Tomato pollination device and method based on impulse air flow induced inflorescence vibration

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of intelligent equipment for facility agriculture, and particularly relates to a tomato pollination device and method based on impulse airflow induced inflorescence vibration, the tomato pollination device comprising: a handle assembly, an air source assembly, a pulse control assembly, a gas mixing and buffering assembly, and a nozzle assembly. The tomato pollination device uses periodic aerodynamic force of impulse airflow to apply to inflorescence, so that pollen release can be realized without mechanical contact, and a non-contact vibration pollination mechanism is realized. Stable vibration response is formed through the periodic airflow force, and pollen release efficiency and pollination consistency inside anther are improved. Meanwhile, the vibration state of the inflorescence can be controlled and adjusted by adjusting the pulse efficiency, airflow intensity and action time, so as to adapt to the pollination requirements of different varieties and different growth stages of tomatoes, and realize a controllable dynamic pollination process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of intelligent equipment technology for facility agriculture, and in particular to a tomato pollination device and method based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration. Background Technology

[0002] Tomatoes are typical self-pollinating crops. Their pollen is usually enclosed in tubular structures inside the anthers and is not easily released naturally. During pollination, external mechanical action or vibration is required to deform or vibrate the anthers, thereby releasing the pollen and allowing it to fall onto the stigma to complete pollination. Currently, the main pollination methods for tomatoes in greenhouse agriculture include bumblebee pollination, artificial mechanical vibration pollination, and airflow-assisted pollination.

[0003] However, relying on biological pollination methods such as bumblebees is highly limited by environmental conditions and is difficult to adapt to the highly controllable environment of facility agriculture; artificial mechanical vibration methods have low efficiency due to contact operation, high labor intensity and risk of inflorescence damage; continuous airflow pollination methods can only produce inflorescence swaying, but cannot form stable and controllable vibration, resulting in unstable pollen release efficiency; in addition, existing pollination methods lack a controllable dynamic control mechanism for the inflorescence vibration process.

[0004] Therefore, existing technologies still need to be improved and developed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide a tomato pollination device and method based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration, aiming to solve the problem that existing pollination devices cannot efficiently and stably realize the pollen release and pollination process.

[0006] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows: A tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration, comprising: The handle assembly is used to control the start / stop and working mode switching of the tomato pollination device; An air source assembly is connected to one end of the handle assembly; the air source assembly is used to provide a continuous airflow. A pulse control component is connected to the end of the air source component opposite to the handle component; the pulse control component is used to modulate the continuous airflow into a periodic pulse airflow. A gas mixing buffer assembly is connected to the end of the pulse control assembly that is away from the gas source assembly; the gas mixing buffer assembly is used to perform pressure shaping on the periodic pulsed gas flow. A nozzle assembly is connected to the end of the gas mixing buffer assembly that is away from the pulse control assembly; the nozzle assembly is used to direct the pressure-shaped periodic pulse airflow onto the tomato inflorescence.

[0007] The tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration includes a handle assembly comprising a handle housing, a start / stop switch, an air intake device, a pulse adjustment knob, a control circuit board, a power indicator light, a power module, and a battery compartment cover; the air intake device, the start / stop switch, the pulse adjustment knob, the control circuit board, the power indicator light, the power module, and the battery compartment cover are arranged sequentially from top to bottom inside the handle housing. The air intake device, the start / stop switch, the pulse adjustment knob, the control circuit board, the power indicator light, and the power module are electrically connected via a wiring harness.

[0008] The tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration includes an air source assembly comprising an air source housing and an air pump mounted inside the air source housing via a fixed bracket; the air pump has an air inlet and an air outlet, and a filter assembly is provided at the air inlet; the air inlet is connected to the air intake device.

[0009] The tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration includes a pulse control component comprising a valve body mounting base, a solenoid valve disposed above the valve body mounting base, an inlet / outlet valve assembly disposed below the valve body mounting base, a pulse width modulation control module, a drive circuit board, and a pulse signal input terminal electrically connected to the drive circuit board.

[0010] The tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration is described above, wherein the inlet and outlet valve group is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet; the air inlet is connected to the air source component through a pipe, and the air outlet is connected to the gas mixing buffer component through a pipe; The pulse signal input terminal, the drive circuit board, the pulse width modulation control module, and the solenoid valve are sequentially electrically connected via a wiring harness; the pulse signal input terminal is connected to the pulse adjustment knob of the handle assembly via a connecting wiring harness.

