High-altitude branch pruning device

Abstract

The invention discloses a high-altitude branch pruning device, which belongs to the technical field of gardening tools, and comprises a pruning head assembly integrated with a first knife edge, a second knife edge and a third knife edge, a shell internally provided with a dual-motor driving mechanism, and a detachable extension rod assembly. The first knife edge adopts a reciprocating saw blade for cutting large branches, the second knife edge is an arc-shaped knife edge for cutting small branches, and the third knife edge adopts a horizontal reciprocating saw blade for cutting medium branches. The extension rod assembly can achieve high-altitude operation, a micro camera and a multimedia clamping jaw are arranged on the extension rod assembly, a real-time observation system is formed, and an operator can clearly observe on the ground and accurately control pruning. Multiple cutting functions are integrated, operation is labor-saving, safety and reliability are achieved, and the problems that in the prior art, a tool is single in function, poor in high-altitude operation precision and high in risk are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of garden tools technology, specifically a high-altitude tree branch pruning device. Background Technology

[0002] Trees are often found near the State Grid's high-voltage lines. As the trees grow tall and their branches become lush, they can easily cover and compress cables, switches, transformers, and other electrical equipment, causing the cables to break due to excessive stress. Furthermore, because the environment near the branches is often damp, the dense branches can easily cause single-phase grounding and phase-to-phase short circuits, leading to damage to the lines and equipment. Therefore, pruning branches near high-voltage lines and electrical equipment is a task that relevant personnel must perform regularly.

[0003] Current high-altitude tree branch trimming tools have the following drawbacks: 1. Traditional long-handled pruning shears are typically mechanical, relying on manual pulling of a rope to close the pruning cut. For thicker branches, this requires considerable physical strength, and the shearing force is limited, making it difficult to cut the branch in one go, easily causing branch tearing or tool jamming. Furthermore, the operator has difficulty accurately judging the pruning cut position from the ground, resulting in poor pruning precision. 2. Existing aerial pruning tools have limited functionality. For example, high-pole shears are only suitable for thinner branches, while being ineffective for slightly thicker branches; if saw-like tools are required, it often necessitates changing the device or having the aerial worker carry multiple tools, making operation cumbersome and increasing the difficulty and risk of the operation.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field for a tree branch pruning device that integrates multiple cutting methods, is easy to operate, safe and reliable, and can achieve precise high-altitude operations, in order to overcome the above-mentioned defects of the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a high-altitude tree branch pruning device, which at least solves the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A high-altitude tree branch trimming device, comprising: A trimming head assembly integrates at least three different cutting actuators, the at least three different cutting actuators including a first blade, a second blade and a third blade; The housing contains a drive mechanism for driving the cutting actuator. A control component, disposed on the housing, is used to control the drive mechanism; An extension rod assembly, detachably connected to the housing, is used to extend the trimmer head assembly to a high-altitude working position; The first cutting edge includes a sandwich structure consisting of an outer side plate and an inner side plate, and a reciprocating saw blade disposed in the sandwich structure, forming a first cutting mechanism for cutting large tree branches. The second blade is an arc-shaped blade located on the back of the outer side plate, which together with the area on the back of the outer side plate of the first blade forms a second cutting mechanism for cutting small branches; The third cutting edge is a horizontally reciprocating saw blade, and its toothed end and the back of the second cutting edge form a third cutting mechanism for cutting medium-sized branches.

[0007] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the inner side plate of the first cutting edge is provided with sliding grooves on both sides, and one end of the saw blade is slidably connected to the sliding groove by a limiting post and the other end is slidably connected to the sliding groove by a fixing nut.

[0008] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the first cutting edge, the second cutting edge, and the third cutting edge are integrated and fixed on a non-standard metal plate. The lower end protrusion of the non-standard metal plate is provided with a moving groove, and the rear end of the saw blade of the third cutting edge is slidably connected to the inside of the moving groove by a fixing bolt.

[0009] As a further aspect of the present invention, the driving mechanism within the housing includes: The output of the drive motor is connected to the speed-changing gear via a transmission assembly. A rotating gear meshes with the speed-changing gear, and an eccentrically positioned lever is provided at the middle position of the rotating gear; A connecting rod, one end of which is movably connected to the lever, and the other end of which is connected to the saw blade of the first cutting edge; The rotational motion of the drive motor is converted into the eccentric rotation of the lever through the transmission assembly, speed-changing gear and rotating gear, and then drives the saw blade to reciprocate through the connecting rod.

[0010] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the driving mechanism further includes a stepper motor, the front end of which is provided with a push rod capable of reciprocating back and forth. The push rod is connected to the end of the saw blade of the third cutting edge through at least two connecting rods to drive the saw blade to reciprocate horizontally.

[0011] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the extension rod assembly includes a base rod, a telescopic rod, and a plug rod connected in sequence; Slots are provided on both sides of the surface of the insertion rod; The rear end of the housing is provided with a connection port, and strip plates are provided on both sides of the connection port; The strip plate can be inserted into the slot of the insert rod to achieve a mechanical connection between the housing and the extension rod assembly.

[0012] As a further embodiment of the present invention, metal contacts are provided inside the connection port and on the surface of the insertion rod. When the strip plate is inserted into the slot to complete the mechanical connection, the metal contacts of the connection port contact the metal contacts of the insertion rod, thereby connecting the control circuit in the extension rod assembly with the motor start-stop circuit in the housing.

