A fruit picking device

Abstract

The application discloses a fruit picking device and relates to the technical field of fruit picking. The application provides a fruit picking device, which comprises a picking rod, the end of which is provided with a placing hole; and a picking piece, which is arranged at the end of the picking rod and is used for making fruits fall off from fruit stalks and enter the placing hole; wherein a bearing piece for bearing the fruits is arranged in the placing hole, and a fixing plate located below the bearing piece is further arranged in the placing hole; the fixing plate is provided with elastic supporting pieces, the elastic supporting pieces support the bearing piece, and the elastic supporting pieces can be elastically deformed when the fruits fall onto the bearing piece.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of fruit picking technology, and more particularly to a fruit picking device. Background Technology

[0002] In fruit cultivation, different varieties of fruit exhibit varying growth heights due to differences in growth characteristics and cultivation management methods. Some fruits, such as apples, pears, and citrus, grow naturally or after pruning and shaping, with some fruits reaching heights beyond direct harvesting. For these fruits at a certain height, it is often impossible for harvesters to reach and harvest them directly due to their own height.

[0003] To overcome this height limitation, harvesters typically need to use various tools to assist in the harvesting task. Common harvesting tools include long-handled shears and harvesting poles, which extend the harvester's operating range, allowing them to reach and harvest fruit at higher elevations. However, when tools are used to separate the fruit from the stem and let it fall, there is usually a certain vertical height difference between the receiving container and the fruit. During the free fall, due to gravity, the fruit will impact the bottom of the container or other fruit inside at a certain speed. This impact force may cause varying degrees of damage to the fruit, specifically manifested as abrasions, bruises, and cracks on the fruit's surface. Utility Model Content

[0004] The main objective of this application is to provide a fruit picking device that addresses the technical problem in the prior art where collisions occur between the fruit and the collection container, or between the fruit and itself, during fruit picking using picking tools, resulting in damage to the fruit.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides a fruit picking device, comprising: The harvesting pole has a placement hole at its end; A picking tool, which is disposed at the end of the picking rod, is used to detach the fruit from the stem and allow it to enter the placement hole; The placement hole is equipped with a support member for carrying fruit, and a fixing plate located below the support member is also provided in the placement hole. An elastic support member is provided on the fixing plate to support the support member. When the fruit falls onto the support member, the elastic support member can undergo elastic deformation.

[0006] Optionally, the picking component includes a positioning ring connected to the picking rod. The positioning ring is provided with a plurality of positioning protrusions arranged circumferentially, and all the positioning protrusions extend radially inward.

[0007] Optionally, there is a positioning gap between adjacent positioning protrusions, the width of which gradually decreases in the radially inward direction.

[0008] Optionally, the elastic support includes a positioning plate, a positioning post, a positioning cylinder, and a support spring; the positioning plate is disposed on the fixed plate, the lower end of the positioning post is connected to the positioning plate, the upper end of the positioning cylinder is connected to the bearing member, the lower end of the positioning cylinder has a positioning hole for accommodating the positioning post, the upper part of the positioning post is located in the positioning hole, the support spring is sleeved around the positioning post, and the support spring is located between the positioning cylinder and the positioning plate.

[0009] Optionally, the sidewall of the placement hole is provided with a plurality of outlet holes, the carrier has an arc-shaped guide surface, the carrier also has an outlet end, the guide surface is inclined in the direction close to the outlet end so that the fruit on the carrier can move in the direction close to the outlet end, and the outlet end can be aligned with each outlet hole in sequence.

[0010] Optionally, all the outlet holes are located at the same height, so that when the outlet end is aligned with the outlet hole, the guide surface of the carrier is located above the remaining outlet holes.

[0011] Optionally, the outer wall of the positioning post is provided with a guide block, the guide block extends along the axial direction of the positioning post, and the inner wall of the positioning hole of the positioning cylinder is provided with a guide groove for cooperating with the guide block.

[0012] Optionally, a drive motor is provided on the fixed plate, a drive gear is sleeved on the output shaft of the drive motor, and an annular driven gear ring is provided on the periphery of the positioning plate, with the drive gear meshing with the driven gear ring.

[0013] Optionally, the upper end of the fixing plate is provided with an annular first groove, and the lower end of the positioning plate is provided with an annular second groove. The first groove and the second groove engage to form a ball groove, and the ball groove is filled with a ball body.

[0014] Optionally, a delivery hose is connected to the periphery of each of the outlet holes.