[0011] The tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration includes a gas mixing buffer assembly comprising a gas mixing buffer shell, a buffer cavity disposed inside the gas mixing buffer shell, and a fixed flange for connecting the two ends of the gas mixing buffer shell to the pulse control assembly and the nozzle assembly, respectively; the buffer cavity includes a buffer section, a rectifier net, and a guide plate disposed along the direction of the pulsed airflow.

[0012] The tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration, wherein the nozzle assembly is a single nozzle structure or a multi-hole array nozzle structure.

[0013] The tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration is described above, wherein the nozzle outlet diameter of the single nozzle structure is 5mm-8mm; the number of nozzle holes in the multi-hole array nozzle structure is 9-12, and the diameter of each nozzle hole is 1mm-2mm.

[0014] A tomato pollination method based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration includes the following steps: Find the location of the tomato inflorescence; The tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration is used to apply pulsed airflow to the tomato inflorescence to complete the tomato pollination.

[0015] The tomato pollination method based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration includes the following parameters: pulse frequency of 10Hz-50Hz, jet wind speed of 0.5m / s-1.5m / s, single action time of 1s-3s, and action distance between nozzle and inflorescence of 150mm-400mm.

[0016] Beneficial Effects: This invention provides a tomato pollination device and method based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration. The tomato pollination device includes: a handle assembly for controlling the start / stop and working mode switching of the tomato pollination device; an air source assembly connected to one end of the handle assembly; the air source assembly provides continuous airflow; a pulse control assembly connected to the end of the air source assembly away from the handle assembly; the pulse control assembly modulates the continuous airflow into periodic pulsed airflow; a gas mixing buffer assembly connected to the end of the pulse control assembly away from the air source assembly; the gas mixing buffer assembly shapes the pressure of the periodic pulsed airflow; and a nozzle assembly connected to the end of the gas mixing buffer assembly away from the pulse control assembly; the nozzle assembly directs the pressure-shaped periodic pulsed airflow onto the tomato inflorescence. This invention utilizes a tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration. By applying periodic aerodynamic force to the inflorescence through pulsed airflow, pollen release is achieved without mechanical contact, avoiding physical damage to the inflorescence caused by contact pollination and realizing a non-contact vibration pollination mechanism. Compared to continuous airflow that only produces an oscillating effect, this invention forms a stable vibration response through periodic airflow dynamics, improving pollen release efficiency and pollination consistency within the anthers. Simultaneously, the vibration state of the inflorescence can be controllably adjusted by regulating the pulse efficiency, airflow intensity, and duration of action, thus adapting to the pollination needs of different tomato varieties and growth stages, achieving a controllable kinetic pollination process. Furthermore, the tomato pollination device provided by this invention does not rely on biological pollination sources and can operate stably in closed or highly controlled greenhouse environments, making it suitable for large-scale facility agriculture production. In addition, the device adopts a modular pneumatic structure design, which can be implemented using air pumps, solenoid valves, and nozzle assemblies, making it easy to integrate with handheld devices or automated systems, resulting in a simple structure and ease of engineering implementation. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a side view of a tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration according to the present invention; Figure 2 This is a front view of a tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration according to the present invention; Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the handle assembly. Figure 4 This is a partial structural diagram of the gas source component; Figure 5 This is a partial structural diagram of the pulse control component; Figure 6 This is a partial structural diagram of the gas-mixing buffer assembly; Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a nozzle assembly with a single nozzle structure. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a nozzle assembly consisting of a multi-hole array nozzle structure. Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration. Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: Handle assembly 10, Handle housing 11, Start / Stop switch 12, Air intake device 13, Pulse adjustment knob 14, Control circuit board 15, Power indicator light 16, Power module 17, Battery compartment cover 18, Air source assembly 20, Air source housing 21, Fixing bracket 22, Air pump 23, Air inlet 231, Air outlet 232, Filter assembly 233, Shock absorber 24, Pulse control assembly 30, Valve body fixing seat 31, Solenoid valve 32, Inlet / outlet valve group 33, Air inlet interface 331, Air outlet interface 332, Pulse width modulation control module 34, Drive circuit board 35, Pulse signal input terminal 36, Mixing buffer assembly 40, Mixing buffer housing 41, Buffer cavity 42, Buffer section 421, Rectifier mesh 422, Guide plate 423, Fixing flange 43, Air inlet 44, Air outlet 45, Nozzle assembly 50. Detailed Implementation

[0018] This invention provides a tomato pollination device and method based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration. To make the objectives, technical solutions, and effects of this invention clearer and more explicit, the invention is further described in detail below. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0019] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. It should also be understood that terms such as those defined in general dictionaries should be understood to have the same meaning as in the context of the prior art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless specifically defined as herein.

