Device for assisting in climbing of palm rattan under forest

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of forestry planting and ecological tending equipment, and discloses a device for assisting under-forest rattan climbing, the device comprises a bionic spine assembly, the bionic spine assembly comprises a first assembly and a plurality of second assemblies, one end of each of the first assembly and the second assemblies is connected with a target supporting wood through a top base, and the other end of each of the second assemblies is connected with a ground anchoring assembly, the first assembly is formed by connecting a plurality of first hollow cone units in an end-to-end nesting mode in series and forms a climbing center supporting body of the rattan rattan, the second assembly is formed by connecting a plurality of second hollow cone units in an end-to-end nesting mode in series, and the second assemblies are arranged around the first assembly in a circular array mode to form a cylindrical climbing channel. Through the synergistic effect of the center tensioning assembly and the ball socket matching structure, the physical contradiction between rigid supporting and flexible recycling is solved. By adjusting the axial prestress of the internal inhaul cable, the bionic spine assembly can be freely switched between a rigid columnar working state in which the bionic spine assembly bears the weight of rattan stems and a loose and soft flexible chain recovery state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of forestry planting and ecological tending equipment technology, specifically a device to assist palm vines in climbing under forest canopies. Background Technology

[0002] Palm vines are an extremely important non-timber forest resource in tropical rainforest ecosystems, possessing immense economic, cultural, and ecological value. To mimic their native habitat and maintain biodiversity, understory planting using arbor forests has become the mainstream approach. Because palm vines have slender stems and lack the mechanical strength for upright growth, they must attach to supports that provide vertical gripping force. They gain spatial advantage through specialized whiplashes, sheaths, spiny leaf sheaths, and the movement of their stems, thereby completing photosynthesis and lignification. Therefore, in plantation environments where natural hosts are unevenly distributed or insufficient, introducing artificial climbing structures is a necessary means to ensure the yield and quality of palm timber.

[0003] However, in the long-term cultivation and harvesting operations, an irreconcilable structural paradox exists between the unique growth mechanism of vines and traditional rigid support structures. While widely used bamboo poles, PVC pipes, or metal supports can provide necessary physical support in the early stages of vine growth, as the vines mature, these traditional supports, unable to change their physical form, experience strong mechanical resistance against the barbs on the vines during removal. Operators often have to resort to forceful dragging, which not only easily scratches the valuable vine bark and breaks the vine stems, but can also damage nearby vines and young vines, causing serious biological damage and economic losses.

[0004] Meanwhile, the heterogeneity of light in the closed canopy environment of the forest also places higher demands on the functional design of auxiliary facilities. The shading of the forest canopy results in a fragmented and dynamic distribution of light spots in the understory light field. Most existing auxiliary devices only serve as passive physical frameworks, lacking the ability to actively respond to the microenvironment and control optical signals. Palm vines in the early stages of climbing are easily misled by lateral scattered light or ground reflection due to the lack of clear vertical light guidance, causing them to concentrate on creeping and climbing towards the gaps in the canopy. This not only wastes valuable forest space but also increases the risk of the vines rotting due to the damp surface environment. This uncontrolled growth caused by the "lack of guidance" significantly reduces the vine formation rate per unit area and the yield of high-quality vines.

[0005] Furthermore, the complex dynamic characteristics of the forest understory also expose the shortcomings of traditional static supports. Natural trees sway flexibly under wind loads, while traditional supports anchored to the ground are typically too stiff and remain stationary. When palm vines are simultaneously hooked between natural trees and artificial supports, the "stiffness-flexibility mismatch" in their motion modes causes the vine stems to endure continuous tearing tension, especially during typhoons or severe convective weather, which can easily lead to the vine stems detaching, falling, or breaking. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a device to assist palm vines in climbing under forest canopies. It solves the technical problems of existing rigid support facilities being unable to eliminate mechanical interlocking during the harvest season when faced with the unique "barbed anchoring" climbing mechanism of palm vines, resulting in difficulties in removal; lacking a light-inducing mechanism for the closed canopy environment under forest canopies, causing vine seedlings to grow prostrate; and the device's rigidity being unable to adapt to the swaying of trees in the wind, causing shearing damage to the vine stems.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a device for assisting palm vines in climbing under forest canopies, comprising: The biomimetic spinal component includes component one and multiple components two. Both are connected to the target support wood at one end via a top base and to the ground anchoring component at the other end. Component one is composed of multiple hollow vertebral units nested one end to the other and forming the central support for the climbing of the palm vine. Component two is composed of multiple hollow vertebral units nested one end to the other and arranged in a circular array around component one to form a cylindrical climbing channel. A central tensioning component, which extends through the interior of the bionic spine assembly, is used to apply axial prestress to the bionic spine assembly. Tension-linkage functional unit, which is set on the bionic spinal component, includes linkage component and functional component; In this process, by controlling the tension and relaxation of the central tensioning component, the bionic spinal component can switch between a rigid working state and a flexible retraction state. In the rigid working state, the components that make up the bionic spine assembly are squeezed and meshed with each other under the action of axial prestress, and the axial pressure between the components drives the linkage assembly to move to form a functional component protruding from the surface of the bionic spine assembly. In the flexible recovery state, the axial prestress is released, the components constituting the bionic spine assembly loosely separate, the linkage components are reset, and the outer surface of the bionic spine assembly returns to a smooth state.

[0008] Preferably, the top base includes a support ring, which is composed of two semi-circular rings that are interlocked and fixed together. The support ring is connected to a clamp via a steel cable, and the clamp is used to wrap around and fix the target support tree to the branches.

[0009] Preferably, the ground anchoring component includes two double-layer semi-circular support frames symmetrically arranged around the periphery of the palm vine plant. The two double-layer semi-circular support frames are interlocked to form a double-layer support frame. The bottom layer of the double-layer support frame is provided with anchoring piles for anchoring the double-layer support frame to the ground. The top layer of the double-layer support frame is connected to the bottom end of the bionic spine component through an elastic cable to form a detachable connection structure. The double-layer support frame is also provided with a self-locking winding device for providing tension to the central tensioning component.