[0013] As a further embodiment of the present invention, a gripping hole is provided at the lower end of the bottom rod, and an operation button is provided at the lower end of the gripping hole. The operation button can be pressed to control the operation of the motor inside the housing.

[0014] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the extension rod assembly is further provided with an observation system, the observation system comprising: A miniature camera is fixed near the trimmer head assembly by a support rod; a multimedia gripper is mounted on the base rod for holding a video output device. The miniature camera can transmit the images it captures to the video output device to enable real-time observation of the high-altitude pruning situation.

[0015] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the support rod is fixed to a connecting ring, and the connecting ring is sleeved on the upper end of the telescopic rod; the multimedia gripper is disposed on a fixing ring, and the fixing ring is sleeved on the outside of the bottom rod.

[0016] As another aspect of the invention, the high-altitude tree branch pruning device also includes an independent lifting assembly for performing circumferential, height-adjustable pruning operations on tall and robust trees. The lifting assembly comprises two symmetrically arranged semi-circular lifting arms, each with a standard interface on its outer arc surface for detachably connecting to the pruning head assembly. The ends of the lifting arms are connected via an adjustable connector, which allows adjustment of the distance between the starting ends of the two lifting arms via a sliding telescopic structure, enabling the entire lifting assembly to adapt to tree trunks of different diameters. A fixed bracket is provided on the other side of the lifting arms; when the two lifting arms encircle the tree trunk, they can be securely locked in place by bolts passing through the fixed bracket to prevent loosening during operation.

[0017] As a further embodiment of the invention, the lifting arm has a hollow internal structure, housing a power supply assembly and multiple independent motors that provide power for lifting. Multiple guide wheel assemblies are arranged along the inner arc surface of the lifting arm. Each guide wheel assembly includes a ratchet wheel made of a high-friction material and its drive shaft, driven by a corresponding motor. When the motor operates, it drives the ratchet wheel to rotate on the tree trunk surface, thereby causing the entire lifting device and the pruning head assembly mounted on it to smoothly rise or fall along the tree trunk.

[0018] As a further aspect of the invention, the surface of the lifting arm is also equipped with a control system. The operator can send commands to the control system via a wireless remote control to remotely control the lifting arm's raising and lowering movements, precise hovering, and, after installing the trimming head assembly, remotely control the opening, closing, and switching of each blade. This design allows the operator to safely and efficiently complete the trimming of tall trees entirely on the ground.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. In use, this invention integrates three complementary cutting actuators (first, second, and third blades) into a compact pruning head assembly. The operator, after determining the branch size via a ground-based observation system, can immediately select the most suitable blade for operation without interrupting the process. For example, when encountering thick branches, the reciprocating saw blade of the first blade is activated for powerful sawing; for medium-sized branches, the horizontal saw blade of the third blade is driven; and when clearing thin branches and shoots, the curved cutting edge of the second blade is used directly for cutting. This eliminates the need for frequent equipment raising and lowering or tool changing in traditional high-altitude pruning operations, which require adjusting the equipment based on branch thickness.

[0020] 2. In use, this invention employs a built-in motor drive. The first cutting edge utilizes a "rotation-reciprocating" conversion mechanism (drive motor → gear set → eccentric lever → connecting rod) to convert the high-speed rotation of the motor into high-frequency, long-stroke reciprocating motion of the saw blade, thereby generating enormous cutting kinetic energy. The third cutting edge uses a stepper motor in conjunction with a push rod linkage mechanism to achieve precise and stable horizontal reciprocating motion of the saw blade. This is suitable for scenarios requiring control of the cutting path, replacing traditional mechanical transmissions that rely on manual labor. The electric drive provides continuous and powerful cutting force, easily and quickly cutting through hard or thick branches that traditional tools struggle to handle.

[0021] 3. When using this invention, an integrated wireless observation system is used. A miniature camera fixed near the pruning head transmits real-time images of the blade's working area wirelessly to a smart terminal screen held by the operator on the ground or fixed to the pole. The operator's line of sight is "synchronized" with the blade, allowing clear observation of the branch's position, the contact between the blade and the branch, and the cutting process. This upgrades aerial pruning from the traditional "blind pruning based on feeling and experience" mode to a "visualized and targeted" precision operation mode. It avoids accidental damage to non-target branches, ensures a smooth cut surface, and facilitates tree healing. The operator does not need to look up for extended periods and can focus on the ground screen, effectively avoiding neck fatigue and safety risks from falling objects. It also allows for prediction of the branch's falling direction and path, further ensuring the safety of personnel and property below.

[0022] 4. In use, this invention enables the pruning of tall trees with thick branches through a lifting assembly. The lifting assembly can encircle the tree trunk and rise and fall along the trunk via guide wheel assemblies, allowing the pruning head assembly to reach different heights for operation. The wireless control system allows the operator to remotely control the lifting and pruning from the ground, improving work efficiency and safety. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the pruning component of a high-altitude tree branch pruning device.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the split rear structure of the pruning component of a high-altitude tree pruning device.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the blade head portion of a pruning assembly in a high-altitude tree branch pruning device.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the back structure of the blade section of a pruning component in a high-altitude tree pruning device.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the extension rod of a high-altitude tree branch trimming device.

[0028] Figure 6 A high-altitude tree branch trimming device Figure 5 A magnified structural diagram of point A in the middle.

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the lifting assembly of a high-altitude tree branch trimming device.