[0020] Currently, the main pollination methods for tomatoes in facility agriculture include bumblebee pollination, artificial mechanical vibration pollination, and airflow-assisted pollination.

[0021] 1) Bumblebee pollination methods and their limitations Bumblebee pollination involves the high-frequency vibration of their wings during flight, which in turn causes the inflorescence to vibrate, releasing pollen. While this method is highly efficient in traditional greenhouse environments, it has gradually revealed significant shortcomings in modern facility agriculture: bumblebee activity decreases in highly enclosed or LED-lit environments; greenhouse environmental control (such as low temperature, high humidity, and CO2 control) affects bumblebee survival and behavioral stability; there are risks of pest and disease transmission and high costs associated with biological management; and standardization and data-driven control are difficult to achieve. Therefore, this method is ill-suited to the highly controllable production systems of modern facility agriculture.

[0022] 2) Artificial mechanical vibration pollination method and its limitations Manual mechanical vibration typically uses electric vibrators or contact vibrators to directly vibrate the inflorescence, causing pollen to fall off. This method has several drawbacks: it requires manual operation on each plant individually, resulting in high labor intensity; contact operation can easily damage the inflorescence structure; vibration consistency depends on the operator's experience, leading to poor stability; and it is inefficient, making it difficult to scale up for large-scale greenhouse production. Therefore, the application of this method in large-scale facility agriculture is limited.

[0023] 3) Continuous airflow pollination method and its limitations To reduce labor costs, some existing technologies use continuous airflow to agitate the inflorescence, replacing mechanical vibration. However, this method still has significant shortcomings: continuous airflow mainly produces swaying of the inflorescence rather than effective vibration, resulting in limited pollen release efficiency from the anthers; the airflow force is unevenly distributed, making it difficult to form a stable periodic dynamic; it easily causes localized dehydration or uneven pollen loss; and pollination consistency is poor, making it difficult to guarantee fruit set stability. Therefore, continuous airflow cannot replace the effect of bumblebee vibration pollination.

[0024] Specifically, existing tomato pollination technologies share the following common problems: they rely on contact or biological vibration sources, making standardized control difficult; continuous airflow cannot generate effective periodic vibrations; the pollination process lacks a precise dynamic control mechanism; and they are difficult to adapt to the demands of modern facility agriculture for highly consistent and efficient pollination.

[0025] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a pollination device and method that can apply periodic non-contact vibrational power to tomato inflorescences through controllable aerodynamics, so as to improve pollen release efficiency and pollination stability.

[0026] Based on this, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the present invention provides a tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration, comprising: Handle assembly 10 is used to control the start and stop of the tomato pollination device and the switching of its working mode; An air source assembly 20 is connected to one end of the handle assembly 10; the air source assembly 20 is used to provide a continuous airflow. A pulse control component 30 is connected to the end of the air source component 20 that is away from the handle component 10; the pulse control component 30 is used to modulate the continuous airflow into a periodic pulse airflow. The gas mixing buffer assembly 40 is connected to the end of the pulse control assembly 30 that is away from the gas source assembly 20; the gas mixing buffer assembly 40 is used to perform pressure shaping on the periodic pulse airflow. The nozzle assembly 50 is connected to the end of the gas mixing buffer assembly 40 that is away from the pulse control assembly 30; the nozzle assembly 50 is used to direct the pressure-shaped periodic pulse airflow onto the tomato inflorescence.