[0015] The beneficial effects that this application can achieve are: This application discloses a fruit picking device. The device includes a support member inside a placement hole, with an elastic support member below the support member. When fruit detaches from its stem, enters the placement hole, and falls onto the support member, the elastic support member undergoes elastic deformation, effectively absorbing the impact force of the fruit against the support member. This reduces the hard collision between the fruit and the support member, thereby minimizing damage to the fruit during picking, maintaining its integrity and appearance, and increasing its commercial value. Pickers simply hold a picking pole, align the picking member with the fruit stem, and manipulate the picking member to detach the fruit from the stem and place it into the placement hole. The entire picking process requires no complex movements or skills; it is simple and convenient to operate, even for inexperienced pickers, improving the ease of picking. Because the support member and elastic support member inside the placement hole effectively cushion the impact of the falling fruit, the fruit remains relatively stable on the support member and will not be ejected from the placement hole due to violent collisions. This allows pickers to continue picking without frequently stopping to tidy up the fallen and messy fruit, reducing downtime and improving picking efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the fruit picking device according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged structural diagram at point A in the middle; Figure 3 This is a top view of the structure at the support component; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the fruit picking device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0017] The numbers on the map are: 10-Picking rod, 11-Placement hole, 20-Picking component, 21-Positioning ring, 22-Positioning protrusion, 23-Positioning gap, 30-Bearing component, 31-Guide surface, 40-Outlet hole, 50-Elastic support component, 51-Positioning cylinder, 52-Positioning column, 53-Supporting spring, 54-Positioning plate, 55-Guide groove, 56-Guide block, 60-Drive motor, 61-Drive gear, 62-Driven gear ring, 70-Ball body, 80-Fixing plate, 90-Conveying hose.

[0018] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this application will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0019] 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.

[0020] It should be noted that all directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in this utility model embodiment are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicator will also change accordingly.

[0021] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connection," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "fixing" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can mean a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can mean 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.

[0022] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this utility model involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the meaning of "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions; for example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

[0023] Example 1 Reference Figures 1-4 The first embodiment of this application provides a fruit picking device, including: The picking rod 10 has a placement hole 11 at its end; The picking element 20 is disposed at the end of the picking rod 10 and is used to detach the fruit from the stem and into the placement hole 11. The placement hole 11 is provided with a support member 30 for carrying fruit. The placement hole 11 is also provided with a fixing plate 80 located below the support member 30. An elastic support member 50 is provided on the fixing plate 80. The elastic support member 50 supports the support member 30. When the fruit falls onto the support member 30, the elastic support member 50 can undergo elastic deformation.

[0024] In this embodiment, the picking rod 10 is cylindrical in shape, and the placement hole 11 is only located at the upper end of the picking rod 10. The placement hole 11 can also be through the axial direction of the picking rod 10 to reduce the weight of the harvested fruit. The picking rod 10 can be used for manual fruit picking or it can be mounted on a robotic arm for picking. The picking component 20 is located at the end of the picking rod 10. The picking component 20 can be connected to the picking rod 10 by welding, bonding, or threaded connection. The picking component 20 allows the fruit to detach from the stem, and the fruit enters the placement hole 11 after detaching from the stem. A support component 30 is provided in the placement hole 11, and a fixing plate 80 is provided below the support component 30. The fixing plate 80 supports the support component 30 and the elastic support component 50. The fixing plate 80 can be connected to the picking rod 10 by welding, bonding, or integral molding. When fruit falls into the placement hole 11, it comes into contact with the support member 30. The impact force of the fruit is transmitted through the support member 30 to the elastic support member 50. The elastic support member 50 undergoes elastic deformation, absorbing part of the impact force and cushioning the fruit. This reduces the hard collision between the fruit and the support member 30, protecting the fruit and reducing damage during harvesting. This maintains the integrity and appearance of the fruit, increasing its commercial value. After one harvest or several consecutive harvests, the stored fruit in the placement hole 11 needs to be manually removed.

[0025] Example 2 As an optional implementation, this embodiment provides a specific structure of a picking member 20, including: the picking member 20 includes a positioning ring 21, the positioning ring 21 is connected to the picking rod 10, the positioning ring 21 is provided with a plurality of positioning protrusions 22 arranged in a circumferential direction, and all the positioning protrusions 22 extend radially inward.

[0026] Specifically, the positioning ring 21 can be connected to the picking rod 10 by bonding, welding, or threading, making the positioning ring 21 and the picking rod 10 a whole. Multiple positioning protrusions 22 are provided at the upper end of the positioning ring 21. All positioning protrusions 22 are arranged in a ring, extending radially inward. The inner ends of all positioning protrusions 22 enclose a through hole, through which the fruit enters the placement hole 11 when picking fruit. Furthermore, the positioning protrusions 22 can also be arc-shaped protrusions outward along the axial direction. Compared to horizontal radial inward extension of the positioning protrusions 22, the arc-shaped protrusions can increase the volume of the placement hole 11 to a certain extent, making it more conducive to accommodating fruit.

[0027] Optionally, there is a positioning gap 23 between adjacent positioning protrusions 22, and the width of the positioning gap 23 gradually decreases in the radial inward direction.