[0030] Figure 8 This is a structural schematic diagram of the connecting component of a lifting assembly for a high-altitude tree branch trimming device.

[0031] In the diagram: 1. First cutting edge; 101. Outer side plate; 102. Inner side plate; 1021. Slide groove; 1022. Limiting post; 103. Saw blade; 2. Second cutting edge; 201. Curved cutting edge; 3. Third cutting edge; 301. Saw blade; 302. Fixing bolt; 4. Housing; 401. Rectangular hole; 402. Connection port; 403. Strip plate; 404. Battery compartment; 5. Control components; 501. Switch; 6. Irregular metal plate; 61. Moving groove; 7. Drive motor; 71. Transmission assembly; 72. Speed-changing gear; 73. Rotating gear; 74. Lever; 75. Connecting rod; 8. Stepper motor; 81. Push rod; 82. Connecting rod; 9. Base rod; 91. Grip hole; 92. Operating button; 10. Fixing ring; 11. Multimedia gripper; 12. Telescopic pole; 13. Connecting ring; 1301. Support rod; 14. Insert rod; 1401. Slot; 1402. Metal contact; 15. Miniature camera; 16. Lifting arm; 1601. Connecting hole; 1602. Fixing bracket; 17. Power supply components; 18. Control system; 19. Guide wheel assembly; 1901. Ratchet; 1902. Drive shaft; 20. Connecting column; 21. Connecting plate; 2101. Telescopic plate; 2102. Fixing nut. Detailed Implementation

[0032] This invention provides a high-altitude tree branch pruning device.

[0033] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] Please see Figure 1-6 The present invention provides a high-altitude tree branch pruning device, comprising: The trimming head assembly integrates at least three different cutting actuators, the at least three different cutting actuators including a first blade 1, a second blade 2 and a third blade 3; The housing 4 contains a drive mechanism for driving the cutting actuator. Control component 5, mounted on housing 4, is used to control the drive mechanism; The extension rod assembly is detachably connected to the housing 4 for extending the trimmer head assembly to a high-altitude working position; The first cutting edge 1 includes a sandwich structure consisting of an outer side plate 101 and an inner side plate 102, and a reciprocating saw blade 103 disposed in the sandwich structure, forming a first cutting mechanism for cutting large tree branches. The first cutting edge 1 is designed as a heavy-duty cutting unit for handling large branches. It employs a sandwich structure consisting of an outer and an inner plate, with a high-speed reciprocating saw blade in the middle. The front end of the outer plate is designed with barbs, which can be used to pull branches, and its back is also sharpened. The saw blade and the barbs of the outer plate form a highly efficient angled cutting edge for powerful sawing.

[0035] The outer side plate 101 is made of high-strength alloy steel, with a barbed front end to hook onto branches during cutting and prevent slippage. Its back edge is finely sharpened. The inner side plate 102 matches the shape of the outer side plate 101. A high-strength saw blade 103 is housed within the interlayer formed by the outer side plate 101 and the inner side plate 102. One end of the saw blade 103 is fixed with a limiting post 1022, and the other end is limited by a fixing nut. The limiting post 1022 and the fixing nut are respectively embedded in the sliding grooves 1021 on both sides, allowing the saw blade 103 to slide freely back and forth within the interlayer along the direction of the sliding grooves 1021. The saw teeth of the saw blade 103 and the inner side of the barb of the outer plate 101 together form a sharp angle, constituting a powerful sawing mechanism for cutting large branches. This barb has a dual function: first, it can effectively hook the branch at the beginning of sawing to prevent it from slipping and ensure the stability of the starting point of the cut; second, its inner side and the saw teeth of the saw blade 103 together form a sharp guide angle to guide the saw blade to cut in efficiently.

[0036] The saw blade 103 is made of tungsten carbide steel with three-sided cutting teeth, specifically designed for bio-chain saws. The teeth of this blade are specially designed for efficient chip removal, preventing sawdust clogging and ensuring sharpness during continuous cutting. One end of the saw blade 103 is secured by a high-strength limiting post 1022, while the other end is limited by a non-loosening fixing nut. These two components are embedded in the grooves 1021 on both sides, precisely constraining the saw blade 103 to perform high-speed, stable reciprocating motion only within the interlayer along the groove direction.

[0037] The first cutting edge 1 forms a robust "cantilever beam-guide rail" system. The barbs of the outer side plate 101 bear the main tensile and bending stresses, while the inner side plate 102 and the sliding groove system ensure the linearity and precision of power transmission, maximizing the conversion of the motor's rotational power into effective cutting kinetic energy.

[0038] The second cutting edge 2 is an arc-shaped cutting edge 201 located on the back of the outer side plate 101, which together with the back area of ​​the outer side plate 101 of the first cutting edge 1 forms a second cutting mechanism for cutting small branches. The second blade, 2, is designed as a rapid cutting unit for clearing small branches and tender shoots. It is essentially an arc-shaped cutting edge located on the back of the outer side plate. This arc-shaped cutting edge, together with the arc-shaped area on the back of the outer side plate itself, forms a shear-like cutting pair, capable of cleanly and efficiently cutting off small branches.

[0039] The second cutting edge 2 is essentially an arc-shaped cutting edge 201 integrally formed or welded to the irregular metal plate 6. This arc-shaped cutting edge 201 has a sharp cutting line and is closely adjacent to the arc-shaped area on the back of the outer side plate 101 of the aforementioned first cutting edge 1, forming a precise shearing edge between them. This design is specifically for quickly and neatly cutting small branches and tender shoots.