[0027] In this embodiment, the tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration applies periodic aerodynamic force to the inflorescence through pulsed airflow, achieving pollen release without mechanical contact. This avoids the physical damage to the inflorescence caused by contact pollination, realizing a non-contact vibration pollination mechanism. Compared to continuous airflow that only produces an oscillating effect, this invention forms a stable vibration response through periodic airflow dynamics, improving the pollen release efficiency and pollination consistency within the anthers. Simultaneously, the vibration state of the inflorescence can be controllably adjusted by regulating the pulse efficiency, airflow intensity, and duration of action, thereby adapting to the pollination needs of different tomato varieties and different growth stages, achieving a controllable kinetic pollination process. Furthermore, the tomato pollination device provided by this invention does not rely on biological pollination sources and can operate stably in closed or highly controlled greenhouse environments, making it suitable for large-scale facility agriculture production. Additionally, the device adopts a modular pneumatic structure design, which can be implemented using air pumps, solenoid valves, and nozzle assemblies, making it easy to integrate into handheld devices or automated systems, resulting in a simple structure and ease of engineering implementation.

[0028] Specifically, the tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration provided by this invention applies periodic non-contact power to the inflorescence through pulsed airflow, causing controlled vibration of the inflorescence, thereby achieving an efficient and stable pollen release and pollination process. The handle assembly 10 is used for overall gripping and operation control; the air source assembly 20 provides a stable airflow; the pulse control assembly 30 modulates the continuous airflow into a periodic pulsed airflow; the mixing and buffering assembly 40 performs pressure rectification and flow stabilization of the pulsed airflow; and the nozzle assembly 50 directs the pressure-shaped pulsed airflow onto the tomato inflorescence to induce periodic reciprocating vibration of the inflorescence and promote pollen release from the anthers, thus achieving pollination. Furthermore, the frequency, wind speed, action distance, and action time of the pulsed airflow are adjustable to adapt to the pollination needs of different tomato varieties and different flowering stages; simultaneously, the pulsed airflow operates as a discontinuous impact aerodynamic force, rather than a continuous steady-state airflow. In addition, this device is suitable for greenhouse or facility agriculture environments and can achieve tomato pollination in low-wind or enclosed environments.

[0029] In some implementations, such as Figure 3 As shown, the handle assembly 10 includes a handle housing 11, a start / stop switch 12, an air intake device 13, a pulse adjustment knob 14, a control circuit board 15, a power indicator light 16, a power module 17, and a battery compartment cover 18. The air intake device 13, the start / stop switch 12, the pulse adjustment knob 14, the control circuit board 15, the power indicator light 16, the power module 17, and the battery compartment cover 18 are arranged sequentially from top to bottom inside the handle housing 11. The air intake device 13, the start / stop switch 12, the pulse adjustment knob 14, the control circuit board 15, the power indicator light 16, and the power module 17 are electrically connected via wiring harnesses to achieve control and adjustment. The handle assembly 10 is mainly used for handheld operation and has a built-in power module (such as a 12V lithium battery pack). The start / stop and working mode switching of the tomato pollination device can be controlled via the start / stop switch 12 and the pulse adjustment knob 14.

[0030] In some embodiments, the handle housing 11 is provided with a through hole for use as an air inlet of the air intake device 13.

[0031] In some implementations, such as Figure 4As shown, the air source assembly 20 includes an air source housing 21 and an air pump 23 disposed inside the air source housing 21 via a fixing bracket 22. The air pump 23 has an air inlet 231 and an air outlet 232, and a filter assembly 233 is provided at the air inlet 231. The air inlet 231 is connected to the air intake device 13. The air source assembly 20 can provide a continuous and stable airflow with a flow rate range of 30L / min-50L / min. Preferably, the air pump 23 is a miniature air pump; the filter assembly 233 is a filter screen.

[0032] Specifically, the air inlet 231 is connected to the air intake device 13, and a filter is built into the air inlet 231 to purify the air. The air pump 23 is fixed to the fixed bracket 22 by a shock-absorbing pad 24, which serves to fix and dampen the air pump. Furthermore, the air pump 23 is electrically connected to the control circuit board 15 through a wiring harness to achieve the function of starting and stopping the airflow.

[0033] In some implementations, such as Figure 5 As shown, the pulse control component 30 includes a valve body mounting base 31, a solenoid valve 32 disposed above the valve body mounting base 31, an inlet / outlet valve assembly 33 disposed below the valve body mounting base 31, a pulse width modulation control module 34, a drive circuit board 35, and a pulse signal input terminal 36 electrically connected to the drive circuit board 35. Using the above pulse control component, periodic opening and closing or flow modulation of the airflow can be achieved, thereby forming a pulsed airflow.

