Plant positioner for cutting purposes

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plant positioner for cutting purposes, coupled to self-propelled or towed vehicles for pruning soybean fields. The system comprises two positioners (8) and (9) with conveyor belts (19) and rollers (18), which act as a funnel to compress the plant and optimize the cutting operation. To ensure efficiency, a synchronization system maintains the concentrator (CO) at the same speed as the vehicle. The operation is based on three stages: the first captures branches, stems, and leaves in the desired area; the second compresses and confines the plant material; and the third performs maximum compression, allowing the cutting device (24) to operate under optimal conditions. Cutting occurs below the positioner, ensuring that the lower part of the plant (1) remains intact after the operation, thereby ensuring the technical quality of the mechanized pruning.

Description

[0001] Plant Positioner for Cutting

[0002] Field of invention

[0003] This patent application refers to a plant concentrator that positions and slightly compresses plants for laser cutting or pruning, applied in agriculture; more specifically in the area of ​​agricultural machinery; with the purpose of concentrating soybean plants and their parts in order to optimize the cutting process, with the advantages of performing pruning in a single pass, with greater precision, promoting better growth, containing anti-jamming devices, preventing damage to the plant in case of any unforeseen event.

[0004] Fundamentals of the invention

[0005] Pruning in soybean cultivation is a technique aimed at improving plant development by concentrating nutrients and promoting healthier, more productive growth. While not a common practice for all soybean crops, it can be used for specific purposes, especially in intensive management systems or in areas where pest control and yield maximization are priorities.

[0006] Despite the benefits, pruning soybeans needs to be done carefully, as excessive removal of leaves or branches can harm development and reduce yield. Furthermore, results vary depending on the climate, soil, and management practices of each crop.

[0007] Laser pruning has already been addressed in patent BR1120200170720 by the same inventors, which describes a technology that uses lasers for field activities such as pruning, weeding, cutting, and photostimulation of plants. The system includes power and control modules, as well as a compressed gas module, which facilitates the precise and efficient execution of these agricultural tasks, replacing traditional implements and optimizing agricultural management.

[0008] Although patent BR1020200170724 reveals the use of lasers for pruning soybean plants in the field, the patent does not disclose a device that compresses the leaves to optimize cutting with just a single laser beam.

[0009] To make laser pruning of soybeans feasible, it is necessary to concentrate the entire plant (stem, branches, and leaves) as much as possible so that the laser beam is precise. Positioners similar to the platforms found on corn harvesters can be used in an initial stage, but they are not sufficient to achieve the necessary grouping for laser cutting.

[0010] It is technically known that agricultural machines for removing weeds in soybean crops already exist, using laser beams and camera detection. They operate through a combination of sensors, artificial intelligence (AI), and high-precision laser technology. This type of machine is designed to identify and eliminate weeds without damaging the soybean plants, allowing for sustainable and efficient pest control.

[0011] Searches conducted in Brazilian and international patent databases revealed the following findings.

[0012] The subject of US patent 3911651A discloses a soybean harvesting device, with a pair of counter-rotating blades mounted on a suspension frame at the front end of a grain combine harvester well above each row of soybeans to be harvested. US patent 3911651A uses saws for cutting instead of lasers, which can lead to damage to the saws, premature wear, and more complex assembly.

[0013] Patent RU2784488C2 discloses a harvesting system to increase efficiency and control during crop harvesting. The device features a wheeled harvesting vehicle and a harvesting unit containing various components, including a cutting mechanism and conveyor belts that move the harvested crops. The device also has a detection system, which includes sensors and a laser to monitor and identify problems such as cylinder blockages, uncut crop strips, and potential obstructions. This system can independently adjust cylinder sections to control plant distribution and ensure continuous operation. When the detection system identifies problems, it can activate automated responses, such as stopping or adjusting the speed of the conveyor belts to prevent obstructions or interruptions.

[0014] The equipment disclosed in RU2784488C2 mentions the use of laser for sensing, to detect obstructions in the process, but does not use it to perform pruning or cutting with the use of a leaf concentrator for cutting.

