Apple tree pruning device

Abstract

The utility model discloses an apple branch pressing device relates to the technical field of agricultural planting branch pressing, including first branch pressing rod and second branch pressing rod, the end of first branch pressing rod and second branch pressing rod rotatoryly connected, still include mobile branch pressing roller, fixed branch pressing roller, strip slot, nut and one -way rotation locking mechanism, one -way rotation locking mechanism and fixed branch pressing roller all are established at first branch pressing rod and the connecting place of second branch pressing rod, and two strip slots are equipped with and respectively along the length direction of first branch pressing rod and second branch pressing rod through setting on it, and mobile branch pressing roller one end is equipped with the thread section, and the thread section passes through strip slot and is connected with the nut screw thread, and the outside of branch pressing rod is closely abutted with the nut, and mobile branch pressing roller and fixed branch pressing roller are located in the same side of first branch pressing rod and second branch pressing rod, the utility model discloses branch pressing point can be adjusted flexibly, guarantees the accurate target area of branch pressing operation, satisfies the branch pressing demand under different branch growth tendency, can realize angle adjustment fast, and the work efficiency is improved greatly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of agricultural planting and pruning technology, specifically to an apple pruning device. Background Technology

[0002] In apple cultivation, branch layering is a key agricultural management technique. By properly bending and fixing apple tree branches, the growth direction of the branches can be effectively adjusted, the spacing between branches can be increased, thereby improving the light utilization rate and ventilation within the canopy, promoting balanced branch growth, providing favorable conditions for subsequent fruit development, and helping to create a stable and reasonable canopy structure. This facilitates subsequent orchard management and fruit harvesting operations, and is of great significance for improving apple yield and quality.

[0003] Currently, various devices for branch shaping exist in the fruit tree planting field. For example, Chinese utility model patent CN119924135A describes a simplified branch pressing device. This device consists of a front rotating mechanism and a rear rotating mechanism connected in a front-to-back rotation. The front mechanism fixes pressing rings a and b through a connecting plate a, while the rear mechanism fixes pressing ring c and a cylindrical cover through a connecting plate b. The meshing teeth inside the cylindrical cover engage with the meshing grooves inside the insert of the front mechanism to achieve angle locking. The insertion structure of the rotating column and the cavity completes the assembly of the front and rear mechanisms. The entire device is made of one-time injection molded plastic material, which significantly reduces manufacturing costs. At the same time, the device absorbs elastic deformation pressure through deformation holes and grooves to prevent damage. It has certain advantages in terms of lightweight design, mass production, and convenient angle adjustment.

[0004] However, this simplified branch presser still has obvious limitations when it comes to adapting to apple tree branch pressing scenarios: during the apple tree branch pressing process, workers often need to flexibly adjust the position of the pressing point according to the growth trend of the branch. However, the pressing ring and connecting plate of this simplified branch presser are an integral injection-molded structure, and the position of the pressing point is fixed. It is impossible to adjust the pressing position along the length of the branch according to actual needs, resulting in poor adaptability.

[0005] In addition, the angle adjustment of this device relies on the meshing and locking of the meshing teeth and the meshing groove. When adjusting, the front and rear mechanisms must be separated to make the meshing structure misaligned, and then rotated to the target angle and re-meshed and fixed. The operation process involves cumbersome steps of "separation-adjustment-reset", which is inefficient for orchard scenarios that require batch and rapid adjustment of the branch pressing angle. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an apple pressing device that solves the problems of the inability to adjust the pressing position according to actual needs and the cumbersome operation in the aforementioned background technology.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: an apple pressing device, comprising a first pressing rod and a second pressing rod, the ends of the first pressing rod and the second pressing rod being rotatably connected, characterized in that: it further comprises a movable pressing roller, a fixed pressing roller, a strip groove, a nut, and a one-way rotation locking mechanism, the one-way rotation locking mechanism and the fixed pressing roller being respectively provided on both sides of the connection between the first pressing rod and the second pressing rod, the strip groove being provided in two parts and respectively extending along the length direction of the first pressing rod and the second pressing rod, the movable pressing roller having a threaded section at one end, the threaded section passing through the strip groove and being threadedly connected to the nut, the nut being tightly abutting against the outer side of the first pressing rod and the second pressing rod, the movable pressing roller and the fixed pressing roller being located on the same side of the first pressing rod and the second pressing rod.