[0010] Preferably, the first vertebral unit adopts a hollow cylindrical structure, and two adjacent first vertebral units are connected by a ball-and-socket joint structure. The top of the first vertebral unit located at the top of the first assembly is fixedly connected to the clamp by an elastic cable, and the bottom of the first vertebral unit located at the bottom of the first assembly is fixedly connected to the top extension end of the double-layer support frame by an elastic cable.

[0011] Preferably, the second vertebral unit also adopts a hollow cylindrical structure, and two adjacent second vertebral units are connected by a ball-and-socket joint structure. The top of the second vertebral unit located at the top of the second component is fixedly connected to the bottom wall of the support ring by an elastic cable, and the bottom of the second vertebral unit located at the bottom of the second component is fixedly connected to the top ring wall of the double-layer support frame by an elastic cable.

[0012] Preferably, multiple center tensioning components are respectively disposed within component one and component two. Each center tensioning component includes a pulley and a cable. In component one, the seat end of the pulley is fixedly connected to the inner top wall of the topmost conical unit one, and one end of the cable is fixedly connected to the inner bottom wall of the bottommost conical unit one. The other end extends upward through the pulley and then downward through the inner bottom wall of the bottommost conical unit one, finally being fixedly connected to the winding end of the self-locking winding device. In component two, the seat end of the pulley is fixedly connected to the inner top wall of the topmost conical unit two, and one end of the cable is fixedly connected to the inner bottom wall of the bottommost conical unit two. The other end extends upward through the pulley and then downward through the inner bottom wall of the bottommost conical unit two, finally being fixedly connected to the winding end of the self-locking winding device.

[0013] Preferably, multiple linkage components are respectively disposed within vertebral unit one and vertebral unit two. Each linkage component includes a sleeve, with two symmetrically arranged push rods fixedly connected to the top of the sleeve. Multiple connecting rods are rotatably connected to the push rod walls. In vertebral unit one, the sleeve is embedded and slidably connected to the inner bottom of vertebral unit one, and the bottom of the sleeve penetrates the bottom wall of vertebral unit one and is fixedly connected to the ball-and-socket joint structure. The side wall of the push rod is slidably connected to the inner side wall of vertebral unit one. In vertebral unit two, the sleeve is embedded and slidably connected to the inner bottom of vertebral unit two, and the bottom of the sleeve penetrates the bottom wall of vertebral unit two and is fixedly connected to the ball-and-socket joint structure. The side wall of the push rod is slidably connected to the inner side wall of vertebral unit two.

[0014] Preferably, the functional components include anti-slip spikes and light guide wings. Each of the two sides of the first conical unit has a through-slot. The anti-slip spike covers one of the through-slots, and the bottom of the anti-slip spike is rotatably connected to the through-slot. An elastic reset member is provided between the two, which applies a pre-tightening force to the anti-slip spike to retract into the through-slot. The inner wall of the anti-slip spike is rotatably connected to a connecting rod. Each of the two sides of the second conical unit has a through-slot. The light guide wings cover the through-slots. The top of the light guide wing facing the palm vine is rotatably connected to the through-slot, and the bottom of the light guide wing on the other side is rotatably connected to the through-slot. The inner wall of the light guide wing is rotatably connected to a connecting rod. The side of the light guide wing facing the axis of the second conical unit has a reflective surface.

[0015] Preferably, the inner diameter of the second through groove and the outer diameter of the light guide wing increase synchronously from bottom to top.

[0016] This invention provides a device to assist palm vines in climbing under forest canopies. It has the following beneficial effects: 1. This invention resolves the physical contradiction between rigid support and flexible retraction through the synergistic effect of the central tensioning component and the ball-and-socket joint structure. By adjusting the axial prestress of the internal cables, the biomimetic spine component can freely switch between a "rigid columnar working state" under the heavy pressure of the vine stem and a loose, flexible "flexible chain retraction state." This mechanism completely eliminates the drawback of traditional supports that must be destructively disassembled during harvesting. Operators only need to release the tension, and the device can deform arbitrarily, achieving a seamless and low-resistance detachment from the vine stem like pulling out a thread, greatly reducing harvesting difficulty and enabling equipment recycling. Simultaneously, the system-wide elastic suspension and multi-stage split connection design between the top base and the ground anchoring component endow the device with excellent environmental adaptability and biocompatibility. The combination of the ball-and-socket joint and the elastic cable allows the device to possess multi-dimensional flexible swinging capabilities like a biological spine. When encountering strong winds in the forest, the device can sway synchronously with the attached tree, eliminating the shearing force generated by the relative displacement between the rigid support and the tree, preventing the vine stem from breaking.

[0017] 2. This invention achieves passive automated control of "axial compression driving radial expansion" through the setting of a tension-linked functional unit. The device requires no additional sensors or power source; it relies solely on the axial compression displacement when establishing rigidity to forcibly drive the hidden anti-slip spikes and light guide wings to pop out synchronously. This pull-lock-lock-open mechanical logic ensures that the functional components only intervene during the rigid phase of the device, and automatically retract and hide during the retraction phase. This ensures climbing functionality while preventing protruding parts from snagging on vines or damaging leaf sheaths during withdrawal.

[0018] 3. This invention achieves precise dual constraints on vine growth behavior through a unique geometric design that spatially arranges anti-slip thorns and light guide wings in an "axially reversed configuration." The upward-sloping anti-slip thorns form a gravity-defying support step, effectively locking the vine's downward tendency due to its own weight using a unidirectional ratchet effect. Meanwhile, the downward-sloping light guide wings act as a gravity-defying barrier, physically preventing the vine tip from emerging from the cylindrical channel. This combination of support and containment creates a safe and enclosed vertical growth corridor without interfering with the plant's natural thickening growth. Simultaneously, an array of light guide wings with increasing apertures from bottom to top is installed on the surface of the cylindrical channel constructed by component two, successfully utilizing the light flux gradient to passively guide the plant's growth path. This structural design creates a dark-at-the-bottom, bright-at-the-top lighting environment inside the device, utilizing the palm vine's strong phototropism to guide the apical meristem to automatically correct any lateral creeping or escaped growth trends, establishing a vertically upward climbing path along the central axis. This not only reduces the maintenance cost of artificially binding the vines, but also effectively improves the growth rate and straightness of the vines in the low-light environment under the forest. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a front view of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the biomimetic spine components in this invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the cone-shaped unit one in this invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the second cone-shaped unit in this invention.