[0015] The patent RU2340157C1 utilizes a cutter bar with specially designed blades to cut plant stems quickly and efficiently. This system generally consists of double or serrated blades that move back and forth, allowing the plant stems to be cut in a clean and direct motion. This movement reduces the risk of clogging and ensures continuous cutting, even at high plant densities. Furthermore, the cutting system is integrated with a retention mechanism, meaning the stems are held firmly in place during cutting, reducing losses and improving accuracy. The cutter bar is designed to handle the resistance of soybean stems, allowing for a clean cut that facilitates the flow of plants to the threshing system, optimizing harvest performance.

[0016] The subject of patent JP2004321027A discloses a combine harvester that has, in its plant fractionation system, a set of rollers and guides that capture and direct the plants to the cutting mechanism; which cuts the stem close to the root and initiates the grain separation process, minimizing the amount of residue mixed with the harvested material.

[0017] This system, revealed by JP2004321027A, does not perform the compression required for laser pruning of soybean plants; it only fragments and cuts the stem, removing the entire plant.

[0018] The subject of patent HU181690B describes a harvesting mechanism that has an infeed system that collects plants directly from dense rows and guides the long stems to an ideal position within the combine harvester. This is done by a series of guides and rollers that organize the plants before they enter the cutting system. The stems are then guided to a precise cutting mechanism that separates the upper part of the plant, where the grains are located, from the stalk. This cut occurs at a carefully adjusted height to ensure the harvesting of ripe grains, minimizing waste and loss of useful material.

[0019] Similar to patent JP2004321027A, the mechanism disclosed by HU181690B does not compress the leaves along with the stem to perform the cut; it cuts the entire plant at a height sufficient to remove all the grains from the plant.

[0020] The "PLANT POSITIONER FOR CUTTING," the subject of this patent, presents a solution that needs to be installed on a vehicle, either self-propelled or towed. The synchronization system ensures that both sides of the positioner move at the same speed as the vehicle. The positioner consists of 3 stages of plant compression. The first ensures that all branches, stems, and leaves in the intended region are captured by the positioner. The second stage compresses and traps the branches, stems, and leaves in the intended region. The third stage compresses the plant to the maximum, so that the cutting operates under ideal conditions. The cutting occurs below the positioner, so that the plant below the cutting point (1) remains undamaged. Scrapers positioned on the moving parts ensure that the organic matter remaining after cutting does not accumulate.A cutting quality analysis module can be added, which in turn performs image or video analysis of the cut plants and sends this information to a central control room and / or equipment operator.

[0021] The prior art presents the following problems and technical shortcomings that have been solved by the present invention, shown below: a. The concentrators used in current harvesters do not perform adequate compression for cutting; they only direct the swath for cutting, which is normally done by knives or a cutting disc. This is solved with the development of a concentrator, positioned after the traditional platform, which guides the soybean plant through a funnel created by two conveyors, causing it to compress its leaves against the stem, optimizing the laser beam cut and achieving effective pruning; b. Some harvesters remove plants from the soil, such as carrots, but lack the adjustment or regulation of the device to only compress the plant for pruning, without damaging the plant or removing it from the soil.Solved by creating a device that performs compression to achieve precise pruning without damaging or removing the plant from the soil, with conveyor belts and rollers that, at the slightest sign of blockage, decompress the plant without damaging it; and c. Currently, soybean management does not utilize pruning techniques in the field, reducing the possibility of greater growth and consequently higher productivity. Solved by installing a device that prunes the plant using a leaf concentrator to cut at the desired height, precisely and without damaging the plant.

[0022] During the development process of the pruning system, the need for a positioning system to make the cutting process more effective was confirmed. This development led to the use of various layouts of fixed, mobile, and combined positioners. The fixed layouts (f) (g) (h) (i) showed improved cutting efficiency, but many plant jams still occurred. The improved layout was very promising, but it had large dimensions when attempting to use it in plantations with rows spaced between 45 and / or 50 cm. The disc size was necessary to encompass all the branches and leaves of the plant and concentrate them. A version combining the previous solutions was also used, generating a version with a system on each side. However, jams and dimensions were limiting factors. This led to the creation of the current concentrator system (j), in which the discs were replaced by conveyor belts with variable geometric shapes.In this way, it was possible to reduce the dimensions and take advantage of the unused layouts. Finally, a last concentration stage was added, exactly in the region where the cut occurs. In this way, there is a small region where the plant is compressed to the extreme. If jamming occurs at any stage, the plant is released.

