A plant leaf segment cutting device

Abstract

This invention discloses a plant leaf segmentation and cutting device, including a base, a cutting frame mounted on the base, and a cutting mechanism movably mounted on the cutting frame. A suspended area is constructed on the base opposite to the cutting mechanism. During cutting, the portion of the plant leaf to be cut is extended into the suspended area, and the cutting mechanism passes through the suspended area to segment the plant leaf. Plant leaves are placed on the base with the portion to be cut extending into the suspended area, and then the cutting mechanism descends to pass through the suspended area to segment the plant leaf. Compared with existing technologies, this invention eliminates the need for manual hand-held cutting equipment to cut plant leaves, and the mechanized cutting by the cutting mechanism results in a smoother cut on the plant leaf, improving both the efficiency and safety of the cutting operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of plant leaf processing technology, and in particular, to a plant leaf segmentation and cutting device. Background Technology

[0002] When slicing plant leaves, the key step is removing obvious hard stems and stem tips. This usually requires separating the stem from the leaf body along the leaf base or precisely cutting it off with a scalpel. The fibrous texture of hard stems affects the overall uniformity of the leaf, hindering subsequent uniform processing. This operation improves the homogeneity and usability of the raw material.

[0003] In existing segmented cutting equipment, plant leaves are neatly stacked in a frame by hand, and then the ends of the leaves are trimmed by hand using a cutting device. However, this method is not only prone to producing uneven cuts and is inefficient, but also poses a safety risk of the operator's hand being cut. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a plant leaf segmentation and cutting device.

[0005] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0006] A plant leaf segmentation and cutting device includes a base, a cutting frame on the base, a cutting mechanism that is vertically mounted on the cutting frame, and a suspended area on the base opposite to the cutting mechanism. During cutting, the part of the plant leaf to be cut is extended into the suspended area, and the cutting mechanism passes through the suspended area to achieve segmentation and cutting of the plant leaf.

[0007] Preferably, the cutting mechanism includes two slices arranged side by side, each slice having a plurality of cutting teeth along its length. The cutting mechanism also includes a driving unit for driving the two slices to move relative to each other along their length, thereby enabling the plant leaf to be cut by the closing of adjacent cutting teeth.

[0008] Preferably, the cutting mechanism includes a strip-shaped cutter.

[0009] Preferably, the cutting mechanism is raised and lowered by a lead screw lifting mechanism.

[0010] Preferably, a pressure plate is provided on the base platform in a height-adjustable manner, and the pressure plate is used to press the non-cut parts of the plant leaves together.

[0011] Preferably, the pressure plate is raised and lowered by a cylinder, electric cylinder or hydraulic cylinder.

[0012] Preferably, a conveyor belt is provided below the suspended area.

[0013] Preferably, the cutting frame is provided with a detection element, which is adapted to detect whether there is material jamming on the slice when the slice rises to the detection position. The cutting frame is also movably provided with a baffle, which is adapted to move to a blocking position below the slice in response to the material jamming signal of the detection element. The cutting frame is also provided with a material-removing element, which is adapted to move relative to the slice to peel the material jamming off the slice. The material jamming then falls to the baffle, at which point the slice descends to cut the material jamming again.

[0014] Preferably, a drive roller is rotatably mounted on the cutting frame. Both the detection element and the material feeding element include a detection rope wound around the drive roller. A support shaft is also provided on the cutting frame. The detection rope is adapted to extend from the drive roller and pass around the support shaft, forming a vertical connecting section and a horizontal detection section. A gear is mounted on the drive roller, and a rack meshing with the gear is provided on the baffle. A torsion spring is connected to the drive roller. A locking mechanism is also provided on the drive roller, adapted to releasably fix the drive roller when it rotates to a preset position. When the material catches and rises synchronously with the slice, the material catches and pulls the horizontal detection section upwards, causing the drive roller to rotate. Subsequently, the baffle moves to the material-blocking position under the combined transmission of the gear and the rack, while the locking mechanism fixes the drive roller. As the slice continues to rise, the horizontal detection section can scrape the material catch off the slice.

