Tomato picking machine

Abstract

The tomato picking machine comprises a fruit picking box, the fruit picking box is connected with a shearing device, the shearing device is connected with a flexible channel pipe, a discharging port of the flexible channel pipe is connected with the fruit picking box through a step lifting structure, the step lifting structure comprises a straight-opening groove hole formed in the side wall of the fruit picking box, and a pull rod is arranged in the straight-opening groove hole in a sliding mode. The pull rod is fixedly connected with an outlet of the flexible channel pipe, and a plurality of one-way rotating baffles are arranged in the straight-opening groove hole. The one-way rotating baffle is arranged in the straight-opening groove hole, so that the flexible channel pipe can change the height of an outlet of the flexible channel pipe in a bottom-to-top moving mode according to actual picking conditions, and therefore in the whole tomato picking process, the height of the outlet can be reduced, the tomato falling distance can be shortened, and the tomato picking efficiency can be improved. The channel outlet can be prevented from being always higher than the tomato stacking surface, and the situation that fruits cannot be discharged smoothly due to stacking blockage is avoided, so that efficient and continuous picking operation is maintained while the capacity of the collecting basket is guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fruit and vegetable harvesting technology, specifically to a tomato harvesting machine. Background Technology

[0002] As an important economic crop, the efficiency of tomato harvesting and the quality of the fruit directly affect production benefits. Traditional manual harvesting methods are labor-intensive and inefficient, making it difficult to meet the needs of large-scale planting. To improve harvesting efficiency, various tomato harvesting machines have been developed, which typically use mechanical shears or cutting devices to separate tomatoes from the vines and collect the fruit using a collection device.

[0003] Early tomato picking machines required manual labor to place each harvested tomato into a collection basket, a tedious process with limited efficiency gains. To address this issue, subsequent improvements incorporated a collection channel beneath the shears, allowing harvested tomatoes to slide directly into the basket, minimizing manual intervention.

[0004] However, in practical use, although flexible materials or elastic cushioning structures are used within the channel to reduce the hard contact between the fruit and the channel wall and its falling speed, the exit of the collection channel is usually located at a relatively high position at the top of the collection basket. When the tomatoes fall freely from the exit to the bottom of the collection basket, the significant height difference still easily causes the fruits to be bumped and damaged, affecting the commercial quality of the tomatoes. If the height of the collection basket is lowered to reduce impact, it will lead to insufficient collection capacity, frequent replacement or tilting of the collection basket, reduced operational continuity, and affected harvesting efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a tomato harvester to solve the technical problem in the prior art where tomatoes are easily bumped and damaged due to the height difference at the channel exit.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model specifically provides the following technical solution:

[0007] A tomato harvester includes a harvesting box, the bottom surface of which is inclined to form a high bottom surface and a low bottom surface. A shear is connected to the harvesting box via an elastic connector. The shear is connected to a flexible channel tube. The inlet of the flexible channel tube is located below the working end of the shear. The outlet of the flexible channel tube is connected to the harvesting box via a stepped structure. The outlet of the flexible channel tube is located above the high bottom surface.

[0008] The stepped structure includes a straight slot on the side wall of the fruit picking box, a pull rod is slidably disposed in the straight slot, the pull rod is fixedly connected to the outlet of the flexible channel tube, and a plurality of one-way rotating baffles are disposed in the straight slot, the one-way rotating baffles can only rotate toward the top of the fruit picking box to form an opening for the pull rod to slide.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the sidewall of the straight slot is recessed inward to form a groove, and the one-way rotating baffle is rotatably disposed in the groove via a rotating shaft. When the one-way rotating baffle is rotated to a vertical position, it is embedded in the groove.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the unidirectional rotating baffle includes a single plate and a limiting block. The single plate is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft, and the limiting block is disposed below the single plate. The limiting block is fixedly installed on the inner wall of the straight slot hole on the side away from the groove.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the end of the rotating shaft passes through the groove and is disposed outside the fruit picking box. A drive gear is fixedly connected to the end of the rotating shaft. Multiple drive gears are synchronously meshed with a linkage tooth plate. The linkage tooth plate is longitudinally slidably disposed on the outer wall of the fruit picking box. An operating rod is connected to the linkage tooth plate.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the operating lever is fixedly connected to a rotating rod, which is axially rotatably mounted on the outer wall of the fruit picking box.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following advantages:

[0014] This invention utilizes a design that connects the pull rod to the outlet of the flexible channel tube and incorporates a one-way rotating baffle within the straight slot. This allows the flexible channel tube to adjust its outlet height by moving upwards according to the actual harvesting conditions. This design not only lowers the outlet height during the entire tomato harvesting process, reducing the falling distance of the tomatoes and minimizing the impact of free fall, effectively preventing damage from bumps and knocks, but also raises the outlet position by lifting the pull rod, ensuring the channel outlet is always above the tomato accumulation surface. This prevents the tomatoes from clogging and hindering smooth discharge, thus maintaining efficient and continuous harvesting operations while ensuring the capacity of the collection basket. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art can derive other embodiments based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0017] Figure 2 This utility model Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the present invention.