[0034] In some embodiments, the inlet and outlet valve assembly 33 is provided with an inlet port 331 and an outlet port 332; the inlet port 331 is connected to the air source assembly 20 through a pipe, and the outlet port 332 is connected to the mixing buffer assembly 40 through a pipe; the pulse signal input terminal 36, the drive circuit board 35, the pulse width modulation control module 34, and the solenoid valve 32 are sequentially electrically connected through a wiring harness; the pulse signal input terminal 36 is connected to the pulse adjustment knob 14 through a connecting wiring harness.

[0035] Specifically, the solenoid valve, the pulse width modulation (PWM) control module, the drive circuit board, and the pulse signal input terminal are connected via a wiring harness to achieve signal control, transmission, and driving of the solenoid valve. The air inlet is connected to the air inlet in the air source assembly 20 to allow airflow; the pulse signal input terminal is electrically connected to the pulse adjustment knob in the handle assembly 10 via a wiring harness to achieve pulse signal adjustment. The pulse control assembly 30 uses a solenoid valve and PWM modulation control method to modulate the continuous airflow into a periodic pulse airflow, with an adjustable pulse frequency range of 10Hz-50Hz. The pulse airflow applies periodic non-contact aerodynamic force to the inflorescence, causing forced vibration or quasi-harmonic vibration, thereby increasing pollen release efficiency.

[0036] In some implementations, such as Figure 6 As shown, the gas-mixing buffer assembly 40 includes a gas-mixing buffer housing 41, a buffer cavity 42 disposed inside the gas-mixing buffer housing 41, and a fixing flange 43 for connecting both ends of the gas-mixing buffer housing 41 to the pulse control assembly 30 and the nozzle assembly 50, respectively. The buffer cavity 42 includes a buffer section 421, a rectifier mesh 422, and a guide plate 423 disposed along the direction of the pulsed airflow. Using the gas-mixing buffer assembly with the above structure, pressure smoothing and flow shaping can be performed on the periodic pulsed airflow modulated by the pulse control assembly 30, eliminating sudden airflow changes, reducing airflow fluctuations, and improving the stability of the periodic pulsed airflow output.

[0037] Specifically, the air inlet 44 of the gas mixing buffer assembly 40 is connected to the air outlet 332 of the inlet / outlet valve assembly 33, and its position is fixed by the fixed flange 43; the air outlet 45 of the gas mixing buffer assembly 40 is connected to the nozzle assembly 50, and its position is fixed by the fixed flange 43. By utilizing the cooperation of the buffer section 421, the rectifier mesh 422, and the guide plate 423, pressure smoothing and flow shaping of the periodic pulsed airflow are achieved, thereby reducing airflow fluctuations and improving the stability of the periodic pulsed airflow output.

[0038] In some implementations, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the nozzle assembly 50 is a single nozzle structure or a multi-hole array nozzle structure. The choice between the single nozzle structure and the multi-hole array nozzle structure can be made depending on the type of tomato; a single nozzle structure is preferred for large tomatoes, while a multi-hole array nozzle structure is preferred for harvesting small tomatoes in clusters.

[0039] In some implementations, such as Figure 7As shown, the single-nozzle structure includes a first air delivery interface, a contraction chamber, and a single nozzle orifice. The diameter of the contraction chamber near the first air delivery interface is larger than the diameter near the single nozzle orifice. That is, the contraction chamber has a conical structure.

[0040] In some implementations, such as Figure 8 As shown, the multi-hole array nozzle structure includes a second air delivery port, an air jet chamber, and a multi-hole array nozzle. The air jet chamber has a cylindrical structure.

[0041] Specifically, the schematic diagram of the working principle of pulsed airflow inducing inflorescence vibration is as follows: Figure 9 As shown, the first air supply port in the single-nozzle structure or the second air supply port in the multi-hole array nozzle structure is connected to the air outlet 44 in the gas mixing buffer assembly 40. The nozzle assembly uses the gas mixing buffer assembly to apply a stable, periodic pulsed airflow generated in the gas mixing buffer assembly to the tomato inflorescence. The single-nozzle structure forms a concentrated airflow beam to direct the flow to a single inflorescence. The multi-hole array nozzle structure includes multiple evenly distributed nozzles to form a distributed airflow area covering the entire tomato inflorescence. This structure improves the uniformity of force on the inflorescence, thereby enhancing pollination consistency.