[0015] Preferably, the locking mechanism includes a locking plate disposed on the cutting frame, a locking hole being disposed through the locking plate, and a locking tooth being springily disposed on the end face of the drive roller. When the locking tooth is opposite to the locking hole, the locking tooth can be engaged in the locking hole. An unlocking shaft is also springily disposed in the locking hole. In its natural state, the end of the unlocking shaft extends out of the locking hole. As the cutting mechanism descends, the cutting mechanism can push the end of the unlocking shaft, causing the unlocking shaft to extend further into the locking hole, thereby pushing the locking tooth out of the locking hole.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0017] 1. Plant leaves are placed on a base, with the portion of the leaves to be cut extending into the suspended area. The cutting mechanism then descends and passes through this suspended area to cut the plant leaves in sections. Compared to existing technologies, this invention eliminates the need for manual hand-held cutting equipment. Furthermore, the mechanized cutting mechanism results in smoother cuts on the plant leaves, improving both efficiency and safety in the cutting process.

[0018] 2. A conveyor belt is installed below the suspended area, which allows the cut materials to be quickly moved out and collected.

[0019] 3. The length of the plant leaves extending into the suspended area can be selected according to the designed cutting amount, ultimately achieving segmented cutting effects of different lengths. For example, only the stem of the plant leaf can be cut off; or, the leaf portion of the plant leaf can be cut into segments.

[0020] 4. Multiple cutting mechanisms can be set up side by side to achieve single-time multi-segment cutting of plant leaves.

[0021] 5. The cooperation of the detection component, the material feeding component, and the baffle enables automatic identification and re-cutting of the cut-out material, making the system of the present invention more reliable. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a front view of the embodiment.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a side view of the embodiment;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a top view of the structure of an embodiment;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the drive roller structure;

[0026] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of part A;

[0027] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged view of part B.

[0028] Reference numerals: 1. Base; 2. Cutting frame; 3. Cutting mechanism; 4. Suspended area; 5. Slice; 6. Cutting tooth; 7. Drive unit; 8. Screw lifting mechanism; 9. Pressure plate; 10. Conveyor belt; 11. Detection piece; 12. Baffle; 13. Material feeding piece; 14. Drive roller; 15. Detection rope; 16. Support shaft; 17. Vertical connecting section; 18. Horizontal detection section; 19. Gear; 20. Rack; 21. Contact switch; 22. Locking mechanism; 23. Locking plate; 24. Locking hole; 25. Locking tooth; 26. Unlocking shaft; 27. Unlocking rod; 28. Plant leaf; 29. ​​Material jamming; 30. Brush bristles. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments. 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.

[0030] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, a plant leaf segmentation and trimming device includes a base 1 and a trimming frame 2 mounted on the base 1. The base 1 has a suspended area 4, and the trimming frame 2 has a trimming mechanism 3 that can be raised and lowered, with the trimming mechanism 3 and the suspended area 4 being vertically opposite each other. During trimming, the portion of the plant leaf 28 to be trimmed can be inserted into the suspended area 4, and then the trimming mechanism 3 is lowered to pass through the suspended area 4 to achieve segmentation and trimming of the plant leaf 28. For example, the length of the plant leaf 28 inserted into the suspended area 4 can be selected according to the designed trimming amount, ultimately achieving segmentation and trimming effects of different lengths.

[0031] In possible examples, multiple sets of cutting mechanisms 3 can be arranged side by side. For example, in the case where two sets of cutting mechanisms 3 are arranged side by side, the two cutting mechanisms 3 can cooperate to achieve three-segment cutting of plant leaves.

[0032] See Figure 1 , Figure 3 In a possible example, the suspended area 4 of the base 1 is constructed on the side, that is, the cutting frame 2 is set on the side of the base 1, and the suspended area 4 is formed by utilizing the edge of the base 1. In possible cases, the cutting frame 2 can be set on both sides of the base 1, thereby enabling simultaneous cutting of both ends of the plant leaves 28. As another configuration, the suspended area 4 can also be constructed in a hollow form on the platform of the base 1, with the cutting frame 2 and the cutting mechanism 3 mounted above the suspended area 4.

[0033] In some embodiments, the cutting mechanism 3 may be a strip-shaped cutter (not shown), for example, a screw lifting mechanism 8 connected to the cutter may be provided on the cutting frame 2. The cutter is driven downward through the suspended area 4 by the screw lifting mechanism 8, thereby cutting the plant leaf 28.

[0034] In other examples, the cutting mechanism 3 may include a connecting plate and two slices 5 arranged side by side on the side of the connecting plate, with a driving unit 7 connected to the ends of the two slices 5. The driving unit 7 can drive the two slices 5 to move relative to each other along the length direction. Several cutting teeth 6 are also provided on the slices 5 along the length direction. As the two slices 5 move relative to each other, the adjacent cutting teeth 6 on the two slices 5 will close, thereby cutting the plant leaves 28 like scissors.