[0028] Specifically, by setting the positioning gap 23, during fruit harvesting, the fruit first passes through and enters the placement hole 11. Then, the harvesting rod 10 is moved laterally, allowing the fruit stem to enter the positioning gap 23. At this point, the positioning protrusion 22 acts as a barrier, applying a downward force to the harvesting rod 10, i.e., applying a downward pulling force to the fruit, causing it to detach from the stem. Furthermore, the edges of the positioning protrusion 22 can be polished to a blade-like shape, and then the edges of the positioning protrusion 22 can be used to cut the fruit stem, causing the fruit to detach from the tree.

[0029] Example 3 As an optional implementation, this embodiment provides a specific structure of an elastic support member 50, including: a positioning plate 54, a positioning post 52, a positioning cylinder 51, and a support spring 53; the positioning plate 54 is disposed on the fixed plate 80, the lower end of the positioning post 52 is connected to the positioning plate 54, the upper end of the positioning cylinder 51 is connected to the bearing member 30, the lower end of the positioning cylinder 51 has a positioning hole for accommodating the positioning post 52, the upper part of the positioning post 52 is located in the positioning hole, the support spring 53 is sleeved around the positioning post 52, and the support spring 53 is located between the positioning cylinder 51 and the positioning plate 54.

[0030] Specifically, such as Figure 2As shown, the upper end of the positioning cylinder 51 is connected to the carrier 30, and the lower end of the positioning pin 52 is connected to the positioning plate 54. The upper end of the positioning pin 52 extends into the positioning hole of the positioning cylinder 51, and the positioning pin 52 can move along its extension direction in the positioning hole, thereby realizing the lifting and lowering movement of the carrier 30. An annular retaining ring is provided on the outer wall of the positioning cylinder 51, and the support spring 53 is located between the retaining ring and the positioning ring 21. The support spring 53 provides elastic support for the carrier 30 and the positioning cylinder 51 as a whole. The support spring 53 can be a light spring, so that the support spring 53 can absorb the small impact force of the fruit.

[0031] Optionally, the sidewall of the placement hole 11 is provided with multiple outlet holes 40, the carrier 30 has an arc-shaped guide surface 31, the carrier 30 also has an outlet end, the guide surface 31 is inclined in the direction close to the outlet end so that the fruit on the carrier 30 can move in the direction close to the outlet end, and the outlet end can be aligned with each outlet hole 40 in sequence.

[0032] Specifically, by providing multiple outlet holes 40 on the side wall of the placement hole 11, the fruit inside the placement hole 11 can be discharged and collected through the outlet holes 40, allowing the placement hole 11 to continuously hold fruit, which is beneficial for continuous fruit harvesting and improves harvesting efficiency. A guide surface 31 is provided on the carrier 30. The guide surface 31 is an arc-shaped curved surface so that when fruit falls onto the carrier 30, the fruit can move along the guide surface 31 of the carrier 30. Furthermore, the guide surface 31 is inclined towards the outlet end, allowing the fruit to move towards the outlet end. Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the right end of the carrier 30 is the outlet end. The outlet end can be aligned with the outlet hole 40, and the fruit is guided to the outlet hole 40 for export via the guide surface 31.

[0033] Optionally, all the outlet holes 40 are at the same height so that when the outlet end is aligned with the outlet hole 40, the guide surface 31 of the carrier 30 is above the remaining outlet holes 40.

[0034] Specifically, all the outlet holes 40 are the same size, the guide holes are at the same height, the outlet end of the guide surface 31 of the carrier 30 is at the lower end, and the rest are at the higher end, so as to ensure that when the outlet end is aligned with one of the outlet holes 40, the rest of the outlet holes 40 are blocked, ensuring that the fruit on the upper end of the carrier 30 can only be exported through the outlet hole 40 aligned with the outlet end.

[0035] Optionally, the outer wall of the positioning post 52 is provided with a guide block 56, which extends along the axial direction of the positioning post 52, and the inner wall of the positioning hole of the positioning cylinder 51 is provided with a guide groove 55 for cooperating with the guide block 56.

[0036] Specifically, by setting guide blocks 56 and guide grooves 55, the positioning cylinder 51 and positioning post 52 can only move relative to each other in the vertical direction. The guide blocks 56 and guide grooves 55 act as circumferential limiters, ensuring that when a circumferential rotational force is applied to the positioning post 52, the positioning cylinder 51 and positioning post 52 can move circumferentially, thereby aligning the outlet end with the circumferentially distributed outlet holes 40. The advantage of this design is that, after the outlet end of the carrier 30 is aligned with different outlet holes 40, the fruit on the carrier 30 can be exported through these holes. During continuous harvesting, the fruit is exported through different outlet holes 40, allowing sufficient time for fruit collection and preventing collisions with subsequent fruit before collection, thus avoiding fruit damage.