[0020] Among them, 1. Component 1; 101. Conical Unit 1; 102. Through-slot 1; 2. Component 2; 201. Conical Unit 2; 202. Through-slot 2; 3. Top base; 301. Support ring; 302. Clamp; 4. Ground anchoring component; 401. Double-layer support frame; 402. Anchor pile; 5. Pulley; 6. Cable; 7. Sleeve; 8. Push rod; 9. Connecting rod; 10. Anti-slip spike; 11. Light guide wing. Detailed Implementation

[0021] 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.

[0022] Please see the appendix Figure 1 - Appendix Figure 5 This invention provides a device to assist palm vines in climbing under forest canopies. This device overcomes the limitations of traditional single-pole support by constructing a spatial array structure comprising an inner core and an outer cylinder. The device includes: The biomimetic spinal assembly includes Component 1 and multiple Components 2. Both are connected at one end to the target support wood via a top base 3 and at the other end to the ground anchoring assembly 4. Component 1 is composed of multiple hollow vertebral units 101 nested together end to end, forming the central support for the palm vine's climbing. Components 2 are composed of multiple hollow vertebral units 201 nested together end to end. Multiple Components 2 are arranged in a circular array around Component 1, with minimal gaps between adjacent Components 2, forming a cylindrical climbing channel that blocks external dappled light. Component 1, as the core load-bearing spine of the device, is responsible for providing the main vertical stiffness support. The multiple Components 2 are evenly arranged in a circular array around Component 1, thus enclosing a closed cylindrical climbing channel in space. The passage defines the growth and protection space for palm vine seedlings. Its inner wall provides hooking points for the palm vine's tendrils and thorns, while blocking interference from external light and forming a barrier against physical intrusion.

[0023] The installation and fixing system of this device adopts a modular design with separate upper and lower sections to adapt to complex site conditions under the forest canopy. The overall fixing logic of the device can include the following structural assembly steps: First, the device is suspended and positioned on the branches of the target support tree (such as an existing large tree in the forest) through the top base 3 to establish the upper flexible anchor point; Secondly, the bottom of the device is locked into the soil around the roots of the palm vine seedling by ground anchoring component 4 to establish the lower benchmark. Finally, a biomimetic spine assembly is connected between the top base 3 and the ground anchoring assembly 4, and a flexible transition connection is achieved through an elastic cable.

[0024] In this overall architecture, both Component 1 and Component 2 are composed of several hollow cylindrical independent units nested and connected in series. Component 1 consists of multiple hollow cone-shaped units 101, and Component 2 consists of multiple hollow cone-shaped units 201. To accommodate slight height changes during plant growth and the morphological transformation of the device during recovery, these components are not rigidly connected to the base.

[0025] The top of the cone-shaped unit 101 at the very top of component 1 is fixedly connected to the connecting beam of the clamp 302 above it via an elastic cable; the bottom of the cone-shaped unit 101 at the very bottom is fixedly connected to the top extension of the double-layer support frame 401 below it via an elastic cable. Similarly, for component 2, which forms the outer cylindrical structure, the top of the cone-shaped unit 201 at the very top is suspended and fixed to the bottom wall of the support ring 301 via an elastic cable, while the bottom of the cone-shaped unit 201 at the very bottom is connected and fixed to the top ring wall of the double-layer support frame 401 via an elastic cable. This elastic suspension and connection design of the entire system, on the one hand, allows the device to naturally present a loose and flexible state when no internal prestress is applied, making it easy to move around like a cable in the undergrowth of bushes; on the other hand, the elastic cable, as a "low-pass filter," can absorb external impact energy to the greatest extent. When the attached tree sways dramatically in strong winds, the elastic connectors at the top and bottom deform elastically, allowing the bionic spine component to sway synchronously with the tree. This eliminates the shearing and tearing forces on the palm vine stems hooked onto the tree caused by asynchronous movement between the traditional rigid support and the tree, thus achieving dynamic compatibility between the device and the forest ecosystem.

[0026] A central tensioning component, which runs through the interior of the bionic spine component, is used to apply axial prestress to the bionic spine component. Tension-linkage functional unit, which is set on the bionic spinal component, includes linkage component and functional component; Among them, by controlling the tension and relaxation of the tensioning component in the control center, the bionic spinal component can switch between a rigid working state and a flexible retraction state; In the rigid working state, the components that make up the bionic spine assembly are squeezed and meshed with each other under the action of axial prestress, and the axial pressure between the components drives the linkage assembly to move to form a functional component protruding from the surface of the bionic spine assembly. In the flexible recovery state, the axial prestress is released, the components constituting the bionic spine assembly loosely separate, the linkage components are reset, and the outer surface of the bionic spine assembly returns to a smooth state.

[0027] The top base 3 includes a support ring 301, which is composed of two semi-circular rings that are interlocked and fixed together. The support ring 301 is connected to a clamp 302 by a steel cable. The clamp 302 is used to wrap around and fix the target support tree to the branches.

[0028] To facilitate subsequent non-destructive disassembly of the device, the support ring 301 is not a single-piece ring, but rather consists of two interlocking semi-circular rings secured with clips or bolts. This modular design allows operators to easily remove the device without damaging the palm vine. The support ring 301 is suspended from the clamp 302 by a high-strength steel cable. The clamp 302 is designed as an adjustable-diameter fastener, used to wrap around and securely fix the device to the upper branches of the target support tree, bearing the overall suspension load of the device.

[0029] The ground anchoring component 4 includes two double-layer semi-circular support frames symmetrically arranged around the periphery of the palm vine plant. The two double-layer semi-circular support frames are interlocked to form a double-layer support frame 401. Anchor piles 402 are provided at the bottom of the double-layer support frame 401 to anchor the double-layer support frame 401 to the ground. The top layer of the double-layer support frame 401 is connected to the bottom of the bionic spine component through an elastic cable to form a detachable connection structure. A self-locking winding device is also provided on the double-layer support frame 401 to provide tension for the central tensioning component.