[0008] Furthermore, the one-way rotation locking mechanism includes a fixed shaft, a ratchet, a pawl, and a protrusion. The fixed shaft is fixedly installed on one side of the end of the first pressing rod, and the fixed pressing roller is fixedly installed on the other side of the end of the first pressing rod. The end of the second pressing rod is rotatably connected to the outer circumferential wall of the fixed shaft. The ratchet teeth face inward and are sleeved on the fixed shaft. The ratchet is fixedly connected to the second pressing rod. The protrusion is provided on the fixed shaft, and the end of the protrusion is hinged to a pawl by a torsion spring. The pawl engages with the ratchet teeth of the ratchet.

[0009] Furthermore, the movable pressing roller includes a circular tube and a roller, the threaded section is provided at one end of the circular tube, the roller is sleeved on the outside of the circular tube, and an annular groove is formed on the outer ring surface of the roller.

[0010] This utility model has the following beneficial effects: This utility model provides an apple branch pressing device. The pressing points can be flexibly adjusted to ensure that the pressing operation is accurately targeted to the target area, meet the pressing needs under different branch growth conditions, and is not prone to component loosening or falling off during long-term use, reducing the frequency of maintenance and replacement, extending the overall service life of the device, and reducing the equipment investment cost of orchard planting.

[0011] When adjusting the angle between the first and second branch pressing rods, simply rotate both rods. The pawl will automatically engage and lock with the ratchet and ratchet teeth under the action of the torsion spring. The angle adjustment is convenient and efficient. At the same time, the one-way engagement characteristic of the ratchet and pawl can effectively prevent the angle between the two pressing rods from unexpectedly increasing due to the rebound force of the branches during the pressing process. This ensures that the pressing angle is kept stable at the preset state, avoiding repeated adjustments. It is especially suitable for batch and rapid pressing operations in orchards, significantly improving work efficiency.

[0012] A multi-segment pressing structure is formed by a fixed pressing roller and two movable pressing rollers, which effectively protects the branches and improves the reliability of pressing. The outer ring surface of the pressing roller has an annular groove, which can closely fit the contour of apple tree branches of different thicknesses. This not only prevents the branches from slipping off the pressing roller during the pressing process, but also adapts to changes in the diameter of the branches. At the same time, the roller has a certain degree of rotational flexibility, which can adaptively adjust the angle according to the slight growth deformation of the branches, reduce the restriction on the growth of branches by long-term pressing, and ensure the long-term stability of the pressing effect. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Fig. 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model; Fig. 2 This is a top-view structural cross-sectional view of the present invention; Fig. 3 This is a schematic diagram of the locking component in this utility model; Fig. 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first and second pressing branches in this utility model; Fig. 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the movable pressing roller in this utility model; Fig. 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention after it has been stored. In the figure: 1. First pressing rod; 2. Second pressing rod; 3. Moving pressing roller; 301. Round tube; 302. Roller; 303. Threaded section; 304. Annular groove; 4. Fixed pressing roller; 5. Strip groove; 6. Fixed shaft; 7. Ratchet; 8. Pad; 9. Protrusion; 10. Nut; 11. End cap. Detailed Implementation