[0040] The second cutting edge 2 is not a separate component, but is integrated into the irregular metal plate 6, specifically manifested as a precision-ground arc-shaped cutting edge 201. The curve of this arc-shaped cutting edge has been optimized through fluid dynamics simulation, which can guide the tree branch to the most effective cutting point of the cutting edge during shearing.

[0041] The curved blade 201 fits tightly against the curved area on the back of the outer side plate 101 of the first blade 1, together forming a precision shearing pair similar to a "fixed blade and a moving blade". Its shearing principle is similar to that of scissors. When the operator inserts the branch into the blade and pulls back or presses down the device, the branch is subjected to a rapidly increased shearing stress, thus being cut off instantly with a clean cut, which is conducive to the healing of tree wounds.

[0042] The third cutting edge 3 is a horizontally reciprocating saw blade 301, whose toothed end and the back of the second cutting edge 2 form a third cutting mechanism for cutting medium-sized branches.

[0043] The third blade is designed as a medium-sized cutting unit to handle branch sizes between the first and second blades. It is a saw with arc-shaped teeth that can perform horizontal reciprocating motion. The tips of its teeth form an effective cutting angle with the back of the arc-shaped cutting edge of the second blade.

[0044] The third cutting edge 3 includes a saw blade 301 with serrated teeth arranged in an arc. The rear end of the saw blade 301 is slidably connected to a moving groove 61 formed in the lower protrusion of the irregular metal plate 6 by a fixing bolt 302. This allows the saw blade 301 to reciprocate horizontally along the moving groove 61. The front end of the serrated teeth of the saw blade 301 forms an effective cutting angle with the back area of ​​the arc-shaped cutting edge 201 of the second cutting edge 2, for sawing branches of medium thickness.

[0045] The saw blade 301 is made of T10 tool steel with an optimized wolf-tooth tooth shape, providing stronger tearing power and a longer service life. The teeth are arranged in an arc shape that matches the back contour of the second cutting edge 2, which makes the sawing action more coordinated and the cutting angle larger.

[0046] In some embodiments, the inner side plate 102 of the first cutting edge 1 has grooves 1021 on both sides, and one end of the saw blade 103 is slidably connected to the groove 1021 by a limiting post 1022 and the other end by a fixing nut.

[0047] In some embodiments, the first cutting edge 1, the second cutting edge 2, and the third cutting edge 3 are integrated and fixed on a non-standard metal plate 6. The lower end protrusion of the non-standard metal plate 6 is provided with a moving groove 61, and the rear end of the saw blade 301 of the third cutting edge 3 is slidably connected to the inside of the moving groove 61 by a fixing bolt 302.

[0048] The heterogeneous metal plate 6 serves as the connecting bracket for the entire trimmer head assembly, typically made of 7075 aerospace-grade aluminum alloy and integrally formed using a CNC machining center. It not only provides the mounting base for the three cutting edges, but its lower protrusion and moving groove 61 also act as the carrier for the third cutting edge drive mechanism. This ensures the relative positional accuracy of all cutting units and improves the structural rigidity and stability of the entire assembly.

[0049] In some embodiments, the drive mechanism inside the housing 4 includes: a transmission motor 7, the output end of which is connected to a speed-changing gear 72 via a transmission assembly 71; a rotating gear 73 that meshes with the speed-changing gear 72, and an eccentrically positioned lever 74 at the middle position of the rotating gear 73; and a connecting rod 75, one end of which is movably connected to the lever 74, and the other end of which is connected to the saw blade 103 of the first cutting edge 1. The rotational motion of the drive motor 7 is converted into the eccentric rotation of the lever 74 through the transmission assembly 71, the speed-changing gear 72 and the rotating gear 73, and then drives the saw blade 103 to reciprocate through the connecting rod 75.

[0050] The drive motor 7 converts rotary motion into reciprocating motion through a transmission assembly including bevel gears, speed-changing gears, and rotating gears. The eccentric lever on the rotating gear is connected to the saw blade at the first cutting edge via a connecting rod, driving the saw blade to reciprocate at high speed and achieve powerful sawing.

[0051] The drive mechanism inside the housing comprises two systems. The first system, used to drive the saw blade 103 of the first cutting edge 1, includes a drive motor 7. The output shaft of the drive motor 7 transmits power to a speed-changing gear 72 via a transmission assembly 71 composed of bevel gears. The speed-changing gear 72 meshes with a rotating gear 73. A lever 74 is fixedly mounted at an eccentric position at the center of the rotating gear 73. The lever 74 passes upward through a rectangular hole 401 in the housing 4. A rectangular slot is formed on the lever 74, and one end of a connecting rod 75 is hinged to the lever 74 through this rectangular slot, while the other end passes through a sliding groove 1021 in the inner side plate 102 and is fixedly connected to a limiting post 1022 at one end of the saw blade 103. When the drive motor 7 starts, it drives the rotating gear 73 to rotate through the gear set, and the eccentrically mounted lever 74 performs a circular motion accordingly, which is then converted into a pull-push reciprocating motion on the saw blade 103 through the connecting rod 75, achieving high-speed sawing.

[0052] In some embodiments, the drive mechanism further includes a stepper motor 8, the front end of which is provided with a push rod 81 that can reciprocate back and forth. The push rod 81 is connected to the end of the saw blade 301 of the third cutting edge 3 through at least two connecting rods 82 to drive the saw blade 301 to reciprocate horizontally.