[0030] The ground anchoring component 4 also adopts a modular structure that facilitates on-site assembly. Its main body is a double-layer support frame 401 surrounding the base of the palm vine. This double-layer support frame 401 consists of two symmetrical double-layer semi-circular support frames that interlock to form a stable annular base. To ensure the base's tensile and shear stability in the soil, the bottom layer of the double-layer support frame 401 has multiple anchor piles 402 extending into the ground. During installation, the anchor piles 402 are deeply buried in the soil, thus firmly anchoring the double-layer support frame 401 to the ground and providing a reaction moment against lateral wind loads for the entire device.

[0031] As the core power source for the form switching of the control device, the double-layer support frame 401 also integrates a self-locking winding device. This device, serving as the power input end of the central tensioning component, can retract and extend the cable 6 passing through the bionic spine component. By operating this winding device, the axial prestress level inside the device can be adjusted, thereby controlling the reversible switching between component 1 and component 2 in a "loose, flexible, retractable state" and a "tight, rigid, working state." The double-layer structure design of the double-layer support frame 401 provides sufficient installation space and structural strength for the winding device, ensuring that the base does not deform under high tension.

[0032] The vertebral unit 101 adopts a hollow cylindrical structure. Adjacent vertebral units 101 are connected by a ball-and-socket joint structure. The top of the vertebral unit 101 at the top of component 1 is fixedly connected to the clamp 302 by an elastic cable. The bottom of the vertebral unit 101 at the bottom of component 1 is fixedly connected to the top extension end of the double-layer support frame 401 by an elastic cable.

[0033] The second vertebral unit 201 also adopts a hollow cylindrical structure. The two adjacent second vertebral units 201 are connected by a ball-and-socket joint structure. The top of the second vertebral unit 201 at the top of the second component 2 is fixedly connected to the bottom wall of the support ring 301 by an elastic cable. The bottom of the second vertebral unit 201 at the bottom of the second component 2 is fixedly connected to the top ring wall of the double-layer support frame 401 by an elastic cable.

[0034] Both cone-shaped unit 101 and cone-shaped unit 201 are designed as hollow cylindrical structures with a certain wall thickness. This hollow geometric configuration not only effectively reduces the overall weight of the device, facilitating transportation and installation in the forest, but more importantly, it provides the necessary internal space and movement channels for the central tensioning component and subsequent tension linkage functional units. Cone-shaped unit 101 constitutes component 1 located at the center, mainly undertaking the axial support function; while cone-shaped unit 201 constitutes component 2 surrounding the periphery, mainly undertaking the functions of enclosure protection and space definition.

[0035] In this invention, to simulate the flexibility and stability of a biological spine, adjacent vertebral units 101 and adjacent vertebral units 201 are connected using a ball-and-socket joint structure. Specifically, one end of each vertebral unit is constructed as a convex spherical surface or a wide-angle cone with a specific radius of curvature, while the other end is constructed as a concave ball-and-socket joint or an inner cone-shaped hole that matches the convex surface. During device assembly, the convex surfaces of adjacent units are embedded in the concave ball-and-socket joint, forming a hinged node that allows multi-directional rotation. This non-rigid connection method gives the biomimetic spinal assembly a very high degree of freedom in a relaxed state, allowing it to bend and fold like a soft rope.

[0036] Multiple center tensioning components are respectively installed in component 1 and component 2. The center tensioning components include pulleys 5 and cables 6. In component 1, the seat end of pulley 5 is fixedly connected to the inner top wall of the top cone unit 101. One end of cable 6 is fixedly connected to the inner bottom wall of the bottom cone unit 101, and the other end first extends upward through pulley 5, then extends downward through the inner bottom wall of the bottom cone unit 101, and finally is fixedly connected to the winding end of the self-locking winding device. In component 2, the seat end of pulley 5 is fixedly connected to the inner top wall of the top cone unit 201. One end of cable 6 is fixedly connected to the inner bottom wall of the bottom cone unit 201, and the other end first extends upward through pulley 5, then extends downward through the inner bottom wall of the bottom cone unit 201, and finally is fixedly connected to the winding end of the self-locking winding device.

[0037] To apply active control to the aforementioned biomimetic spinal assembly, this embodiment integrates independent central tensioning components within the internal cavities of Component 1 and Component 2. Instead of a simple straight-pull structure, this central tensioning component incorporates a pulley-and-reverse-rope mechanism to optimize the force transmission path and enhance the locking effect. The central tensioning component primarily consists of a pulley 5 (fixed pulley) and a cable 6.

[0038] For component 1 located at the center, the internal tensioning system is arranged as follows: the seat end of pulley 5 is fixedly connected to the inner top wall of the topmost conical unit 101 by high-strength fasteners, and pulley 5 is in an inverted suspended state. Correspondingly, one end of cable 6 serves as a fixed end, anchored to the inner bottom wall of the bottommost conical unit 101. The free section of cable 6 starts from this fixed end, extends upward along the hollow axis of the conical unit until it passes around the top pulley 5, then reverses direction by 180 degrees and extends downward again. The downward section of cable 6 passes through all the middle conical units 101, and finally passes through the guide cable hole reserved on the inner bottom wall of the bottommost conical unit 101, extending to the outside of the device and fixedly connected to the winding end of the self-locking winding device on the double-layer support frame 401.

[0039] Similarly, the same topology is used for the internal tensioning system of the outer component 2. The seat end of the pulley 5 is fixedly connected to the inner top wall of the topmost cone unit 201. One end of the cable 6 is fixed to the inner bottom wall of the bottommost cone unit 201, and the other end passes upward through the top pulley 5 and then turns downward, passing through the bottom guide cable hole and connecting to the self-locking winding device.

