An adaptive tomato fruit shape popper for a color selection device of a tomato harvester

Abstract

The utility model relates to agricultural machinery technical field especially is used for the self -adaptation tomato fruit shape elastic finger of tomato harvesting machine color selection device, including elastic finger, the elastic finger has the involute curved surface for with the surface contact of tomato, telescopic component, the telescopic component bottom is connected with the frame through the connecting component, the telescopic component telescopic end is hinged with the middle part of elastic finger and with the side opposite involute curved surface through the rotating component, hinged component, one end of hinged component is hinged with the elastic finger upper end, the other end of hinged component is connected with the frame, the telescopic component telescopic drives the end of elastic finger rotates around hinged component and bounces off tomato. The utility model is beneficial to throw tomato fruit, reduces the skin injury.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of agricultural machinery technology, and in particular to an adaptive tomato shape spring for a color sorting device of a tomato harvester. Background Technology

[0002] Xinjiang has long hours of sunshine and large temperature differences between day and night, which are ideal for tomato cultivation. Currently, Xinjiang is the world's second-largest tomato paste production area and Asia's largest tomato processing base. In 2022, Xinjiang's industrial tomato production reached 5.04 million tons, accounting for more than 80% of the domestic industrial tomato production, and its planting area also accounted for more than 80% of the national total.

[0003] Self-propelled tomato harvesters have become the mainstream agricultural machinery for industrial tomato harvesting. They mainly consist of working components such as cutting and picking devices, fruit-vine separation devices, color sorting devices, hydraulic systems, and conveying devices. The color sorting device of the tomato harvester is a key component affecting the efficiency and quality of fruit sorting. The spring, as an important part of the color sorting device, directly affects the screening of tomatoes due to its operational precision. During the screening process, immature (green) and rotten fruits must be strictly removed. Therefore, the spring needs sufficient rigidity to ensure effective removal while avoiding damage to the fruit due to excessive impact. However, existing tomato harvesters use a single linear spring structure, which cannot adjust the ejection angle, making it difficult to adapt to the parabolic trajectory of the fruit at different conveying speeds, and it is also prone to damaging the tomato skin.

[0004] Therefore, those skilled in the art are dedicated to developing an adaptive tomato shape flicker for a color sorting device in a tomato harvester, which facilitates the ejection of tomato fruits and reduces skin damage. Utility Model Content

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide an adaptive tomato fruit shape spring for the color sorting device of a tomato harvester, which is conducive to throwing out the tomato fruit and reducing skin damage.

[0006] The technical solution of this utility model to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows:

[0007] An adaptive tomato shape spring for a color sorting device in a tomato harvester, comprising:

[0008] The snap finger has an involute curved surface for contacting the surface of the tomato;

[0009] The telescopic assembly has its bottom connected to the frame via a connecting component, and its telescopic end is hinged to the middle of the spring finger and the side opposite to the involute surface via a rotating component.

[0010] A hinge assembly, one end of which is hinged to the upper end of the spring finger, and the other end of which is connected to the frame;

[0011] The telescopic component extends and retracts, causing the end of the snap finger to rotate around the hinge component, thus snapping the tomato away.

[0012] The beneficial effects of adopting the above scheme are: by contacting the tomato surface with the involute curved surface, the tomato can be contacted and processed more stably. Combined with the adjustment function of the telescopic component, the spring can effectively perform the screening function under different working conditions according to the actual size, shape or conveying conditions of the tomato, reduce damage to the tomato skin, and accurately remove unripe and rotten fruits.

[0013] The telescopic component can drive the end of the snap finger to rotate around the hinge component, making the snap finger self-adaptive. It can automatically adjust the ejection angle according to the parabolic trajectory of the fruit, making up for the shortcomings of traditional single linear snap fingers that are difficult to adapt to different conveying speeds, and enhancing the applicability and reliability of the color sorting device under various working conditions.

[0014] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention can be further improved as follows.

[0015] Furthermore, the telescopic assembly includes a telescopic cylinder, which is connected to an air supply pipe. The telescopic cylinder is mounted on the frame, and its output end is hinged to the middle of the spring finger via the rotating assembly.

[0016] The beneficial effects of adopting the above-mentioned further solution are: by using a telescopic cylinder combined with an air supply pipe, the telescopic cylinder is directly installed on the frame, the pneumatic adjustment speed is fast and the response is sensitive, which can quickly drive the snap finger action, ensure the snap finger's precise extension and retraction, improve color sorting efficiency and reliability, enhance the equipment's real-time adaptability to different tomato conveying rates, and facilitate the precise removal of unqualified fruits.

[0017] Furthermore, the connecting assembly includes a rotating connecting joint, one end of which is connected to the bottom of the telescopic cylinder and fixed by a retaining ring, and the other end of which is connected to the frame.