[0035] For example, the drive unit 7 can be a motor and a drive plate (not shown) eccentrically connected to the output shaft of the motor, and the aforementioned slice 5 is connected to the drive plate. The specific connection method between the drive unit 7 and the slice 5 can also be seen in a handheld reciprocating saw, for example, one slice 5 can be fixedly set, and the other slice 5 can be horizontally attached to the side of the fixed slice 5 by means of a key. The relative movement of the two slices 5 is achieved by driving the moving slice 5 through the drive unit 7.

[0036] The connecting plate can also be connected to the lead screw lifting mechanism 8. Driven by the lead screw lifting mechanism 8, the two slices 5 will gradually descend and pass through the suspended area 4. During this process, the two slices 5 move relative to each other, cutting the plant leaves 28 in a manner similar to scissors or a cutting saw. It can be understood that, compared to the strip-shaped cutter mentioned above, the form of the two slices 5 can achieve the cutting of a larger number of plant leaves 28 in a single operation, making the cutting operation more efficient.

[0037] For example, the upper and lower ends of the slice 5 can be provided with several cutting teeth 6. During the process of the slice 5 rising, the cutting teeth 6 located at the upper end of the slice 5 can help to complete the cutting of the plant leaf 28, such as reducing the situation of insufficient cutting of the plant leaf 28 and "broken but still connected".

[0038] See Figure 1 In some embodiments, a pressure plate 9 is also provided on the base 1, which can be raised and lowered by a cylinder, electric cylinder or hydraulic cylinder. The pressure plate 9 can press the non-cut parts of the plant leaves 28, thereby preventing the plant leaves 28 from shifting, shaking or affecting the normal cutting operation during the cutting process.

[0039] A conveyor belt 10 can also be installed below the suspended area 4 to receive the cut plant leaves 28 that fall from the suspended area 4, thereby making it convenient to quickly remove and collect the plant leaves 28.

[0040] Especially in the implementation of the embodiment where the cutting mechanism 3 is a slice, the inventors discovered that as the cutting teeth 6 wear down, or when the plant leaves 28 are cut in an unexpected tilted posture, the slice 5 is prone to jamming 29. That is, the plant leaves 28 may become stuck on the slice 5 due to incomplete cutting, and the jammed material 29 will rise synchronously with the rise of the slice 5. This fault requires manual handling, and if left unattended, it may cause abnormalities in subsequent cutting operations.

[0041] To address the aforementioned technical issues, this disclosure further includes a detection element 11, a material-pushing element 13, and a movably mounted baffle 12 on the cutting frame 2. The detection element 11 detects whether the rising slice 5 is stuck (material 29). If a stuck material 29 is detected, the baffle 12 responds to the stuck material 29 signal from the detection element 11 and moves to a blocking position below the slice. Subsequently, the material-pushing element 13 peels the stuck material 29 from the slice 5. The peeled-off stuck material 29 falls onto the baffle 12 under gravity, allowing the slice 5 to descend and re-cut the stuck material 29.

[0042] In some embodiments, the detection element 11 may be an infrared sensor (not shown), for example, the infrared sensor may be mounted on the cutting frame 2 to emit a transverse detection beam. If the rising slice does not jam 29, the detection beam of the infrared sensor is not blocked; otherwise, it can be determined that jam 29 has occurred.

[0043] The baffle 12 can be automatically moved to the blocking position (not shown) by means of a motor, pneumatic or hydraulic means. For example, the drive unit of the baffle 12 can be connected to the controller along with the infrared sensor, and the controller can realize the action sequence of the detection unit 11 detecting the jammed material 29 and the baffle 12 automatically moving out.

[0044] The material ejector 13 can be a liftable push plate (not shown) or an air nozzle (not shown) located on the top of the cutting frame 2. The material 29 is peeled off from the slice 5 by the push of the push plate or the airflow. It can be understood that the peeled material 29 can fall onto the baffle 12. Since the height distance between the baffle 12 and the slice 5 at the detection position is small, the material 29 can be supported on the baffle 12 relatively quickly. At this time, the expected cutting position of the material 29 is offset from the slice 5 by a small range. Then the slice 5 descends and cuts the material 29 again at the expected cutting position.

[0045] If the baffle 12 is not set and the material 29 is allowed to fall back to its original height before cutting, on the one hand, the slice 5 needs to be moved for another full stroke to cut, resulting in reduced efficiency; on the other hand, since the material 29 will be pulled to a certain extent during the synchronous lifting process with the slice 5, the material 29 falling back to its original height will be deviated from the expected cutting position, resulting in a decrease in the accuracy of the cutting operation.