[0014] like Figs. 1 to 6 As shown, this utility model of apple pressing device aims to solve the problems of cumbersome operation, poor pressing stability, and insufficient adaptability of existing pressing equipment. It mainly consists of two parts: a support and adjustment component and a pressing component. The support and adjustment component includes a first pressing rod 1, a second pressing rod 2, and a locking component. The pressing component consists of three sets of pressing rollers. The first pressing rod 1 and the second pressing rod 2 are both made of plastic material. The cross-section of the rod is rectangular, and the length is designed to be 50-80cm according to the common pressing range of apple branches. This ensures structural strength to resist the rebound force of the branches and also has lightweight characteristics, making it convenient for a single worker to carry and operate. The length of the second pressing rod 2 is longer than that of the first pressing rod 1 to prevent interference between the moving pressing roller 3 at the end of the second pressing rod 2 and the moving pressing roller 3 on the first pressing rod 1 during rotation.

[0015] The ends of the two sets of pressing rods are connected by a locking assembly to achieve rotation and angle locking. A set of pressing rollers are installed on the end of the first pressing rod 1, the strip groove 5 of the first pressing rod 1, and the strip groove 5 of the second pressing rod 2, forming a multi-segment pressing structure with a "triangular distribution". This structure can provide multi-point stable pressing of apple tree branches and avoid damage or displacement of branches caused by single-point force.

[0016] The locking assembly is the core component for convenient adjustment and stable locking of the pressing angle. It includes a fixed shaft 6, a ratchet 7, a pawl 8, and a protrusion 9. The fixed shaft 6 is made of 45 steel. One end of it is fixedly connected to the center position of one side of the end of the first pressing rod 1 by welding. The welded part needs to be ground to ensure that the surface is flat and to avoid scratching the hands during operation. The other end of the fixed shaft 6 is machined with external threads for subsequent assembly of the end cap 11 to prevent the ratchet 7 from falling off the shaft.

[0017] The ratchet 7 has an internal ratchet structure with 12-18 teeth and a tooth surface inclination angle of 30°, ensuring both the reliability of unidirectional locking and reducing operating resistance during angle adjustment. The inner diameter of the ratchet 7 is adapted to the outer diameter of the fixed shaft 6, and it is fitted onto the fixed shaft 6 via an interference fit. One end face of the ratchet 7 is fixedly connected to the end of the second pressure rod 2 by bolts, so that the ratchet 7 and the second pressure rod 2 rotate synchronously, ensuring synchronicity during angle adjustment. The protrusion 9 is made of spring steel, and one end is fixed to the fixed shaft 6 by welding. The side wall of shaft 6 has a hinge hole machined at the other end; one end of pawl 8 is connected to the hinge hole of protrusion 9 through a torsion spring, and the two free ends of the torsion spring abut against the side wall of protrusion 9 and the side of pawl 8 respectively, so that pawl 8 always has a preload force in the direction of ratchet teeth of ratchet 7; the other end of pawl 8 is an arc-shaped tooth surface, which meshes with the inner ratchet teeth of ratchet 7 to achieve unidirectional angle locking; after assembly, the second pressure bar 2 needs to be manually rotated to test the meshing effect between pawl 8 and ratchet 7 to ensure smooth rotation and reliable locking without jamming or tooth dislodgement.

[0018] The movable branch-pressing roller 3 is the pressing component that directly contacts the apple tree branches. It needs to simultaneously meet the requirements of fit, anti-slip, and self-adjustment. Its structure includes a round tube 301 and a roller 302. The round tube 301 is made of stainless steel. One end of the round tube 301 is fixedly connected to a threaded section 303, which passes through the slot 5 and is fixed with a nut 10. The roller 302 is made of food-grade silicone, which has a certain degree of elasticity to buffer the pressure on the branches and provides sufficient friction. To prevent branches from slipping off, an annular groove 304 is provided on the outer ring surface of the roller 302 along the axial direction. The arc of the annular groove 304 is designed to be semi-circular according to the common diameter of apple tree branches (5-20mm), which can closely fit the contour of branches of different thicknesses. The inner hole of the roller 302 and the outer diameter of the round tube 301 are fitted with a clearance of 0.5-1mm. The roller 302 is sleeved on the outside of the round tube 301 to ensure that the roller 302 can rotate flexibly around the round tube 301 and adaptively adjust its angle according to the growth and deformation of the branches.