[0018] The beneficial effect of adopting the above-mentioned further solution is that by rotating the connecting joint and engaging the retaining ring, the bottom of the telescopic cylinder is securely connected to the frame, which not only ensures a tight connection but also allows for moderate rotation.

[0019] Furthermore, the rotating assembly includes a steering knuckle, one end of which is threadedly connected to the output end of the telescopic cylinder, and the other end of which is hinged to the spring finger.

[0020] The advantages of adopting the above-mentioned further solution are: using a steering knuckle threaded connection to the output end of the telescopic cylinder facilitates disassembly and adjustment, and allows for precise fine-tuning of the installation position and angle of the spring finger to better match the movement trajectory of the fruit. At the same time, the steering knuckle has high structural strength and can withstand the impact force when the spring finger is working, ensuring the durability of the connection.

[0021] Furthermore, the hinge assembly includes a hinge member, one end of which is hinged to the upper end of the spring finger, and the other end of which is connected to the frame.

[0022] The beneficial effects of adopting the above-mentioned further solution are: using a hinge to connect the spring to the frame allows the spring to swing flexibly and move smoothly around the hinge point, adjusting its posture according to the fruit condition and conveying conditions, improving color sorting adaptability, and the hinge structure is simple, easy to produce and maintain, and has high reliability.

[0023] Furthermore, the spring is made of carbon fiber reinforced composite material, and the involute surface is coated with a Teflon coating.

[0024] The beneficial effects of adopting the above-mentioned further solutions are: using carbon fiber reinforced composite materials to make the springs, due to their high hardness and wear resistance, can withstand fruit impact and friction for a long time without breaking, ensuring the durability of the springs; the fluoropolymer coating reduces friction and effectively reduces the adhesion of tomato juice to the wall.

[0025] Furthermore, an angle adjustment assembly is also installed between the hinge and the frame.

[0026] The beneficial effects of adopting the above-mentioned further solution are: the angle adjustment component provides additional angle adjustment capability for the snap finger, which can finely adjust the angle between the snap finger and the direction of fruit movement, further adapting to different varieties and sizes of tomatoes and varying working conditions.

[0027] Furthermore, the angle adjustment assembly includes an adjustment cylinder, the output end of which is hinged to the end of the hinge member, and the extension and retraction of the adjustment cylinder causes the spring and the hinge member to rotate around the output end of the extension and retraction cylinder.

[0028] The beneficial effects of adopting the above-mentioned further solution are: by relying on the adjusting cylinder to drive the hinge and the snap finger to rotate around the cylinder output end, a wide range of angle adjustment can be achieved to meet the needs of different working conditions. The adjustment process is smooth, easy to control and efficient, and the snap finger posture change is completed, which enhances the automation level and operation convenience of the equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an adaptive tomato shape spring-loaded structure for a tomato harvester color sorting device according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the mechanism movement in a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the snap and hinge assembly in a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows:

[0033] 1. Flicker; 2. Tomato; 3. Involute surface; 4. Telescopic assembly; 5. Connecting assembly; 6. Rotating assembly; 7. Hinge assembly; 8. Telescopic cylinder; 9. Air supply pipe; 10. Rotating connecting joint; 11. Retaining ring; 12. Steering knuckle; 13. Hinge; 14. Flicker pivot. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The principles and features of this utility model are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The examples given are only for explaining this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model.

[0035] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "length", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "inner", "outer", "circumferential", "circumferential", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the system or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0036] In the description of this utility model, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0037] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0038] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, an adaptive tomato shape spring for a tomato harvester color sorting device includes...

[0039] The snap finger 1 has an involute curved surface 3 for contacting the surface of the tomato 2. The snap finger 1 is made of carbon fiber reinforced composite material, which reduces the weight by 40% while ensuring high strength. The involute curved surface 3 is coated with Teflon coating to reduce the coefficient of friction and effectively reduce the adhesion of tomato juice to the wall.

[0040] Telescopic component 4, the bottom of telescopic component 4 is connected to the frame via connecting component 5, and the telescopic end of telescopic component 4 is hinged to the middle of the spring finger 1 and the side opposite to the involute curved surface 3 via rotating component 6.

[0041] Hinged assembly 7, one end of hinged assembly 7 is hinged to the upper end of the spring finger 1, and the other end of hinged assembly 7 is connected to the frame;

[0042] The telescopic component 4 extends and retracts, causing the end of the snap finger 1 to rotate around the hinge component 7, thus snapping the tomato 2 away.