[0053] Stepper motor 8 drives the third blade of the saw to perform precise horizontal reciprocating motion via a push rod and linkage mechanism. This separate drive design allows the operator to select the appropriate blade and drive mode according to the size of the branch, resulting in high efficiency and energy saving.

[0054] Stepper motor 8 drives push rod 81 to perform precise forward and backward linear motion. Push rod 81, through one or more connecting rods 82, forms a "rocker arm slider mechanism" with the end of saw blade 301. When push rod 81 moves forward and backward, it drives saw blade 301 to perform horizontal reciprocating motion within moving groove 61 through the transmission and amplification of connecting rods 82. Its reciprocating frequency and stroke can be adjusted by control circuit to achieve different cutting effects.

[0055] The second system, used to drive the saw blade 301 of the third cutting edge 3, includes a stepper motor 8. The front output shaft of the stepper motor 8 is connected to a push rod 81, which can perform precise forward and backward linear motion. The front end of the push rod 81 is connected to the end of the saw blade 301 via one or more connecting rods 82. When the stepper motor 8 drives the push rod 81 to move forward and backward, the connecting rods 82 drive the saw blade 301 to perform horizontal reciprocating motion within the moving groove 61, thus sawing the tree branches.

[0056] The housing 4 houses the power system that drives the aforementioned cutting edge. A control assembly 5 is located on one side of the housing 4, mainly including a switch 501 for controlling the circuit's on / off state. A rectangular hole 401 and a battery compartment 404 are also provided on the surface of the housing 4; the battery compartment is used to house the power supply battery. A connection port 402 is machined at the rear end of the housing 4, and flexible strip plates 403 are provided on both sides thereon.

[0057] In some embodiments, the extension rod assembly includes a base rod 9, a telescopic rod 12, and an insertion rod 14 connected in sequence; slots 1401 are provided on both sides of the surface of the insertion rod 14; a connection port 402 is provided at the rear end of the housing 4, and strip plates 403 are provided on both sides of the connection port 402. The strip plates 403 can be inserted into the slots 1401 of the insertion rod 14 to realize the mechanical connection between the housing 4 and the extension rod assembly 200.

[0058] The strip plate at the rear of the housing inserts into the slot of the insertion rod to achieve mechanical locking. Simultaneously, the metal contacts on both contact surfaces automatically activate the control circuit upon completion of the mechanical connection, allowing the operating button located at the bottom of the base rod to remotely control the motor inside the trimming head. This design enables rapid assembly and circuit connection, greatly improving operational convenience.

[0059] The base rod 9, telescopic rod 12, and insertion rod 14 are connected sequentially by threads or quick-locking devices. A grip hole 91 at the lower end of the base rod 9 facilitates gripping with both hands to exert force. The base rod 9, telescopic rod 12, and insertion rod 14 are equipped with operating buttons 92 to control the circuit connection lines of the motor inside the housing 4.

[0060] When the insert rod 14 is inserted into the connector 402 and the strip plate 403 is locked into the slot 1401, the metal contact 1402 on the surface of the insert rod makes physical contact with the spring-loaded pin-type metal contact inside the connector. This connection instantly completes the conduction of two key circuits: one is the power circuit that supplies power to the motor inside the housing; the other is the signal circuit from the operating button 92 to the control circuit.

[0061] In some embodiments, metal contacts 1402 are provided inside the connection port 402 and on the surface of the insertion rod 14. When the strip plate 403 is inserted into the slot 1401 to complete the mechanical connection, the metal contacts of the connection port 402 contact the metal contacts 1402 of the insertion rod 14, thereby connecting the control circuit in the extension rod assembly 200 with the motor start-stop circuit in the housing 4.

[0062] When assembling the device, align the connector 402 at the rear of the housing 4 with the insert rod 14, and insert the strip plate 403 into the slot 1401 until a "click" sound is heard, indicating that the mechanical locking is complete. At the same time, the metal contacts inside the connector 402 make tight contact with the metal contacts 1402 on the surface of the insert rod 14, automatically connecting the control circuit from the operation button 92 to the motor inside the housing 4.

[0063] In some embodiments, the connection between the strip plate 403 and the slot 1401 can be further optimized to magnetic assisted locking. That is, a permanent magnet is embedded in the strip plate 403, and a magnetically conductive metal sheet or another permanent magnet is embedded at the corresponding position of the insertion rod 14. When the two come close, they automatically align and attract each other under magnetic force, making the connection more convenient and secure, especially suitable for scenarios requiring frequent disassembly and assembly.

[0064] In some embodiments, the lower end of the base rod 9 is provided with a grip hole 91, and the lower end of the grip hole 91 is provided with an operation button 92. By pressing the operation button 92, the operation of the motor inside the housing 4 can be controlled.

[0065] In some embodiments, the extension rod assembly is further provided with an observation system, which includes: a miniature camera 15, fixed to a position near the trimmer head assembly 100 by a support rod 1301; and a multimedia gripper 11, disposed on the base rod 9, for holding a video output device. Among them, the miniature camera 15 can transmit the images it captures to a video output device to enable real-time observation of the high-altitude pruning situation.

[0066] In some embodiments, the miniature camera 15 may integrate an LED light for operation in low-light environments (such as dense shady areas or at dusk), ensuring video clarity. Furthermore, the camera may have a rotation function controlled by a small joystick located near the operation button 92, thereby obtaining a better field of view.