[0040] In this embodiment, the cable path of "bottom anchoring - top folding back - bottom driving" has significant mechanical advantages. When the self-locking winding device rotates to wind up the cable 6, the tension generated by the cable 6 at the pulley 5 is not just a unidirectional lifting force, but forms a closed-loop axial compression circuit. The cable 6 pulls the top pulley 5 downward, while the fixed end of the cable 6 pulls the bottom anchoring point upward, thereby forcing all intermediate units located between the top and bottom cone units to be subjected to strong axial compressive force.

[0041] Under this axial compressive force, the ball-and-socket mating surfaces between adjacent vertebral units are tightly compacted. At this moment, the static friction force generated between the ball-and-socket contact surfaces increases dramatically, eliminating the degrees of freedom at the joint. This causes the originally loose components 1 and 2 to instantly generate a self-locking effect, significantly increasing the overall stiffness and transforming it from a "flexible cable" into a "rigid column" capable of withstanding bending moments and pressure. Simultaneously, this axial compressive displacement also constitutes the direct power source for the subsequent movement of the anti-slip spikes and light guide wings.

[0042] Multiple linkage components are respectively installed in vertebral unit 101 and vertebral unit 201. The linkage components include a sleeve 7, with two symmetrically arranged push rods 8 fixedly connected to the top of the sleeve 7. Multiple connecting rods 9 are rotatably connected to the walls of the push rods 8. In vertebral unit 101, the sleeve 7 is embedded and slidably connected to the inner bottom of vertebral unit 101, and the bottom of the sleeve 7 penetrates the bottom wall of vertebral unit 101 and is fixedly connected to the ball-and-socket joint structure. The side wall of the push rod 8 is slidably connected to the inner side wall of vertebral unit 101. In vertebral unit 201, the sleeve 7 is embedded and slidably connected to the inner bottom of vertebral unit 201, and the bottom of the sleeve 7 penetrates the bottom wall of vertebral unit 201 and is fixedly connected to the ball-and-socket joint structure. The side wall of the push rod 8 is slidably connected to the inner side wall of vertebral unit 201.

[0043] To convert the axial tension applied by the central tensioning component into mechanical force driving the external functional components, a linked mechanical transmission system is precisely integrated into the internal cavities of both Component 1 and Component 2. This system forms a bridge connecting the internal power source and the external execution unit, and its core components include a sliding sleeve 7, symmetrically arranged push rods 8, and multiple sets of connecting rods 9. These components construct a compact linear linkage transmission mechanism within the cone-shaped unit, ensuring the device's responsiveness and synchronization during mechanical state transitions.

[0044] Specifically, the sleeve 7, as a primary transmission component, is specially designed to sense the relative displacement between the cone units. Within the internal structure of the cone unit 101, the sleeve 7 is embedded and slidably fitted into the central region of the unit's inner bottom. Crucially, the bottom of the sleeve 7 does not end at the bottom wall of the current cone unit, but rather penetrates downwards through a pre-drilled hole in the bottom wall, and is fixedly connected to the ball-and-socket fitting structure (i.e., the protruding ball or cone head) at the top of the adjacent lower cone unit. This cross-unit connection method makes the sleeve 7 effectively a direct sensor of the axial distance change between two adjacent cone units.

[0045] Connected to the top of the sleeve 7 are two symmetrically arranged push rods 8. As secondary transmission components, the bottom end of the push rod 8 is fixed to the sleeve 7, while its sidewall maintains a sliding contact with the inner sidewall of the cone unit 101. This contact restricts the push rod 8 to linear reciprocating motion only along the axial direction of the cone unit, preventing lateral sway and ensuring efficient vertical transmission of force. At a specific height on the push rod 8, multiple connecting rods 9 are rotatably connected. These connecting rods 9 serve as final-stage drive arms, converting the vertical displacement of the push rod into the specific trajectory motion required by subsequent functional components.

[0046] Similarly, in component 2, which constitutes the outer cylindrical structure, the internal transmission logic is highly consistent with that of component 1. Sleeve 7 is also slidably mounted on the inner bottom of cone unit 201, with its bottom penetrating and anchored to the ball-and-socket interface of the adjacent cone unit 201. Push rod 8 slides along the inner wall and extends outward via connecting rod 9. This standardized internal transmission module design not only reduces the complexity of manufacturing and assembly but also ensures that the inner core (component 1) and outer cylinder (component 2) exhibit completely consistent mechanical action timing when driven by the same tensioning system.

[0047] This invention cleverly achieves "displacement amplification" and "force reversal" using the above structure. When the central cable 6 is tensioned, the device enters a rigid working state, and adjacent vertebral units are squeezed and brought closer together under the action of strong axial force. As the ball-and-socket mating structure is pressed deep into the upper vertebral unit, the sleeve 7 fixed to it is forced to rise upward relative to the upper vertebral unit.

[0048] This relative upward movement directly drives the push rod 8 to move upward along the inner wall. The upward movement of the push rod 8 then causes the connecting rod 9, which is hinged to it, to displace. Since the other end of the connecting rod 9 is connected to a restricted external functional component, the connecting rod 9 will inevitably undergo angular deflection or outward pushing action under the drive of the push rod. Through this continuous mechanical transmission chain, the axial contractile force, which was originally used simply to lock the spine, is precisely decomposed and transformed into a radial driving force that drives the side wall mechanism to unfold outward, thus realizing the simultaneous activation of the device's structural rigidity and functional form.

[0049] The functional components include anti-slip spikes 10 and light guide wings 11. Both sides of the cone unit 101 are provided with through slots 102. The anti-slip spikes 10 cover the through slots 102. The bottom of the anti-slip spikes 10 is rotatably connected to the through slots 102. An elastic reset member is provided between the two. The elastic reset member is used to apply a pre-tightening force to the anti-slip spikes 10 to retract into the through slots 102. The inner wall of the anti-slip spikes 10 is rotatably connected to the connecting rod 9. Both sides of the cone unit 201 are provided with through slots 202. The light guide wings 11 cover the through slots 202. The top of the light guide wing 11 facing the palm vine is rotatably connected to the through slot 202. The bottom of the light guide wing 11 on the other side is rotatably connected to the through slot 202. The inner wall of the light guide wing 11 is rotatably connected to the connecting rod 9. The side of the light guide wing 11 facing the axis of the cone unit 201 is provided with a reflective surface. The inner diameter of the through slot 202 and the outer diameter of the light guide wing 11 increase synchronously from bottom to top.