[0019] The labels in the diagram represent the following:

[0020] 1. Fruit picking box; 2. High bottom surface; 3. Low bottom surface; 4. Elastic connector; 5. Shearer; 6. Flexible channel tube; 7. Straight groove; 8. Pull rod; 9. One-way rotating baffle; 10. Enclosure groove; 11. Rotating shaft; 12. Single plate; 13. Limiting block; 14. Drive gear; 15. Linkage toothed plate; 16. Operating lever; 17. Rotating rod. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0022] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this utility model provides a tomato harvester, including a harvesting box 1. The harvesting box 1 has a rectangular box structure, and its internal bottom surface is designed with an inclined structure, forming a high bottom surface 2 at one end and a low bottom surface 3 at the other end. It has a certain inclination angle so that tomatoes can naturally slide to the low bottom surface 3 under the action of gravity, making it easier to cover the entire bottom surface of the box. The harvesting box 1 is made of lightweight and durable plastic or metal materials, and the inner surface is lined with a soft pad to reduce frictional damage to the tomato skin.

[0023] like Figure 1As shown, a shearer 5 is connected to the top of the fruit-picking box 1 via an elastic connector 4. The elastic connector 4 can be a spring or an elastic rubber band, preferably an elastic rubber band, to facilitate the movement of the shearer 5 for fruit picking. The shearer 5 is a mechanical or electric scissor structure, and its working end is used to cut the tomato stem. A flexible channel tube 6 inlet is located below the shearer 5. The shearer 5 is connected to the flexible channel tube 6 via a connector to ensure that its working end is always above the inlet of the flexible channel tube 6, allowing tomatoes to continuously fall into the flexible channel tube 6 during the cutting process. The flexible channel tube 6 is made of flexible material (such as silicone or soft PVC) or uses a bag-type flexible channel to accommodate tomatoes of different sizes while reducing impact and slowing the tomato's descent. For example, a bag-type flexible channel will form a bend, preventing impact as the tomato falls inside and reducing its descent speed at the bend at the outlet, thus weakening the impact force of the tomato entering the fruit-picking box 1. Furthermore, as the number of tomatoes picked increases, the outlet of the flexible channel tube 6 rises upwards, resulting in a large number of tomatoes below it. This prevents the tomatoes falling from the higher flexible channel tube 6 from creating a large height difference, thus protecting the tomatoes. The outlet of the flexible channel tube 6 is connected to the picking box 1 via a stepped structure, and the outlet is located above the higher bottom surface 2.

[0024] like Figure 2 As shown, the stepped structure includes straight slots 7 formed on the side wall of the fruit-picking box 1. The straight slots 7 are longitudinally elongated and located on both sides of the fruit-picking box 1. A pull rod 8 is slidably mounted within the straight slots 7. The pull rod 8 is a cylindrical rod made of metal or high-strength plastic, shaped like... Figure 1 As shown and Figure 2 As shown, the flexible channel tube 6 is concavely arranged on both sides of the fruit-picking box 1, with both ends located within the straight slot 7. One end is fixedly connected to the outlet of the flexible channel tube 6, and the other end extends to the outside of the fruit-picking box 1 for easy operation. A rigid collar is provided at the outlet of the flexible channel tube 6 to facilitate connection with the pull rod 8. Multiple one-way rotating baffles 9 are provided within the straight slot 7. The one-way rotating baffles 9 are mounted on the side wall of the straight slot 7 via a rotating shaft 11 and can only rotate towards the top of the fruit-picking box 1, forming an opening for the pull rod 8 to slide. The number of one-way rotating baffles 9 is preferably 3-5, evenly distributed within the straight slot 7 to form different levels. The distance between adjacent one-way rotating baffles is greater than the diameter of the tomato so that when the tomato is spread on the bottom layer of the fruit-picking box 1, the outlet of the flexible channel tube 6 moves upward.

[0025] like Figure 2As shown, further, the sidewall of the straight slot 7 is recessed inward to form a groove 10, the width of which matches the width of the one-way rotating baffle 9. The one-way rotating baffle 9 is rotatably mounted in the groove 10 via a rotating shaft 11. When the one-way rotating baffle 9 rotates upward to a vertical position, it can be completely embedded in the groove 10, avoiding obstruction of the sliding of the pull rod 8. The groove 10 keeps the straight slot 7 flat, reducing the tomato's jamming during sliding.