[0042] In some embodiments, the nozzle outlet diameter of the single-nozzle structure is 5mm-8mm; the number of nozzle holes in the multi-hole array nozzle structure is 9-12, and the diameter of each nozzle hole is 1mm-2mm. Preferably, the number of nozzle holes in the multi-hole array nozzle structure is 9.

[0043] In some embodiments, the multi-hole array nozzle structure includes multiple uniformly or non-uniformly distributed micro-hole nozzles. The multiple nozzles are arranged along the spatial unfolding direction of the inflorescence, creating a distributed action area for the pulsed airflow, thereby achieving synchronous vibration of the entire inflorescence. This structure avoids the problem of uneven local vibration caused by single-point airflow, improving pollination uniformity.

[0044] In some embodiments, the handle assembly 10 further includes a work mode knob and a microcontroller unit (such as an MCU); or, the pulse adjustment knob can be set as a work mode knob for different work standards.

[0045] In some embodiments, the gas mixing buffer assembly 40 further includes a heating module to control the output airflow temperature within the range of 30°C to 40°C. By slightly heating the inflorescence area while the pulsed airflow is applied, pollen activity and stigma fertilization capacity can be improved, thereby further enhancing pollination efficiency. Simultaneously, by controlling the upper temperature limit (preferably not exceeding 45°C), adverse effects on pollen activity are avoided.

[0046] Specifically, the microcontroller unit is connected to the operating mode knob via a wiring harness. Simultaneously, the microcontroller unit is connected to the pulse signal input terminal of the pulse control component 30 and the heating module of the gas mixing buffer component 40 via a wiring harness to control the pulse frequency and airflow temperature. Different operating modes are programmed, including: standard pollination mode: pulse frequency 20Hz-25Hz, airflow temperature 20℃-25℃; low-temperature enhancement mode: pulse frequency 20Hz-25Hz, airflow temperature 30℃-40℃; rapid inspection mode: pulse frequency 25Hz-30Hz, airflow temperature 35℃-40℃. By adjusting the pulse frequency, airflow intensity, and operating time, adaptive control for different growth environments and varieties can be achieved.

[0047] In some embodiments, the tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration can be a handheld structure, a semi-automatic structure, or a robotic mobile structure.

[0048] In addition, this invention also provides a tomato pollination method based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration, comprising the following steps: Step S10: Obtain the location of the tomato inflorescence; Step S20: Apply pulsed airflow to the tomato inflorescence using the tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration to complete tomato pollination.

[0049] In this embodiment, the tomato pollination method based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration controls the pulsed airflow parameters to induce instantaneous displacement and reciprocating vibration in the tomato inflorescence, thereby achieving non-contact pollination. Compared with existing continuous air supply, mechanical vibration, or bumblebee pollination methods, this invention utilizes pulsed airflow to form periodic power, which can effectively improve pollen release efficiency and pollination consistency. It has advantages such as simple structure, high pollination efficiency, adaptability to greenhouse environments, and ease of large-scale application.

[0050] Specifically, the location of the tomato inflorescence is first determined; then, the continuous airflow from the air source is modulated into a pulsed airflow of a set frequency. This pulsed airflow is directed onto the tomato inflorescence through a nozzle, applying periodic aerodynamic force to the inflorescence, causing it to vibrate reciprocally. This vibration induces the release of pollen from the anthers, which then settles in the stigma region, thus achieving pollination. The pulsed airflow enhances pollen release efficiency by applying periodic, non-contact aerodynamic force to the inflorescence, causing it to vibrate under forced or quasi-harmonic conditions.

[0051] In some embodiments, the tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration and / or the tomato pollination method based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration can be applied to greenhouse tomato cultivation and fruit and vegetable pollination operations in facility agriculture environments. It can also be extended to auxiliary pollination fields for other self-pollinating or semi-self-pollinating crops that require external mechanical or pneumatic power to promote pollen release.

[0052] In some embodiments, the parameters of the pulsed airflow include: pulse frequency of 10Hz-50Hz, jet velocity of 0.5m / s-1.5m / s, single action time of 1s-3s, and action distance between the nozzle and the inflorescence of 150mm-400mm.