[0050] Based on the aforementioned linkage components, the external functional execution unit of the device is designed as a dynamic surface structure capable of responding to changes in internal state. For component 1, which constitutes the central support, a pair of through slots 102 are axially spaced on its sidewall. Anti-slip spikes 10 are respectively installed at these slots. The anti-slip spikes 10 are not simple static protrusions, but rather movable components with mechanical self-adaptive capabilities. Their bottoms are rotatably connected to the inner side of the lower edge of the through slot 102 via pins, forming a root hinge point capable of withstanding vertical loads.

[0051] In terms of drive logic, the inner wall of the anti-slip spike 10 is hinged to the aforementioned connecting rod 9. When the device is in a rigid working state, the internal push rod 8 moves upward, driving the connecting rod 9 to push outward. The anti-slip spike 10 rotates outward around its bottom hinge point and protrudes from the surface of the cone unit 101. At this time, an upward acute angle is formed between the anti-slip spike 10 and the cone surface, which in spatial form constitutes a hook or support step against the direction of gravity. This geometric configuration is specifically designed to deal with the hooking mechanism of palm vines: when the fibrous whips or leaf sheath thorns on the vine stem try to find a gripping point, these upward solid steps provide an ideal mechanical interlocking interface, effectively locking the downward tendency of the vine stem due to its own weight, simulating the physical function of rough bark or branch forking. At the same time, in order to ensure smooth retrieval, an elastic reset element (such as a torsion spring or tension spring) is also provided between the anti-slip spike 10 and the through groove 102. Once the central cable loosens and the driving force disappears, the elastic reset component releases its pre-tightening force, quickly pulling the anti-slip thorns 10 back and retracting them into the through groove 102, restoring the surface of component 1 to an unobstructed, smooth cylindrical shape. This form change is crucial for the damage-free harvesting of palm vines. Because palm vines climb by hooking their barbs onto rough surfaces, when the support surface becomes extremely smooth and without any unevenness, the tendrils and thorns on the vine lose all their physical support points. This "surface castration" effect allows operators to easily pull out the smooth inner core of the device from the dense vine barbs without forcibly pulling or cutting the vines, avoiding the tearing of the vine bark or damage to the support caused by the forced separation between the traditional rigid support and the plant barbs.

[0052] For component 2, which forms the outer cylindrical structure, the design of its functional components focuses more on light environment regulation and growth path constraint. Through slots 202 are formed on both side walls of the cone-shaped unit 201, and are covered with light guide wings 11. Unlike the single function of component 1, the light guide wings 11 on component 2 have differentiated kinematic configurations based on their orientation.

[0053] Specifically, the light guide wing 11 located inside component 2, directly facing the palm vine growth channel, has its top rotatably connected to the upper edge of the through slot 202. When opened by the internal connecting rod 9, this side light guide wing 11 flips around the top hinge point towards the center of the channel, forming an inward and downward tilted "eaves-like" shielding structure. This shape serves as a reflector, refracting external light downwards into the depths of the channel. Furthermore, its downward inverted posture creates a geometric trap to prevent escape; when the vine tip attempts to emerge from the tube, it slides downwards and inwards along the smooth wing surface, thus being forcibly confined to grow within the channel. Conversely, the light guide wing 11 located outside component 2, facing away from the growth channel, uses a bottom rotatable connection. When opened, this side light guide wing 11 forms an upward-opening posture, its main function being to maximize the capture of scattered light from the forest and to assist in guiding light energy into the device system through the reflective properties of the material. To maximize the use of scarce diffused light resources in the forest, the side of the light guide wing 11 facing the axis of the cone unit 201 is equipped with a highly reflective surface (such as an aluminum-coated film or a mirror-polished layer). The open posture of the outer light guide wing can effectively capture scattered light from the gaps in the tree canopy, and through the relay refraction of the reflective surface, the light is projected to the back of the inner light guide wing, and finally introduced into the interior of the cylindrical channel, improving the photosynthetic conditions of the vine seedlings.

[0054] Furthermore, in order to utilize the phototropism of plants to achieve vertical guidance without human intervention, this embodiment introduces a gradient control mechanism for light flux in the spatial dimension. The inner diameter of the opening of the through-slot 202 and the geometric dimensions of the matching light guide wing 11 are not consistent at all heights, but follow a distribution pattern that increases synchronously from bottom to top.

[0055] The cone-shaped unit 201 at the bottom of the device has relatively small light guide wings 11, resulting in limited light transmission and reflection area when opened, making the light environment in the bottom area relatively dark. As the height increases, the size of the light guide wings 11 on the upward-arranged cone-shaped units 201 gradually increases, with the opening area at the top being significantly larger than that at the bottom. This structure creates a light intensity gradient field of "dark at the bottom and bright at the top" inside the cylindrical channel. The apical meristem of the palm vine can keenly sense this difference in light intensity, thus being induced to grow continuously upwards towards the area with stronger light intensity. This passive light-inducing strategy based on structural gradient fundamentally corrects the lateral creeping habit of understory plants caused by chaotic light, ensuring that the vines climb straight upwards along the central axis of the device, significantly improving the straightness and growth efficiency of the vines.

[0056] In summary, the device's entire lifecycle operation is based on a reversible cycle logic of "flexible installation—rigid guidance—flexible recycling," completely solving the long-standing technical challenge of separating the support structure from the mature vine stem without damage in palm vine cultivation. This process achieves system-level switching of the device's overall physical properties through a single control of the self-locking winding device mounted on the ground anchoring component 4.