[0026] like Figure 3 As shown, the one-way rotating baffle 9 includes a single plate 12 and a limiting block 13. The single plate 12 is a rectangular thin plate made of lightweight metal or plastic and is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 11. The limiting block 13 is located below the single plate 12 and is fixedly installed on the inner wall of the straight slot 7 on the side away from the packing groove 10. It is used to restrict the single plate 12 to rotate only towards the top of the fruit picking box 1. When the single plate 12 rotates downward, its end will abut against the limiting block 13 to prevent it from rotating downward, allowing the pull rod 8 to be placed on the single plate 12.

[0027] After the fruit-picking box 1 is full and the pull rod 8 is at the top of the straight slot 7, to improve the reuse efficiency of the fruit-picking box 1, multiple single plates 12 are quickly rotated open so that the pull rod 8 is at the bottom of the straight slot 7. Furthermore, the end of the rotating shaft 11 passes through the groove 10 and extends to the outside of the fruit-picking box 1. The end of the rotating shaft 11 is fixedly connected to a drive gear 14. Multiple drive gears 14 are synchronously meshed and connected through a linkage gear plate 15. The linkage gear plate 15 is a long strip-shaped rack that is longitudinally slidably set on the outer wall of the fruit-picking box 1. It can be longitudinally slidably connected to the outer wall of the fruit-picking box 1 through a guide rail and a limiting slide groove. One end of the linkage gear plate 15 is connected to an operating rod 16. By lifting or pressing the operating rod 16, the drive gear 14 drives multiple single plates 12 to rotate synchronously, so that the single plates 12 are closed or opened, thereby facilitating the synchronous opening of all single plates 12, allowing the pull rod 8 to quickly slide to the bottom of the straight slot 7.

[0028] Furthermore, the operating lever 16 is U-shaped and connected to the linkage tooth plates 15 on both sides. A rotating rod 17 is fixedly connected to the operating lever 16. The rotating rod 17 is a metal round rod and is axially rotatable on the outer wall of the fruit picking box 1. The rotating rod 17 makes the operation of the operating lever 16 more convenient.

[0029] The above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. The scope of protection of this application is defined by the claims. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications or equivalent substitutions to this application within its substance and scope of protection, and such modifications or equivalent substitutions should also be considered to fall within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A tomato picking machine, characterized in that, The product includes a fruit-picking box (1), the bottom surface of which is inclined to form a high bottom surface (2) and a low bottom surface (3). A shearer (5) is connected to the fruit-picking box (1) via an elastic connector (4). A flexible channel tube (6) is connected to the shearer (5). The inlet of the flexible channel tube (6) is located below the working end of the shearer (5). The outlet of the flexible channel tube (6) is connected to the fruit-picking box (1) via a stepped structure. The outlet of the flexible channel tube (6) is located above the high bottom surface (2). The stepped structure includes a straight slot (7) opened on the side wall of the fruit picking box (1), a pull rod (8) is slidably arranged in the straight slot (7), the pull rod (8) is fixedly connected to the outlet of the flexible channel tube (6), and a plurality of one-way rotating baffles (9) are arranged in the straight slot (7). The one-way rotating baffles (9) can only rotate toward the top of the fruit picking box (1) to form an opening for the pull rod (8) to slide.

2. A machine for picking tomatoes as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that The sidewall of the straight slot (7) is recessed inward to form a groove (10). The one-way rotating baffle (9) is rotatably disposed in the groove (10) via a rotating shaft (11). When the one-way rotating baffle (9) is rotated to a vertical position, it is embedded in the groove (10).

3. A machine for picking tomatoes as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that The one-way rotating baffle (9) includes a single plate (12) and a limiting block (13). The single plate (12) is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft (11). The limiting block (13) is disposed below the single plate (12) and is fixedly installed on the inner wall of the straight slot (7) away from the groove (10).

4. A machine for picking tomatoes as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that The end of the rotating shaft (11) passes through the groove (10) and is disposed outside the fruit picking box (1). The end of the rotating shaft (11) is fixedly connected to a drive gear (14). Multiple drive gears (14) are synchronously meshed with a linkage tooth plate (15). The linkage tooth plate (15) is longitudinally slidably disposed on the outer wall of the fruit picking box (1). The linkage tooth plate (15) is connected to an operating rod (16).

5. A machine for picking tomatoes as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that The operating lever (16) is fixedly connected to a rotating rod (17), which is axially rotatably mounted on the outer wall of the fruit picking box (1).

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