[0053] Specifically, when using it, the operator holds the handle assembly, aims the nozzle assembly at the unpollinated tomato inflorescence, and maintains an effective distance of 150mm-400mm.

[0054] First, rotate the pulse adjustment knob in the handle assembly to a suitable pulse frequency and activate the start / stop switch in the handle assembly. After starting the device, the miniature air pump in the air source assembly starts working under the action of the start / stop switch in the handle assembly, driving airflow to draw in air from the outside through the air intake device in the handle assembly, and then filtering the air through the filter screen in the air source assembly. The filtered air enters the air inlet and then enters the air intake interface of the pulse control assembly through the air outlet.

[0055] The pulse signal input terminal of the pulse control component receives the signal from the pulse adjustment knob in the handle assembly and feeds the signal back to the drive circuit board. The drive circuit board then feeds the signal back to the pulse width modulation control module. The pulse width modulation control module then transmits the control signal to the solenoid valve and controls the solenoid valve to work according to the specific feedback frequency signal. At this time, the solenoid valve starts to work, modulates the airflow of the air intake port into a periodic pulse airflow of a predetermined frequency, and sends the airflow to the air intake port of the air mixing buffer assembly through the air outlet port.

[0056] After receiving a periodic pulsed airflow at the air inlet of the gas mixing buffer assembly, the airflow is pressure smoothed by the buffer section to obtain a stable pulsed airflow. Then, the airflow is shaped by the rectifier and the guide plate to reduce airflow fluctuations. The stable periodic pulsed airflow is then delivered to the first or second air delivery port of the nozzle assembly through the air outlet of the gas mixing buffer assembly.

[0057] The nozzle assembly receives a periodic pulsed airflow from the outlet of the buffer assembly through an air delivery interface of a single-nozzle structure or a multi-hole array nozzle structure. This airflow then passes through a contraction chamber in the single-nozzle structure or an ejection chamber in the multi-hole array nozzle structure, and finally exits through a single-nozzle orifice or a multi-hole array nozzle. This periodic pulsed airflow acts on the tomato inflorescence, causing it to vibrate periodically, thereby inducing the release of pollen from the anthers within the inflorescence. The vibrating pollen then moves to the pistil, completing pollination.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment, the parameters of the pulsed airflow include: a pulse frequency of 20Hz-30Hz, a jet velocity of 0.8m / s-1.5m / s, a single application time of 2s, and an application distance between the nozzle and the inflorescence of 200mm-300mm. By using these parameter ranges, a better balance can be achieved between the inflorescence vibration amplitude and pollen release efficiency, improving pollination consistency and fruit set stability.

[0059] In summary, the present invention provides a tomato pollination device and method based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration. The tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration vibration includes: a handle assembly for controlling the start / stop and working mode switching of the tomato pollination device; an air source assembly connected to one end of the handle assembly; the air source assembly is used to provide continuous airflow; a pulse control assembly connected to the end of the air source assembly away from the handle assembly; the pulse control assembly is used to modulate the continuous airflow into periodic pulsed airflow; a gas mixing buffer assembly connected to the end of the pulse control assembly away from the air source assembly; the gas mixing buffer assembly is used to pressure-shape the periodic pulsed airflow; and a nozzle assembly connected to the end of the gas mixing buffer assembly away from the pulse control assembly; the nozzle assembly is used to direct the pressure-shaped periodic pulsed airflow onto the tomato inflorescence. This invention utilizes a tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration. By applying periodic aerodynamic force to the inflorescence through pulsed airflow, pollen release is achieved without mechanical contact, avoiding physical damage to the inflorescence caused by contact pollination and realizing a non-contact vibration pollination mechanism. Compared to continuous airflow that only produces an oscillating effect, this invention forms a stable vibration response through periodic airflow dynamics, improving pollen release efficiency and pollination consistency within the anthers. Simultaneously, the vibration state of the inflorescence can be controllably adjusted by regulating the pulse efficiency, airflow intensity, and duration of action, thus adapting to the pollination needs of different tomato varieties and growth stages, achieving a controllable kinetic pollination process. Furthermore, the tomato pollination device provided by this invention does not rely on biological pollination sources and can operate stably in closed or highly controlled greenhouse environments, making it suitable for large-scale facility agriculture production. In addition, the device adopts a modular pneumatic structure design, which can be implemented using air pumps, solenoid valves, and nozzle assemblies, making it easy to integrate with handheld devices or automated systems, resulting in a simple structure and ease of engineering implementation.

