. The blower (709) is installed on the vehicle body (4), one end of the air duct (708) is connected and communicated with the output port of the blower (709), and the other end corresponds to the bottom of the slanted plate so that the wind generated by the blower (709) blows the branches and leaves in the second mixture away from the storage box (711) through each of the ventilation holes.

7. The pepper harvester according to claim 6, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism includes a first hydraulic drive component, a second hydraulic drive component, a first slide rail (302), a second slide rail, a first lifting rod, a second lifting rod (306) and a connecting plate (303); the first hydraulic drive component, the second hydraulic drive component, the first slide rail (302) and the second slide rail are all vertically installed on the vehicle body (4); the first lifting rod is slidably connected to the first slide rail (302) and is fixedly connected to the output end of the first hydraulic drive component; the second lifting rod (306) is slidably connected to the second slide rail and is fixedly connected to the output end of the second hydraulic drive component; the two ends of the connecting plate (303) are respectively fixedly connected to the first lifting rod and the second lifting rod (306), and the connecting plate (303) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the bucket lifting assembly.

8. The pepper harvester according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first driving member includes a diesel engine (907) and a differential (908); the track assembly includes a track (901), a support frame (906), a driving wheel (905) and a plurality of driven wheels; the driving wheel (905) and the plurality of driven wheels are all rotatably connected to the support frame (906); the track (901) passes around the driving wheel and each of the driven wheels; the diesel engine (907) is mounted on the vehicle body (4); and the diesel engine (907) is transmission-connected to the driving wheel (905) via the differential (908).

9. The pepper harvester according to claim 8, characterized in that: The vehicle body (4) includes a chassis (406), an engine compartment (405), a fan (404), a fuel tank (407), a bolt frame (408) and a lock (409). The top of the chassis (406) is provided with a storage box placement station and a branch and leaf separation mechanism placement station. A bolt (7111) is provided on one side of the storage box (711). After the storage box (711) is placed in the storage box placement station, the bolt (7111) is plugged into the bolt frame (408) to connect the storage box (711) to the chassis (406). ) is fixed, the branch and leaf separation mechanism (7) is slidably installed on the branch and leaf separation mechanism placement station, and the lock (409) is used to lock the branch and leaf separation mechanism (7) on the branch and leaf separation mechanism (7) placement station, the engine compartment (405) is arranged at the front end of the chassis (406) to install the diesel engine (907), the fan (404) is arranged on one side of the engine compartment (405), and the fuel tank (407) is fixedly connected to the top of the chassis (406) and is connected to the diesel engine (907).

10. A method for using the pepper harvester according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Select an operation mode. The automatic mode requires the operator to use Beidou technology to plan work instructions for the intelligent controller (10) in advance. The remote control mode requires the operator to send instructions to the intelligent controller (10) through a remote control. Controlling the lifting mechanism (3) to adjust the height of the harvesting mechanism (1); While controlling the movement of the walking mechanism (9), the flexible square columnar auger (115) of the harvesting mechanism (1) harvests the peppers from the plants, and the materials form a first mixture and are transported to a first-level branch and leaf separation mechanism. The first-level branch and leaf separation mechanism separates the branches and leaves with large volume in the first mixture to form a second mixture and transports it downward to a second-level branch and leaf separation mechanism. The second-level branch and leaf separation mechanism blows the remaining branches and leaves in the second mixture away from the storage box (711).

Images