[0046] See Figures 3 to 6 In another configuration, a drive roller 14 is rotatably mounted on the cutting frame 2, and both the detection component 11 and the feeding component 13 include a detection rope 15 wound around the drive roller 14. Furthermore, a support shaft 16 is also provided on the cutting frame 2 above the drive roller 14, and the detection rope 15 extending from the drive roller 14 extends upward and passes around the support shaft 16, thereby forming a vertical connecting section 17 and a horizontal detection section 18.

[0047] In a preferred example, two driving rollers 14 and two support shafts 16 can each be arranged symmetrically. Thus, the detection rope 15 can be formed into a "冂"-shaped structure, that is, it has a horizontal detection section 18 and two vertical connection sections 17.

[0048] Among them, a gear 19 is further arranged on the driving roller 14, and a rack 20 meshing with the gear 19 is arranged on the baffle 12. And a torsion spring (not shown in the figure) and a locking mechanism 22 are also connected to the driving roller 14. The present disclosure can have the following operation process:

[0049] 1. Insert the to-be-cut part of the plant leaf 28 into the suspended area 4, and then control the slicer 5 to descend to cut the plant leaf 28 in segments;

[0050] 2. The slicer 5 rises and resets;

[0051] 201. If there is no material jamming 29 on the slicer 5, re-execute the above step 1;

[0052] 202. If material jamming 29 occurs on the slicer 5, the material jamming 29 will rise synchronously with the slicer 5 until the material jamming 29 abuts against and pulls up the horizontal detection section 18. Since the driving roller 14 has rotational freedom at this time, the pulled detection rope 15 can pull the driving roller 14 to rotate. Subsequently, the baffle 12 will move to the material blocking position under the combined transmission of the gear 19 and the rack 20, and at the same time, the locking mechanism 22 can releasably fix the driving roller 14 at a preset position in the locked state;

[0053] 203. The slicer 5 continues to rise. Since the driving roller 14 does not have rotational freedom at this time, the horizontal detection section 18 will be in a tensioned state, so as to scrape the material jamming 29 off the slicer 5;

[0054] 204. The slicer 5 descends slightly and cuts the material jamming 29 supported on the baffle 12 again;

[0055] 205. After the re-cutting action is completed, the slicer 5 can be controlled to rise again to re-execute the steps of 201, 203, and 204 above;

[0056] 206. If the situation of material jamming 29 is completely removed, the locking mechanism 22 can be controlled to release the fixed state of the driving roller 14. Under the action of the torsion spring, the driving roller 14 rotates to the initial state, and the baffle 12 moves back to the initial position. The slicer 5 can normally descend to cut the plant leaf 28 at the suspended area 4.

[0057] For example, the locking mechanism 22 can be in the form of an electromagnet or an automatic gripper (not shown). A contact switch 21 can be provided at the support shaft 16 to sense whether the lateral detection section 18 is pulled upward, thereby determining whether the jamming 29 has occurred, continues, or is released. In this configuration, the detection rope 15 and the baffle 12 are mechanically connected, which provides greater mechanical reliability compared to the previous electrified embodiment, thus reducing the failure rate of the cutting device disclosed herein.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism 22 may include a locking plate 23 disposed on the cutting frame 2, with a locking hole 24 extending through the locking plate 23, and locking teeth 25 springily disposed on the end face of the drive roller 14 via an elastic element such as a spring. When the drive roller 14 is pulled and rotated to the aforementioned "preset position where the drive roller 14 is fixed in the locked state", the locking teeth 25 are opposite to the locking hole 24, thereby engaging the locking teeth 25 into the locking hole 24 to maintain the relative fixation of the drive roller 14.

[0059] An unlocking shaft 26 is spring-loaded within the locking hole 24. In its natural state, the end of the unlocking shaft 26 extends out of the locking hole 24, maintaining space within the locking hole 24 for the locking teeth 25 to engage. In step 206, the descent of the slice 5 can be directly controlled. For example, the edge of the connecting plate can abut against and push the end of the unlocking shaft 26, causing the unlocking shaft 26 to further insert into the locking hole 24. The end of the unlocking shaft 26 within the locking hole 24 can then push the locking teeth 25 out of the locking hole 24. Subsequently, under the action of the torsion spring, the drive roller 14 rotates to its initial state, causing the baffle 12 to move back to its initial position. The slice 5 can then descend normally to cut the plant leaves 28 in the suspended area 4. See also Figure 5 An unlocking lever 27 can also be provided on the edge of the connecting plate, and the unlocking lever 27 can be used to push the unlocking shaft 26 to perform the above-mentioned action process.