[0043] In this invention, the telescopic component 4 can drive the end of the spring finger 1 to rotate around the hinge component 7, so that the spring finger 1 has self-adaptability and can automatically adjust the ejection angle according to the parabolic trajectory of the fruit, thus making up for the defect that the traditional single linear spring finger 1 is difficult to adapt to different conveying speeds.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the telescopic component 4 includes a telescopic cylinder 8, which is connected to an air supply pipe 9. The air supply pipe 9 is connected to an air supply component (not shown in the figure). The telescopic cylinder 8 is mounted on the frame. The output end of the telescopic cylinder 8 is hinged to the middle of the spring finger 1 through the rotating component 6. The telescopic cylinder 8 works in conjunction with the FPGA control system to adjust the popping force and timing of the spring finger 1 in real time according to the color sorting camera signal. When the telescopic cylinder 8 contracts, the upper end of the spring finger 1 rotates around the hinge component 7, thereby popping out the tomato 2.

[0045] The connecting assembly 5 includes a rotating connecting joint 10. One end of the rotating connecting joint 10 is connected to the bottom of the telescopic cylinder 8 and fixed by a retaining ring 11. The other end of the rotating connecting joint 10 is connected to the frame. In other embodiments, the telescopic cylinder 8 is connected to the frame via the rotating connecting joint 10. The output end of the telescopic cylinder 8 is hinged to the middle of the spring finger 1 via the rotating assembly 6. There is a gap at the connection between the upper end of the spring finger 1 and the hinge assembly 7, so that the spring finger 1 can adaptively deflect.

[0046] The rotating assembly 6 includes a steering knuckle 12. One end of the steering knuckle 12 is threadedly connected to the output end of the telescopic cylinder 8, and the other end of the steering knuckle 12 is hinged to the spring 1. Specifically, the steering knuckle 12 has a socket, and the spring shaft 14 is inserted into the socket to make the steering knuckle 12 hinged to the spring 1. The other end of the steering knuckle 12 is threadedly connected to the output end of the telescopic cylinder 8. By rotating the connecting joint 10 and the spring shaft 14, the spring 1 can be adaptively deflected horizontally and vertically, dynamically matching the collision trajectory of tomatoes of different sizes.

[0047] The hinge assembly 7 includes a hinge member 13, one end of which is hinged to the upper end of the spring finger 1, and the other end of which is connected to the frame.

[0048] In other embodiments, an angle adjustment assembly is also installed between the hinge 13 and the frame. Specifically, the angle adjustment assembly includes an adjustment cylinder. The output end of the adjustment cylinder is hinged to the end of the hinge 13. The extension and retraction of the adjustment cylinder causes the spring 1 and the hinge 13 to rotate around the output end of the extension and retraction cylinder 8, so that the spring 1 has a fixed deflection angle.

[0049] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0050] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An adaptive tomato shape spring for a color sorting device in a tomato harvester, characterized in that: include The snap (1) has an involute surface (3) for contacting the surface of the tomato (2). Telescopic component (4), the bottom of the telescopic component (4) is connected to the frame through the connecting component (5), and the telescopic end of the telescopic component (4) is hinged to the middle of the spring finger (1) and the side opposite to the involute surface (3) through the rotating component (6); A hinge assembly (7), one end of which is hinged to the upper end of the spring finger (1), and the other end of which is connected to the frame; The telescopic component (4) extends and retracts, causing the end of the snap finger (1) to rotate around the hinge component (7) and snap the tomato (2) away.

2. The adaptive tomato shape spring for a tomato harvester color sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The telescopic assembly (4) includes a telescopic cylinder (8), which is connected to an air supply pipe (9). The telescopic cylinder (8) is mounted on the frame, and the output end of the telescopic cylinder (8) is hinged to the middle of the spring finger (1) through the rotating assembly (6).

3. The adaptive tomato shape spring for a tomato harvester color sorting device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The connecting assembly (5) includes a rotating connecting section (10), one end of which is connected to the bottom of the telescopic cylinder (8) and fixed by a retaining ring (11), and the other end of which is connected to the frame.

4. The adaptive tomato shape spring for a tomato harvester color sorting device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The rotating assembly (6) includes a steering knuckle (12), one end of which is threadedly connected to the output end of the telescopic cylinder (8), and the other end of which is hinged to the spring finger (1).

5. The adaptive tomato shape spring for a tomato harvester color sorting device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The hinge assembly (7) includes a hinge (13), one end of which is hinged to the upper end of the spring (1), and the other end of which is connected to the frame.

6. The adaptive tomato shape spring for a tomato harvester color sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spring finger (1) is made of carbon fiber reinforced composite material, and the involute surface (3) is coated with Teflon coating.

7. The adaptive tomato shape spring for a tomato harvester color sorting device according to claim 5, characterized in that: An angle adjustment assembly is also installed between the hinge (13) and the frame.

8. The adaptive tomato shape spring for a tomato harvester color sorting device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The angle adjustment assembly includes an adjustment cylinder, the output end of which is hinged to the end of the hinge (13), and the extension and retraction of the adjustment cylinder causes the spring (1) and the hinge (13) to rotate around the output end of the extension and retraction cylinder (8).

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