[0067] A miniature camera is mounted on a support rod near the pruning head. A multimedia gripper is attached to the base rod via a fixing ring, allowing for the attachment of smartphones, tablets, and other smart devices. The real-time video captured by the miniature camera is transmitted wirelessly (e.g., via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi) to the smart device on the ground. The operator can clearly observe the relative position of the pruning blade and the branch without having to crane their neck to guess, thus enabling precise and safe pruning operations.

[0068] In some embodiments, the support rod 1301 is fixed to the connecting ring 13, and the connecting ring 13 is sleeved on the upper end of the telescopic rod 12; the multimedia gripper 11 is disposed on a fixing ring 10, and the fixing ring 10 is sleeved on the outside of the bottom rod 9.

[0069] The working principle of this invention is as follows: The operator first adjusts the telescopic pole 12 to a suitable length according to the tree height, and then clamps the mobile phone or other devices onto the multimedia gripper 11. The corresponding APP on the mobile phone is then opened to establish a wireless connection with the miniature camera 15.

[0070] The miniature camera's 15-degree field of view is optimized to fully cover the working area of ​​the three cutting edges. The acquired video signals are transmitted with low latency via a built-in wireless transmission module such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. A ground-based smart terminal, such as a mobile phone, acts as a "display," receiving and displaying the real-time footage through a dedicated application or general video software. This design constructs a closed "observation-decision-execution" feedback loop. Based on the screen images, the operator can clearly determine the relative position of the cutting edge and the tree branch.

[0071] Then, holding the grip holes 91 of the base rod 9 with both hands, lift the device and bring the pruning head close to the branch to be pruned. By observing the real-time image transmitted back by the miniature camera 15 on the mobile phone screen, the operator can precisely adjust the position of the blade.

[0072] When it is necessary to prune small branches, the arc-shaped cutting edge 201 of the second blade 2 is used to hold the branch. The operator only needs to pull back or press down the device slightly to generate huge shearing stress and cut the branch instantly. The shearing force can be used to cut the branch. When it is necessary to prune medium-thickness branches, align the saw blade 301 of the third blade 3 with the branch, press the operation button 92 with your thumb to start the stepper motor 8, and the saw blade 301 will start to reciprocate to cut. When pruning large branches, the saw blade 103 of the first cutting edge 1 is inserted into the branch. The operation button 92 is pressed, or the motor is selected via a switch, starting the drive motor 7. The drive motor 7 outputs high-speed rotation, which is transmitted to the speed-changing gear 72 via a transmission assembly 71 composed of bevel gears. The speed-changing gear 72 can be designed to increase or decrease speed according to actual cutting resistance requirements, adjusting the output torque and frequency. The rotating gear 73 acts as a "crank," and its eccentrically positioned lever 74 converts the rotational motion into reciprocating oscillation. Finally, through the connecting rod 75, the oscillation is precisely converted into linear reciprocating motion of the saw blade 103 within the groove 1021. The barbs on the outer plate 101 prevent the branch from shifting or falling during cutting.

[0073] Please see Figure 7-8 This embodiment provides another automated pruning solution for tall, robust trees (with a diameter at breast height of 80 cm or more) in complex surrounding environments (such as near high-voltage lines or buildings). This mode enables the pruning head to autonomously climb and operate on the tree trunk through a lifting component, completely freeing the operator and achieving an absolutely safe distance.

[0074] The lifting assembly consists of two symmetrically designed semi-circular lifting arms 16 forming the main structure. The lifting arms 16 are extruded from lightweight, high-strength aluminum alloy, with a hollow interior for wiring and component housing. Their outer arc surfaces are sandblasted and anodized to improve weather resistance. A standardized insert 14 is fixedly installed at the center of the outer arc surface of each lifting arm 16. The structure of this insert 14 is identical to the insert at the top of the extension rod assembly, with slots 1401 and embedded metal contacts 1402 on its surface. This means that the trimming head assembly of this invention can be directly and quickly installed onto the lifting arms 16 without any adapters, and automatically connects to power and control signals via the metal contacts 1402, achieving modular functional expansion.

[0075] The lifting arm 16 is made of 6061-T6 aluminum alloy through extrusion molding, a process that ensures component consistency, high strength, and lightweight design. The profile has a C-shaped hollow structure, providing space for internal wiring and component installation, while also forming natural guides and reinforcing ribs. The surface undergoes hard anodizing treatment, forming a hard oxide film over 25 micrometers thick, significantly improving corrosion and wear resistance.

[0076] In some embodiments, two lifting arms 16 are combined together by an adjustable connector. At the end of each lifting arm 16, a precision circular connection hole 1601 is machined. The connector consists of two solid connecting posts 20, a fixed connecting plate 21, and a sliding telescopic plate 2101. During assembly, the lower ends of the two connecting posts 20 are inserted into the connection holes 1601 of the two lifting arms 16, respectively. The upper ends of the connecting posts 20 are fixedly connected to the connecting plate 21 and the telescopic plate 2101, respectively. The telescopic plate 2101 can be precisely slidably fitted onto the side rail of the connecting plate 21. By tightening the fixing nut 2102 installed on the telescopic plate 2101, the relative position of the telescopic plate 2101 and the connecting plate 21 can be locked. This design allows the operator to easily adjust the distance between the starting ends of the two lifting arms 16, thus enabling the entire lifting assembly to adapt to trees of different diameters at breast height, making it highly versatile.