[0019] Both the first pressing rod 1 and the second pressing rod 2 are provided with strip grooves 5. The length of the strip grooves 5 is 15-20cm, and the width is adapted to the outer diameter of the round tube 301. One end of the round tube 301 is passed through the strip groove 5 and fixed by tightening the nut 10 to the external thread of the round tube 301. The nut 10 is tightly abutted against the surface of the pressing rod. A rubber gasket is installed between the nut 10 and the surface of the pressing rod to enhance the stability of the fixation and prevent loosening after long-term use. This achieves the fixed position of the movable pressing roller 3 and ensures that the axis of the pressing roller 3 is perpendicular to the length direction of the pressing rod. When the nut 10 is loosened, the pressing roller 3 can be slid along the length direction of the strip groove 5 to adjust the pressing position and adapt to branches with different growth conditions.

[0020] The fixed pressing roller 4 has the same structure as the movable pressing roller 3. The end of the round tube on the fixed pressing roller 4 is fixedly welded to the other side of the end of the first pressing rod 1.

[0021] The specific operation process of this utility model is as follows: Based on the apple orchard's need for branch pressing, select one-year-old tender branches with a diameter of 5-10mm or two-year-old semi-lignified branches with a diameter of 10-20mm as the pressing targets. Assess the branch growth direction and target pressing angle, which is usually 30°-60°, depending on the tree canopy ventilation and light requirements. Mark the preset pressing position of the pressing roller 3.

[0022] Device inspection and adjustment: Check whether the pawl 8 and ratchet 7 of the locking assembly mesh smoothly, whether the roller 302 of the pressing roller rotates flexibly, and whether the nut 10 is loose; according to the diameter of the branch, adjust the position of the pressing roller 3 on the first pressing rod 1: loosen the nut 10, slide the pressing roller 3 along the strip groove 5 to the marked pressing position, and then tighten the nut 10 to ensure that the moving pressing roller 3 is fixed reliably.

[0023] Angle adjustment and locking: The operator holds the first branch pressing rod 1 near the fixed shaft 6 with one hand and the free end of the second branch pressing rod 2 with the other hand, and slowly rotates the second branch pressing rod 2 in the direction in which the branch needs to be bent; during the rotation, the pawl 8 slides along the surface of the ratchet teeth of the ratchet wheel 7 under the action of the torsion spring. When the target branch pressing angle is reached, the second branch pressing rod 2 is released, and the pawl 8 automatically engages in the gap between the ratchet teeth of the ratchet wheel 7 to achieve angle locking; at this time, the three sets of branch pressing rollers form a stable multi-segment pressing on the branch, and the branch is kept in the preset bending state.

[0024] Align the annular grooves of the three sets of pressing rollers with the branches, fix the pressing roller 4 to the base of the branch, and the movable pressing rollers 3 on the first pressing rod 1 and the second pressing rod 2 to the middle and tip of the branch respectively, to ensure that the branch is completely embedded in the annular groove and avoid slipping.

[0025] Secondary inspection and fine-tuning: Observe the pressing status of the branches. If it is found that a certain moving pressing roller 3 is not tightly attached to the branch, the corresponding nut 10 can be loosened to fine-tune the position of the moving pressing roller 3 and then fixed again to adjust the bending arc of the branch. If the pressing angle does not meet expectations, the end of the pawl 8 should be pressed in the opposite direction to overcome the preload of the torsion spring, so that the pawl 8 and the ratchet 7 are disengaged. Then rotate the second pressing rod 2 to adjust the angle. After the adjustment is completed, release the pawl 8 and lock it again.