[0060] For example, a brush bristle 30 or a wiping cloth can be provided on the end face of the baffle 12. During the process of the baffle 12 moving back to the initial position, the brush bristle 30 can wipe the cutting teeth 6 of the slice 5 to prevent and reduce the situation where the cutting teeth 6 are stuck due to the reduced cutting sharpness caused by the adhesion of debris, plant juice and dust.

[0061] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the forms disclosed herein and should not be construed as excluding other embodiments. It can be used in various other combinations, modifications, and environments, and can be altered within the scope of the concept described herein through the above teachings or related technologies or knowledge. Modifications and variations made by those skilled in the art that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A plant leaf segmentation and cutting device, characterized in that: Includes a base (1), on which a cutting frame (2) is provided, and a cutting mechanism (3) is provided on the cutting frame (2) in a height-adjustable manner. A suspended area (4) is constructed on the base (1) opposite to the cutting mechanism (3). During cutting, the part of the plant leaf to be cut is extended into the suspended area (4), and the cutting mechanism (3) passes through the suspended area (4) to realize the segmented cutting of the plant leaf. The cutting mechanism (3) includes two slices (5) arranged side by side. Each slice (5) has a number of cutting teeth (6) arranged along the length direction. The cutting mechanism (3) also includes a driving unit (7). The driving unit (7) is used to drive the two slices (5) to move relative to each other along the length direction, so that the plant leaves are cut by closing the adjacent cutting teeth (6). The cutting frame (2) is provided with a detection element (11), which is adapted to detect whether there is a jammed material on the slice (5) when the slice (5) rises to the detection position. The cutting frame (2) is also movably provided with a baffle (12), which is adapted to respond to the jamming signal of the detection element (11) and move to a blocking position below the slice (5). The cutting frame (2) is also provided with a material-pushing element (13), which is adapted to move relative to the slice (5) to peel the jammed material off the slice (5). The jammed material then falls to the baffle (12), at which time the slice (5) descends to cut the jammed material again.

2. The plant leaf segmentation and cutting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cutting mechanism (3) includes a strip-shaped cutter.

3. The plant leaf segmentation and cutting device according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that: The cutting mechanism (3) is lifted and lowered by the drive of the lead screw lifting mechanism (8).

4. The plant leaf segmentation and cutting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A pressure plate (9) is provided on the base (1) in a height-adjustable manner. The pressure plate (9) is used to press the non-cut parts of the plant leaves together.

5. The plant leaf segmentation and cutting device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The pressure plate (9) is lifted and lowered by a cylinder, electric cylinder or hydraulic cylinder.

6. The plant leaf segmentation and cutting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A conveyor belt (10) is provided below the suspended area (4).

7. The plant leaf segmentation and cutting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cutting frame (2) is rotatably equipped with a drive roller (14). The detection component (11) and the material feeding component (13) both include a detection rope (15) wound around the drive roller (14). The cutting frame (2) is also equipped with a support shaft (16). The detection rope (15) is adapted to extend from the drive roller (14) and pass around the support shaft (16), forming a vertical connecting section (17) and a horizontal detection section (18). A gear (19) is provided on the drive roller (14), a rack (20) meshing with the gear (19) is provided on the baffle (12), and a torsion spring is connected to the drive roller (14); The drive roller (14) is also provided with a locking mechanism (22), which is adapted to release and fix the drive roller (14) when it rotates to a preset position; When the material is raised synchronously with the slice (5), the material pulls the transverse detection section (18) upward, causing the drive roller (14) to be pulled and rotate. Then the baffle (12) moves to the material blocking position under the cooperation of the gear (19) and the rack (20), while the locking mechanism (22) fixes the drive roller (14). As the slice (5) continues to rise, the transverse detection section (18) is able to scrape the clipping material off the slice (5).

8. The plant leaf segmentation and cutting device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The locking mechanism (22) includes a locking plate (23) disposed on the cutting frame (2), a locking hole (24) is provided through the locking plate (23), and a locking tooth (25) is provided on the end face of the drive roller (14) in a spring-loaded manner. When the locking tooth (25) is opposite to the locking hole (24), the locking tooth (25) can be engaged in the locking hole (24). An unlocking shaft (26) is also spring-loaded inside the locking hole (24). In its natural state, the end of the unlocking shaft (26) extends out of the locking hole (24). As the cutting mechanism (3) descends, the cutting mechanism (3) can push the end of the unlocking shaft (26) so that the unlocking shaft (26) extends further into the locking hole (24), thereby pushing the locking tooth (25) out of the locking hole (24).

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