[0057] During the initial installation phase, the device is in a relaxed state without any prestress. At this time, since the cable 6 in the central tensioning component is not under tension, the various vertebral units within Component 1 and Component 2 maintain a flexible connection, and there is no frictional interlocking force between the ball-and-socket mating surfaces. This makes the entire bionic spine component resemble a soft rope, exhibiting great flexibility. Operators can easily transport the folded and stored device to the forest floor and thread it through complex bushes like laying cables. During installation, the top base 3 is first fixed to the target tree trunk, and then the double-layer support frame 401 at the bottom is assembled around the palm vine seedling and anchored into the soil. At this point, the device is loosely suspended between the tree trunk and the ground, with the seedling located in the central area enclosed by Component 2.

[0058] The device then enters the activation and operational configuration phase. The operator activates the self-locking winding device on the double-layer support frame 401 to begin winding up the cable 6. As the cable 6 tightens under the guidance of the pulley 5, strong axial pressure acts on the entire spine of component 1 and component 2. During this process, the loose vertebral units are forced to move closer together along the axis, and the ball-and-socket mating structure instantly clamps and engages, eliminating joint gaps. The device rapidly hardens from a soft cable into a rigid cylinder capable of withstanding wind loads and the weight of the plants.

[0059] Simultaneously, this axial compression displacement triggers an internal mechanical linkage response. As the distance between adjacent vertebral units shortens, the sleeve 7 located inside the vertebral body is lifted by the ball-head structure below, thereby pushing the push rod 8 to slide upward along the inner wall. The displacement of the push rod 8 is transmitted to the external functional components through the connecting rod 9, overcoming the resistance of the elastic reset component, and forcibly driving the anti-slip thorns 10 on component one 1 and the light guide wings 11 on component two 2 to flip outward synchronously. At this point, the device is fully deployed in its working state: an internal light intensity gradient induction environment is constructed, and the surface is covered with thorns to prevent the vines from sliding down, providing all-round physical attachment points and optical guidance for the palm vine's whips and leaf sheath barbs.

[0060] During its long growth cycle, the palm vine relies on its specialized hook-like organs to firmly grip the protruding anti-slip thorns 10 on the surface of the device, and grows straight upwards along the interior of component 2 under the guidance of light gradient. When strong winds occur in the forest, the elastic connectors at the top and bottom allow the rigid device to sway flexibly with the host tree in sync. This dynamic following mechanism eliminates the relative displacement between the stationary support and the swaying tree, thereby preventing the vine stem from breaking or detaching due to shear tension.

[0061] When the palm vines mature and need to be harvested, or when the device has completed its guiding task and needs to be moved, the recovery phase begins. The operator simply needs to release the self-locking winding device and release the tension of cable 6. The disappearance of the axial prestress cuts off the energy source maintaining the rigidity of the device, the frictional locking effect between the cone units immediately fails, and the device reverts to a loose, flexible state.

[0062] In that instant, due to the loss of the pushing force of push rod 8, the anti-slip thorns 10 and light guide wings 11, under the rebound force of their respective elastic reset components, perform a reset action and quickly retract into the through groove. At this time, the outer surfaces of component 1 and component 2 return to a smooth, streamlined cylindrical state without any protrusions. For palm vines anchored by barbs, this abrupt change in surface texture is decisive: the fibrous tendrils and leaf thorns that were originally tightly hooked onto the thorn steps now face an extremely smooth curved surface with no point of leverage. This "surface castration" effect causes the barbs of the palm vine to instantly lose their physical interlocking ability. Operators can pull out the entire device with extremely low frictional resistance without using knives to cut or violently pull. This not only enables the reuse of the device but also avoids the scratches on the high-value vine bark caused by forced dragging during the disassembly of traditional rigid supports, achieving seamless removal and recycling of understory planting equipment.

[0063] To ensure the device's reliability during long-term operation in high-temperature, high-humidity, and strong ultraviolet radiation environments in the field, both the vertebral unit 101 and vertebral unit 201, which constitute the biomimetic spine assembly, are preferably injection molded from weather-resistant modified engineering plastics (such as polypropylene or nylon composites with added UV-resistant additives). This material selection not only endows the device with excellent corrosion resistance, effectively resisting the erosion of forest mold and acidic humus, but also significantly reduces the static load on the device suspended from tree branches by utilizing the low density characteristics of engineering plastics, avoiding growth pressure on the attached parent tree. In addition, the inner walls of the vertebral units and the mating surfaces of each joint are mirror-polished to minimize frictional losses in the internal mechanical transmission, ensuring that even minute tension changes can sensitively trigger the movement of the spikes and light guide wings.

[0064] Regarding the core transmission component running through the entire system, the cable 6 is made of high-strength, low-creep aerospace-grade galvanized steel wire rope or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber rope. This material has extremely high tensile strength and extremely low elongation, ensuring that the prestress applied by the central tensioning component will not significantly decrease due to the cable's own slackness during the palm vine's growth cycle, which can last for several years, thus guaranteeing that the device always maintains a stable and rigid working state. Meanwhile, the elastic cables connecting the ends of each component use fatigue-resistant industrial-grade rubber or a telescopic structure with built-in springs, providing necessary buffering stroke for the device's swaying deformation in strong winds and preventing breakage at rigid connection points due to stress concentration.

[0065] In this invention, the split modular design of the top base 3 and the ground anchoring component 4, with the support ring 301 and the double-layer support frame 401 adopting a semi-circular interlocking structure, allows for direct encircling assembly from the side of the vine rather than slipping it onto the top of the vine during installation. Disassembly also eliminates the need for destructive removal.

[0066] This invention creatively introduces a coupling mechanism between a central tension cable system and a biomimetic spine structure to construct an intelligent device capable of actively adapting to the entire life cycle of palm vines—"climbing—holding—harvesting." By cleverly utilizing the conversion between tension and pressure, it achieves a unified function of seemingly contradictory "rigid support" and "flexible recovery" in a single device, fundamentally changing the traditional reliance on destructive harvesting in understory planting.

