Handheld weed removal tool

Abstract

A hand-held weed removal device consisting of an elongated shaft with a handle on a first section and a cylindrical hollow body on a second section located near the soil surface, an imaging unit for detecting weeds and a holographic projection unit for positioning the user over the weeds, an ultrasonic sensor for detecting weed dimensions, a motorized slider for moving a pair of curved, sharp-edged jaws towards each other, a rotary device for rotating a plate and a hydraulic link that extends synchronously with the rotary device to insert the jaws into the soil around the weeds, an L-shaped, telescopically operated pole attached to two poles that align next to an uprooted weed, and two motorized pin joints for striking the weeds to remove soil.

Description

Application area of ​​the invention

[0001] The invention relates to hand-held agricultural and horticultural equipment for selective weed removal, which combines computer-aided image processing, ultrasonic distance measurement and coordinated mechanical grippers with penetration and soil removal functions to remove weeds with intact roots. Background of the invention

[0002] Manual weed control tools typically use tines, forks, or gripping arms that require precise alignment to grasp roots and often leave behind fragments that regrow. Computer-aided image processing and depth measurement can locate targets and estimate dimensions for tool alignment, while motorized gripping arms improve grip on taproots or fibrous root clumps. Integrating guidance into a synchronized gripping and penetration sequence, followed by soil removal, reduces effort and improves removal quality compared to purely manual tools. Summary of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to a handheld device with an elongated shaft and handle, a cylindrical hollow body near the ground containing an imaging unit for weed detection and a holographic projection unit for positioning the user over the weed, and an ultrasonic sensor for estimating weed width and stem geometry. A motorized slider assembly moves two curved, sharp-edged gripping jaws toward each other; a hydraulic linkage extends synchronously with a rotary device that rotates a plate to insert the gripping jaws into the soil around the weed. An L-shaped telescopic pole carries two rods that align alongside the uprooted weed to stabilize and catch it; motorized pin joints then strike the weed to remove soil from the roots.

[0004] In embodiments, the control unit fuses image and ultrasound data to determine the jaw spacing and penetration depth, controls the rotation and hydraulic extension for effortless insertion, closes the jaws at a target radius, and performs a twist and lift extraction followed by contact blows to loosen the soil and facilitate disposal. Detailed description

[0005] The elongated shaft ends in a cylindrical hollow housing near the bottom, which contains the following: A downward-facing imaging unit (e.g., camera with lighting) for weed detection and center of gravity determination.

[0006] A holographic projection unit that projects alignment marks or contour outlines onto the ground within the housing surface, assisting the user in centering the device over the weeds.

[0007] An ultrasonic distance sensor array measures the stem width and local surface distance to calculate the recommended jaw spacing and penetration depth.

[0008] Inside the cylindrical housing, opposing, curved, and sharp-edged jaws slide on linear guides mounted on a motorized carriage. The leading edges of the jaws are chamfered to minimize soil disturbance and to enclose the root neck as they converge. The carriage is driven by a compact motor and a spindle or rack and pinion drive, with the position being fed back to control the jaw gap.

[0009] A rotating device consists of a circular disc arranged coaxially with the housing and driven by a geared motor. A hydraulic element—comprising a miniature hydraulic cylinder and a hydraulic reservoir—extends synchronously with the rotation and presses the jaws downwards as the disc turns. This creates a spiral penetration path that penetrates the soil with reduced peak force. The valve control coordinates the extension with the angle of rotation to adapt to the soil conditions.

[0010] An L-shaped, telescopic rod attached to the shaft extends after removal. At its distal end are two bars that, with the aid of small servo motors, grip the root mass, stabilizing it for shaking or repositioning. Two motorized pin joints near the bars actuate impact devices on the root ball to remove adhering soil without damaging the plant waste container or surrounding plants.

[0011] The control unit housed in the shaft executes a detection and action sequence: camera image acquisition and weed localization; projection of alignment aids; ultrasonic verification of the target size; calculation of the jaw spacing and insertion depth; control of the rotating plate and hydraulic extension; closing of the jaws; controlled rotation and lifting; extension of the rods; actuation of the pin joints to eject the soil; retraction of the rods and jaws. Safety interlocks deactivate the movement if the misalignment exceeds a tolerance or a foreign object is detected.

[0012] Power is supplied by a battery in the handle; operation is via a trigger and a mode selector switch. Status LEDs indicate alignment readiness and extraction phases. The lower housing of the device is dustproof and moisture-resistant; a carrying strap and an ergonomic center of gravity reduce user fatigue.

[0013] During operation, the user positions the device over the weed using the holographic crosshairs, starts the extraction, and the coordinated insertion-gripping-lifting sequence removes the weed along with the root; soil ejection clamps clean the root mass before disposal, reducing soil displacement and labor.

Claims

[1] A hand-held weed removal device comprising an elongated shaft with a handle on a first section and a cylindrical hollow body on a second section located near the soil surface, an imaging unit for detecting weeds and a holographic projection unit for positioning the user over the weeds, an ultrasonic sensor for detecting the dimensions of the weeds, a motorized slider for moving a pair of curved, sharp-edged jaws towards each other, a rotary device for rotating a plate and a hydraulic link that extends synchronously with the rotary device to insert the jaws into the soil around the weeds, an L-shaped, telescopically operated pole attached to two poles that align next to an uprooted weeds, and two motorized pin joints for striking the weeds to remove soil. [2] Device according to claim 1, wherein a control unit fuses image and ultrasound data to adjust jaw spacing and penetration depth, and coordinates rotation, hydraulic extension and jaw closure to perform a twist and lift extraction sequence. [3] Device according to claim 1, wherein the holographic projection unit projects an alignment cross onto the ground within a base area of ​​the cylindrical hollow body and wherein the extraction movement is suppressed unless the center of gravity of a detected weed lies within a tolerance of the target cross. [4] Device according to claim 1, wherein the motorized pin joints deliver sudden shocks with controlled amplitude and frequency to loosen soil from the roots after removal, and the L-shaped telescopic pole stabilizes the uprooted weeds during the dropping and transport of the soil.