[0060] Specifically, the effects that this invention can achieve include: achieving inflorescence vibration under non-contact conditions; significantly improving pollen release efficiency; improving pollination consistency and fruit set stability; being suitable for enclosed environments in facility agriculture; and possessing strong engineering feasibility and scalability.

[0061] It should be understood that the application of the present invention is not limited to the examples above. Those skilled in the art can make improvements or modifications based on the above description, and all such improvements and modifications should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration, characterized in that, include: The handle assembly is used to control the start / stop and working mode switching of the tomato pollination device; An air source assembly is connected to one end of the handle assembly; The air source assembly is used to provide a continuous airflow; A pulse control component is connected to the end of the air source component opposite to the handle component; the pulse control component is used to modulate the continuous airflow into a periodic pulse airflow. A gas mixing buffer assembly is connected to the end of the pulse control assembly that is away from the gas source assembly; the gas mixing buffer assembly is used to perform pressure shaping on the periodic pulsed gas flow. A nozzle assembly is connected to the end of the gas mixing buffer assembly that is away from the pulse control assembly; the nozzle assembly is used to direct the pressure-shaped periodic pulse airflow onto the tomato inflorescence.

2. The tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration according to claim 1, characterized in that, The handle assembly includes a handle housing, a start / stop switch, an air intake device, a pulse adjustment knob, a control circuit board, a power indicator light, a power module, and a battery compartment cover; the air intake device, the start / stop switch, the pulse adjustment knob, the control circuit board, the power indicator light, the power module, and the battery compartment cover are arranged sequentially from top to bottom inside the handle housing; The air intake device, the start / stop switch, the pulse adjustment knob, the control circuit board, the power indicator light, and the power module are electrically connected via a wiring harness.

3. The tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration according to claim 2, characterized in that, The air source assembly includes an air source housing and an air pump installed inside the air source housing via a fixed bracket; the air pump has an air inlet and an air outlet, and a filter assembly is provided at the air inlet; the air inlet is connected to the air intake device.

4. The tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pulse control assembly includes a valve body mounting base, a solenoid valve disposed above the valve body mounting base, an inlet and outlet valve group disposed below the valve body mounting base, a pulse width modulation control module, a drive circuit board, and a pulse signal input terminal electrically connected to the drive circuit board.

5. The tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration according to claim 4, characterized in that, The inlet and outlet valve assembly is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet; the air inlet is connected to the air source assembly through a pipe, and the air outlet is connected to the gas mixing buffer assembly through a pipe. The pulse signal input terminal, the drive circuit board, the pulse width modulation control module, and the solenoid valve are sequentially electrically connected via a wiring harness; the pulse signal input terminal is connected to the pulse adjustment knob of the handle assembly via a connecting wiring harness.

6. The tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas mixing buffer assembly includes a gas mixing buffer housing, a buffer cavity disposed inside the gas mixing buffer housing, and a fixed flange for connecting the two ends of the gas mixing buffer housing to the pulse control assembly and the nozzle assembly respectively; the buffer cavity includes a buffer section, a rectifier net and a guide plate disposed along the direction of the pulse airflow.

7. The tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration according to claim 1, characterized in that, The nozzle assembly is a single nozzle structure or a multi-hole array nozzle structure.

8. The tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration according to claim 7, characterized in that, The nozzle outlet diameter of the single nozzle structure is 5mm-8mm; the number of nozzle holes in the multi-hole array nozzle structure is 9-12, and the diameter of each nozzle hole is 1mm-2mm.

9. A tomato pollination method based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration, characterized in that, Including the following steps: Find the location of the tomato inflorescence; Tomato pollination is completed by applying a pulsed airflow to the tomato inflorescence using the tomato pollination device based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. The tomato pollination method based on pulsed airflow-induced inflorescence vibration according to claim 9, characterized in that, The parameters of the pulsed airflow include: pulse frequency of 10Hz-50Hz, jet velocity of 0.5m / s-1.5m / s, single action time of 1s-3s, and action distance between the nozzle and the inflorescence of 150mm-400mm.

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