[0037] Optionally, a drive motor 60 is provided on the fixed plate 80, a drive gear 61 is sleeved on the output shaft of the drive motor 60, and an annular driven gear ring 62 is provided on the periphery of the positioning plate 54, with the drive gear 61 meshing with the driven gear ring 62.

[0038] Specifically, the positioning plate 54 is rotated and moved by the drive motor 60. A control button can be set on the picking rod 10, which is electrically connected to the drive motor 60 to control the start and stop of the drive motor 60 and adjust the mode, etc. Four outlet holes 40 can be set on the side wall of the placement hole 11, with the central angle of adjacent outlet holes 40 being 90 degrees. A single operation of the drive motor 60 can drive the positioning plate 54 to rotate 90 degrees.

[0039] Optionally, the upper end of the fixing plate 80 is provided with an annular first groove, and the lower end of the positioning plate 54 is provided with an annular second groove. The first groove and the second groove engage to form a ball groove, and the ball groove is filled with a ball body 70.

[0040] Specifically, both the first and second grooves are arc-shaped semi-groove structures. The first and second grooves interlock to form an annular ball groove, into which the ball body 70 is filled. This reduces the rotational friction between the positioning plate 54 and the fixed plate 80 when the positioning plate 54 rotates. It should be noted that a limiting plate can also be provided on the fixed plate 80 above the positioning plate 54 to ensure that the first and second grooves do not misalign and that the ball body 70 does not detach from the ball groove. A limiting flange can also be provided within the placement hole 11 above the carrier 30 to limit the maximum upward travel position of the carrier 30.

[0041] Optionally, each outlet port 40 is externally connected to a delivery hose 90.

[0042] Specifically, the conveying hose 90 can be made of soft fabric, so that when the fruit moves inside the conveying hose 90, the fruit can collide with the inner wall of the conveying hose 90. Since the conveying hose 90 is supported by fabric, the fruit will not have a rigid collision with the inner wall of the conveying hose 90, ensuring that the fruit will not be damaged. At the same time, it increases the friction when the fruit contacts the inner wall of the conveying hose 90, reducing the falling speed of the fruit. A collection container can be set at the outlet end of the conveying hose 90 to collect the fruit.

[0043] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and do not limit the patent scope of this application. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made using the content of this application's specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A fruit picking device, characterized in that, include: The harvesting pole has a placement hole at its end; A picking tool, which is disposed at the end of the picking rod, is used to detach the fruit from the stem and allow it to enter the placement hole; The placement hole is equipped with a support member for carrying fruit, and a fixing plate located below the support member is also provided in the placement hole. An elastic support member is provided on the fixing plate to support the support member. When the fruit falls onto the support member, the elastic support member can undergo elastic deformation.

2. The fruit picking device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The picking component includes a positioning ring, which is connected to the picking rod. The positioning ring has multiple positioning protrusions arranged circumferentially, and all the positioning protrusions extend radially inward.

3. The fruit picking device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, There is a positioning gap between adjacent positioning protrusions, and the width of the positioning gap gradually decreases in the radial inward direction.

4. The fruit picking device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic support includes a positioning plate, a positioning post, a positioning cylinder, and a support spring; the positioning plate is disposed on the fixed plate, the lower end of the positioning post is connected to the positioning plate, the upper end of the positioning cylinder is connected to the bearing member, the lower end of the positioning cylinder has a positioning hole for accommodating the positioning post, the upper part of the positioning post is located in the positioning hole, the support spring is sleeved around the positioning post, and the support spring is located between the positioning cylinder and the positioning plate.

5. The fruit picking device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The sidewall of the placement hole is provided with multiple outlet holes. The carrier has an arc-shaped guide surface and an outlet end. The guide surface is inclined in the direction close to the outlet end so that the fruit on the carrier can move in the direction close to the outlet end. The outlet end can be aligned with each outlet hole in sequence.

6. The fruit picking device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, All of the outlet holes are located at the same height, so that when the outlet end is aligned with the outlet hole, the guide surface of the carrier is located above the remaining outlet holes.

7. The fruit picking device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The outer wall of the positioning post is provided with a guide block, which extends along the axial direction of the positioning post. The inner wall of the positioning hole of the positioning cylinder is provided with a guide groove for cooperating with the guide block.

8. The fruit picking device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, A drive motor is provided on the fixed plate, and a drive gear is sleeved on the output shaft of the drive motor. An annular driven gear ring is provided on the periphery of the positioning plate, and the drive gear meshes with the driven gear ring.

9. The fruit picking device as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The upper end of the fixing plate is provided with an annular first groove, and the lower end of the positioning plate is provided with an annular second groove. The first groove and the second groove engage to form a ball groove, and the ball groove is filled with a ball body.

10. The fruit picking device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, Each of the outlet holes is externally connected to a delivery hose.

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