[0026] After the pressing device is installed, it needs to be inspected every 7-10 days, focusing on whether the nut 10 is loose, whether the pawl 8 and ratchet 7 are still engaged, and whether the roller 302 has shifted position due to branch growth. If the nut is found to be loose, it needs to be tightened in time to prevent the pressing angle from changing. When the branch growth is stable, usually 30-45 days after pressing, the pressing device needs to be removed. First, press the end of the pawl 8 to release the lock, rotate the second pressing rod 2 to increase the angle between the two pressing rods, and then detach the three sets of pressing rollers from the branches to complete the disassembly. After disassembly, the dirt, branches and leaves and other impurities on the surface of the device need to be cleaned, and a small amount of lubricating oil such as lithium-based grease should be applied to the meshing parts of the ratchet 7 and pawl 8 for easy use next time.

[0027] This device allows for angle adjustment without the need for separate components, with each adjustment taking only 10-15 seconds, significantly improving work efficiency. It is suitable for batch pruning operations in orchards. The multi-segment pressing structure of the three sets of pressing rollers ensures uniform force distribution on the branches, resulting in higher stability and preventing branch damage or positional displacement. The strip groove 5 allows for flexible adjustment of the pressing point along the branch length, overcoming the limitation of "impossible pressing point adjustment." It can precisely apply force to different growth stages of individual branches, enhancing the flexibility of pruning operations. The annular groove of the pressing roller always closely conforms to the branch contour. For longer branches, the spacing between the three pressing points can be increased through the strip groove, resulting in more uniform force distribution on the branch and preventing excessive bending or displacement of the middle branch due to lack of support. For shorter branches, the spacing can be reduced to ensure that the three pressing points can act simultaneously within the effective length of the branch, avoiding pruning failure caused by "pressing points exceeding the branch's range."

[0028] In summary, this utility model apple pruning device, through its reasonable structural design, achieves convenient pruning operation, stable pressing, and wide applicability, fully meeting the needs of efficient, safe, and long-term stable pruning operations in apple cultivation.

Claims

1. An apple pressing device, comprising a first pressing rod (1) and a second pressing rod (2), wherein the ends of the first pressing rod (1) and the second pressing rod (2) are rotatably connected, characterized in that: It also includes a movable pressing roller (3), a fixed pressing roller (4), a strip groove (5), a nut (10), and a one-way rotation locking mechanism. The one-way rotation locking mechanism and the fixed pressing roller (4) are respectively located on both sides of the connection between the first pressing rod (1) and the second pressing rod (2). The strip groove (5) has two sections and is respectively arranged through the length direction of the first pressing rod (1) and the second pressing rod (2). One end of the movable pressing roller (3) is provided with a threaded section (303). The threaded section (303) passes through the strip groove (5) and is threadedly connected to the nut (10). The nut (10) is tightly abutted against the outer side of the first pressing rod (1) and the second pressing rod (2). The movable pressing roller (3) and the fixed pressing roller (4) are located on the same side of the first pressing rod (1) and the second pressing rod (2).

2. The apple branch-pressing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The one-way rotation locking mechanism includes a fixed shaft (6), a ratchet (7), a pawl (8), and a protrusion (9). The fixed shaft (6) is fixedly installed on one side of the end of the first pressing rod (1), and the fixed pressing roller (4) is fixedly installed on the other side of the end of the first pressing rod (1). The end of the second pressing rod (2) is rotatably connected to the outer circumferential wall of the fixed shaft (6). The ratchet (7) has ratchet teeth facing inward and is sleeved on the fixed shaft (6). The ratchet (7) is fixedly connected to the second pressing rod (2). The protrusion (9) is provided on the fixed shaft (6). The end of the protrusion (9) is hinged to the pawl (8) by a torsion spring. The pawl (8) cooperates with the ratchet teeth of the ratchet (7).

3. The apple branch-pressing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The movable pressing roller (3) includes a round tube (301) and a roller (302). The threaded section (303) is located at one end of the round tube (301), and the roller (302) is sleeved on the outside of the round tube (301). An annular groove (304) is opened on the outer ring surface of the roller (302).

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