[0077] Once the circumference diameter is adjusted to the correct position, use A2-70 stainless steel bolts and lock nuts with a nominal diameter of not less than 8 mm to pass through all the corresponding holes in the fixed brackets 1602 and tighten them thoroughly. This multi-point rigid connection firmly combines the two lifting arms 16 into a complete, tightly gripping rigid ring around the trunk, which is sufficient to withstand the reaction force, vibration, and the weight of the device generated during the cutting operation.

[0078] By sliding the telescopic plate 2101, the distance between the bottoms of the two connecting columns 20 is changed, thereby causing the ends of the two lifting arms 16 to open or close. This achieves the control of the diameter of a large ring structure with a linear adjustment action, resulting in a simple and efficient structure.

[0079] In some embodiments, at the other end of the lifting arm 16, i.e., the end opposite to the connector, a plurality of L-shaped fixing brackets 1602 made of high-strength steel are welded. After the two lifting arms 16 are wrapped around the tree trunk and adjusted to the appropriate diameter using the connector, several high-strength stainless steel bolts are passed through the holes of the two fixing brackets 1602 and tightened with nuts to secure the entire circumferential structure to the tree trunk, providing a stable foundation for subsequent lifting and cutting operations.

[0080] In some embodiments, the power and transmission system is integrated within the lifting arm 16. A high-capacity power supply assembly 17 is housed within it, providing ample power to the system. Three sets of guide wheel assemblies 19 are distributed from top to bottom along the inner arc surface of the lifting arm 16. Each guide wheel assembly 19 includes a polyurethane ratchet wheel 1901 with a self-cleaning pattern, which is connected to a DC geared motor installed within the lifting arm cavity via a robust drive shaft 1902. The motor drives the ratchet wheel 1901 to rotate, utilizing the significant static friction between it and the tree trunk bark to propel the entire lifting device along the tree trunk. Each set of guide wheels is driven by an independent motor and synchronously controlled by the control system 18 to ensure smooth lifting without skewing or jamming.

[0081] The Ratchet 1901 wheel hub is made of aluminum alloy, with the outer rim covered in a polyurethane material containing reinforcing fibers. This material provides an extremely high coefficient of friction (over 0.8 in dry conditions) without causing serious damage to the bark. The wheel surface features a self-cleaning herringbone or ratchet pattern, effectively removing dust and moss from the bark and ensuring reliable grip in any weather conditions. Each guide wheel assembly 19, or each pair of guide wheels, is driven by an independent DC brushless servo motor, whose output torque is amplified by a reducer (usually a planetary gear reducer). The servo motor allows for precise control of speed and position.

[0082] In some embodiments, the control center is a control system 18 mounted on the outer surface of the lifting arm 16. This integrated control box contains a main control MCU, a wireless communication module, a motor drive module, etc. The operator uses a waterproof wireless remote control equipped with a joystick and buttons to send commands to the control system 18 within a certain range. These commands include: controlling the lifting arm 16 to rise, fall, and stop; adjusting the lifting speed; and, after the pruning head assembly is installed, remotely starting or switching the first blade 1, the second blade 2, or the third blade 3 for operation. Throughout the entire operation, the operator does not need to leave the ground or rely on an extension rod to complete precise and safe pruning of the upper branches of the tree canopy.

[0083] The operator's handheld remote control typically features two joysticks (one for raising and lowering the device and the other for rotating the trimmer head—if upgraded in the future), multiple function buttons, an emergency stop button, and an LCD display. The display shows real-time status information such as the device's height (calculated via the integral motor speed or an additional laser rangefinder), battery level, and motor load current.

[0084] Working principle: The operator first opens the two lifting arms 16, encircling the trunk of the tree to be pruned. Next, the telescopic plate 2101 of the sliding connector is used to bring the lifting arms 16 close to the trunk, and then the fixing nuts 2102 are tightened. Subsequently, bolts are passed through all corresponding fixing brackets 1602 and tightened, completing the installation and fixing of the lifting assembly on the tree trunk. Next, the pruning head assembly is directly inserted into the insertion rod 14 of the lifting arm 16 through the connection port 402 at the rear end of its housing 4. After hearing a "click" sound and the circuit automatically connecting, the installation is complete.

[0085] The operator retreats to a safe distance and issues an ascent command via wireless remote control. Upon receiving the command, control system 18 activates the motor of guide wheel assembly 19, driving the ratchet wheel 1901 to roll upwards along the tree trunk, smoothly raising the entire device and pruning head assembly. The remote control can be connected to a mobile phone or dedicated display via its video signal receiving function, allowing the operator to observe the real-time footage transmitted by miniature camera 15. When the pruning head reaches the vicinity of the target branch, a stop command is sent to bring the device to a stop.

[0086] Then, by using the function buttons on the remote control, the corresponding blade can be selected and activated for pruning. For example, when encountering a thick branch, the drive motor 7 can be remotely activated to drive the saw blade 103 of the first blade 1 to make a powerful cut. After pruning, the control device lowers to a suitable position or moves to the next work point to continue working. The entire process is safe, efficient, and labor-saving, completely changing the traditional operation mode of pruning tall trees.