[0067] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A device for assisting palm vines in climbing under forest canopies, characterized in that, include: The biomimetic spinal component includes component one (1) and multiple components two (2). Both are connected to the target support wood at one end through the top base (3) and to the ground anchoring component (4) at the other end. Component one (1) is composed of multiple hollow vertebral units one (101) nested together and connected in series, forming the central support for the climbing of the palm vine. Component two (2) is composed of multiple hollow vertebral units two (201) nested together and connected in series. Multiple components two (2) are arranged in a circular array around component one (1) to form a cylindrical climbing channel. A central tensioning component, which extends through the interior of the bionic spine assembly, is used to apply axial prestress to the bionic spine assembly. Tension-linkage functional unit, which is set on the bionic spinal component, includes linkage component and functional component; In this process, by controlling the tension and relaxation of the central tensioning component, the bionic spinal component can switch between a rigid working state and a flexible retraction state. In the rigid working state, the components that make up the bionic spine assembly are squeezed and meshed with each other under the action of axial prestress, and the axial pressure between the components drives the linkage assembly to move to form a functional component protruding from the surface of the bionic spine assembly. In the flexible recovery state, the axial prestress is released, the components constituting the bionic spine assembly loosely separate, the linkage components are reset, and the outer surface of the bionic spine assembly returns to a smooth state.

2. The device for assisting palm vines in climbing under forest canopies according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top base (3) includes a support ring (301), which is composed of two semi-circular rings that are interlocked and fixed together. The support ring (301) is connected to a clamp (302) by a steel cable. The clamp (302) is used to hug and fix the target support tree to the branches.

3. The device for assisting palm vines in climbing under forest canopies according to claim 2, characterized in that, The ground anchoring component (4) includes two double-layer semi-circular support frames arranged symmetrically around the periphery of the palm vine plant. The two double-layer semi-circular support frames are interlocked to form a double-layer support frame (401). Anchor piles (402) are provided at the bottom of the double-layer support frame (401) to anchor the double-layer support frame (401) to the ground. The top layer of the double-layer support frame (401) is connected to the bottom of the bionic spine component by an elastic cable to form a detachable connection structure. A self-locking winding device is also provided on the double-layer support frame (401) to provide tension for the central tensioning component.

4. The device for assisting palm vines in climbing under forest canopies according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first vertebral unit (101) adopts a hollow cylindrical structure. Two adjacent first vertebral units (101) are connected by a ball-and-socket joint structure. The top of the first vertebral unit (101) at the top of the first component (1) is fixedly connected to the clamp (302) by an elastic cable. The bottom of the first vertebral unit (101) at the bottom of the first component (1) is fixedly connected to the top extension end of the double-layer support frame (401) by an elastic cable.

5. The device for assisting palm vines in climbing under forest canopies according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second vertebral unit (201) also adopts a hollow cylindrical structure. The two adjacent second vertebral units (201) are connected by a ball-and-socket joint structure. The top of the second vertebral unit (201) at the top of the component (2) is fixedly connected to the bottom wall of the support ring (301) by an elastic cable. The bottom of the second vertebral unit (201) at the bottom of the component (2) is fixedly connected to the top ring wall of the double-layer support frame (401) by an elastic cable.

6. The device for assisting palm vines in climbing under forest canopies according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple central tensioning components are respectively disposed in component one (1) and component two (2). Each central tensioning component includes a pulley (5) and a cable (6). In component one (1), the seat end of the pulley (5) is fixedly connected to the inner top wall of the topmost cone unit one (101). One end of the cable (6) is fixedly connected to the inner bottom wall of the bottommost cone unit one (101), and the other end first extends upward through the pulley (5) and then extends downward through the bottommost cone unit one (101). The inner bottom wall of the pulley (5) is finally fixedly connected to the winding end of the self-locking winding device. In component two (2), the seat end of the pulley (5) is fixedly connected to the inner top wall of the top cone unit two (201). One end of the cable (6) is fixedly connected to the inner bottom wall of the bottom cone unit two (201), and the other end first extends upward through the pulley (5) and then extends downward through the inner bottom wall of the bottom cone unit two (201), and finally is fixedly connected to the winding end of the self-locking winding device.

7. The device for assisting palm vines in climbing under forest canopies according to claim 5, characterized in that, Multiple linkage components are respectively disposed within vertebral unit one (101) and vertebral unit two (201). Each linkage component includes a sleeve (7). Two symmetrically arranged push rods (8) are fixedly connected to the top of the sleeve (7). Multiple connecting rods (9) are rotatably connected to the walls of the push rods (8). In vertebral unit one (101), the sleeve (7) is embedded and slidably connected to the inner bottom of vertebral unit one (101), and the bottom of the sleeve (7) penetrates through the vertebral unit. The bottom wall of the first (101) is fixedly connected to the ball-and-socket joint structure. The side wall of the push rod (8) is slidably connected to the inner side wall of the first (101) vertebral unit. In the second (201) vertebral unit, the sleeve (7) is embedded and slidably connected to the inner bottom of the second (201) vertebral unit. The bottom of the sleeve (7) penetrates the bottom wall of the second (201) vertebral unit and is fixedly connected to the ball-and-socket joint structure. The side wall of the push rod (8) is slidably connected to the inner side wall of the second (201) vertebral unit.

8. The device for assisting palm vines in climbing under forest canopies according to claim 7, characterized in that, The functional components include anti-slip spikes (10) and light guide wings (11). A through-slot (102) is provided on both sides of the cone-shaped unit (101). The anti-slip spikes (10) cover the through-slots (102). The bottom of the anti-slip spikes (10) is rotatably connected within the through-slots (102), and an elastic reset member is provided between them. The elastic reset member is used to apply a pre-tightening force to the anti-slip spikes (10) to retract into the through-slots (102). The inner wall of the anti-slip spikes (10) is connected to the connecting rod (9). The two sides of the cone unit (201) are provided with through slots (202), and the light guide wing (11) covers the through slot (202). The top of the light guide wing (11) facing the palm vine is rotatably connected to the through slot (202), and the bottom of the light guide wing (11) on the other side is rotatably connected to the through slot (202). The inner wall of the light guide wing (11) is rotatably connected to the connecting rod (9). The side of the light guide wing (11) facing the axis of the cone unit (201) is provided with a reflective surface.

9. The device for assisting palm vines in climbing under forest canopies according to claim 8, characterized in that, The inner diameter of the through groove 2 (202) and the outer diameter of the light guide wing (11) increase synchronously from bottom to top.

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