[0087] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An aerial tree pruning device, characterized by, The application relates to a pruning head assembly which is integrated with at least three different structures of cutting executors, the at least three different structures of cutting executors including a first cutting edge (1), a second cutting edge (2) and a third cutting edge (3); a shell (4) which is internally provided with a driving mechanism for driving the cutting executors to work; a control assembly (5) which is arranged on the shell (4) and is used for controlling the driving mechanism; an extension rod assembly which is detachably connected to the shell (4) and is used for extending the pruning head assembly to an aerial operation position; the first cutting edge (1) includes a sandwich structure which is formed by an outer side plate (101) and an inner side plate (102), and a reciprocating saw blade (103) which is arranged in the sandwich structure and forms a first cutting mechanism for cutting large branches; the second cutting edge (2) is an arc-shaped cutting edge (201) which is arranged at the back of the outer side plate (101) and which, together with the back area of the outer side plate (101) of the first cutting edge (1), forms a second cutting mechanism for shearing small branches; and the third cutting edge (3) is a horizontally reciprocating saw blade (301) which, with its saw-toothed end, forms a third cutting mechanism for cutting medium-sized branches with the back of the second cutting edge (2). Sliding grooves (1021) are formed at the two sides of the inner side plate (102) of the first cutting edge (1), one end of the saw blade (103) is slidably connected to the sliding grooves (1021) through a limiting column (1022), and the other end is slidably connected to the sliding grooves (1021) through a fixing nut. The first cutting edge (1), the second cutting edge (2) and the third cutting edge (3) are integrally fixed on a special-shaped metal plate (6), a moving groove (61) is arranged at the lower end of the protruding part of the special-shaped metal plate (6), and the rear end of the saw blade (301) of the third cutting edge (3) is slidably connected to the inside of the moving groove (61) through a fixing bolt (302). The driving mechanism in the shell (4) comprises: a transmission motor (7) whose output end is connected to a variable speed gear (72) through a transmission assembly (71); a rotating gear (73) which is engaged with the variable speed gear (72) and is provided with an eccentrically arranged shifting rod (74) at the middle position of the rotating gear (73); and a connecting rod (75) which is movably connected to the shifting rod (74) at one end and is connected to the saw blade (103) of the first cutting edge (1) at the other end. The driving mechanism further comprises a stepping motor (8) which is provided with a push rod (81) which can reciprocate forward and backward at the front end of the stepping motor (8), and the push rod (81) is connected to the tail end of the saw blade (301) of the third cutting edge (3) through at least two connecting rods (82) to drive the saw blade (301) to horizontally reciprocate. The extension rod assembly comprises a bottom rod (9), a telescopic rod (12) and an insertion rod (14) which are sequentially connected; insertion grooves (1401) are formed at the two sides of the surface of the insertion rod (14); a connecting port (402) is arranged at the rear end of the shell (4), strip-shaped plates (403) are arranged at the two sides of the connecting port (402), metal contacts (1402) are arranged on the surface of the insertion rod (14) and in the connecting port (402). ​ ​ 2. The aerial tree pruning device of claim 1, wherein, ​ 3. The aerial tree pruning device of claim 2, wherein, ​ 4. The aerial tree pruning device of claim 1, wherein, ​ ​ ​ ​ 5. The aerial tree pruning device of claim 4, wherein, ​ 6. The aerial tree pruning device of claim 1, wherein, ​ ​ ​ The lower end of the bottom rod (9) is provided with a holding hole (91), and the lower end of the holding hole (91) is provided with an operation button (92).

7. The aerial tree pruning device of claim 6, wherein, The extension rod assembly is further provided with an observation system, which comprises: A miniature camera (15) is fixed to a position close to the trimming head assembly (100) through a support rod (1301), and a multimedia clamping jaw (11) is arranged on the bottom rod (9) and used for clamping a video output device. The support rod (1301) is fixed to a connecting ring (13), and the connecting ring (13) is sleeved on the upper end of the telescopic rod (12); the multimedia clamping jaw (11) is arranged on a fixed ring (10), and the fixed ring (10) is sleeved on the outer side of the bottom rod (9).

8. The aerial tree pruning device of claim 1, wherein, Further comprising a lifting assembly, the lifting assembly comprises two symmetrically arranged semicircular lifting arms (16), and the surface of the lifting arm (16) is provided with a plug rod (14) for detachably connecting the trimming head assembly.

9. The aerial tree pruning device of claim 8, wherein, The end of the lifting arm (16) is provided with a connecting hole (1601), and the lifting assembly further comprises a connecting piece, the connecting piece comprises two connecting columns (20), the connecting columns (20) are respectively inserted into the connecting holes (1601), and the upper parts of the two connecting columns (20) are respectively fixedly provided with a connecting plate (21) and a telescopic plate (2101), the telescopic plate (2101) is slidably sleeved on one side of the connecting plate (21), the other end side of the lifting arm (16) is fixedly provided with a plurality of fixed supports (1602), and the fixed supports (1602) are provided with holes in the middle, and the two lifting arms are fixed together through a threaded fixing mode.

10. The aerial tree pruning device of claim 9, wherein, The inside of the lifting arm (16) is a hollow structure, and the inside is provided with a power supply assembly (17) and a plurality of guide wheel assemblies (19), the guide wheel assembly (19) comprises a thorn wheel (1901) and a transmission shaft (1902), a plurality of independent motors are further arranged in the lifting arm (16), and the surface of the lifting arm (16) is further provided with a control system (18) for controlling the independent motors and the trimming head assembly through wireless remote control.

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