[0023] By reducing the size of the cutting area by compressing the plant (11), the cutting becomes more efficient. When comparing the operation of the proposed system with that of corn harvesting platforms, for example, we have a smaller area where the presence of the piece that will actually perform the cutting is necessary. This smaller area allows for the application of other cutting techniques, different from the usual two-blade cutting techniques.

[0024] Brief description of the drawings

[0025] For a better understanding of the present patent, the following figures are attached:

[0026] Figure 1 illustrates the front view of the plant compression stages between (a) and (e), according to the advancement of the stage in which the plant is located in the concentrator (CO) with the top view corresponding to the movement (20) of the compressor (al) to (el); Figure 2 illustrates the schematic top view of the equipment development stages (f) to (i), up to its final version ü);

[0027] Figure 3 illustrates the cross-sectional view of the plants without the action of the positioner (k) before cutting and the cross-sectional view of the plants after cutting (kl);

[0028] Figure 4 illustrates the side view of the plants without the action of the positioner (k) before cutting and the cross view of the plants after cutting (kl);

[0029] Figure 5 illustrates the front view of the equipment's mechanical timing system;

[0030] Figure 6 illustrates the front view of the equipment's electro-electronic synchronization system;

[0031] Figure 7 illustrates the top view of the concentrator (CO); and

[0032] Figure 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of various possible roller profiles (18), in contact with the conveyor belt (19) and with the scrapers (21).

[0033] Description of the invention

[0034] According to the figures, a concentrator unit (CO) is equipped with two sets of positioners (8) and (9), right side (9) and left side (8) and are installed facing each other, forming the passage for the flow of plants (20).

[0035] The positioners (8) and (9) containing metallic rollers (18) with a cylindrical prismatic shape, wherein four rollers (18) are positioned at the vertices of the positioners (8) and (9), forming a trapezoid, in which the longer side of the trapezoid faces the outer side of the concentrator (CO), and one roller (18) is positioned centrally on the shorter edge of the trapezoid, on the inner part; contain conveyor belts (19), made of rubber, fabric, among others, smooth, corrugated, among others, with a straight profile, or with a single V, or with a double V, among others, positioned around the rollers (18) of each positioner (8) and (9);contains scrapers (21), metallic with a fold, has an edge for cleaning the rollers with a shape similar to the roller profile (18), positioned in such a way that the cleaning edge is in contact with each roller (18), on the opposite side of the contact with the conveyors (19), contains upper support plate, metallic and trapezoidal in shape, has bearings at all vertices, for fixing the rollers (18), contains lower plate, metallic and trapezoidal in shape, has bearings at all vertices, for fixing the rollers (18), equipped with support tubes, which join the horizontal structure to the positioners (8) and (9); equipped with a horizontal structure that contains a reduction gearbox (7), positioned on the support tube of each positioner (8) and (9); contains a transmission (6), connecting the reduction gearboxes (7) of each positioner (8) and (9);equipped with transmission (6), positioned inside the support tubes, performing the transmission from the reduction gearbox to the rollers (18).;

[0036] Additional scrapers (21) can be inserted along the system as needed to assist in removing dirt from the conveyor belts (19).

[0037] The mechanical power transmission system is equipped with a gear (5), positioned on the axle (4) of the wheel (3), equipped with a transmission (6), positioned between the gear (5) and the first reduction box (7), equipped with a cutting device (24), preferably laser-cut, but alternatively it may be of another cutting technology, positioned centrally on the edge of one of the pairs of the positioner (9), close to the roller (18) which is centrally positioned on the smaller edge of the positioner (8); equipped with compression pressure relief springs (22), fixed to the rollers (18) which are close to the cutting device (24).

[0038] Examples of embodiments of the invention

[0039] The concentrator (CO) requires synchronization between the movement of the equipment that transports it and the movement of the conveyor belts (19) of each positioner (8) and (9). This synchronization can be achieved in several ways, notably a mechanical method, as shown in Figure 5, and an electro-electronic method, as shown in Figure 6. For mechanical synchronization, the movement of the wheel (3) is used, where a gear (5) is coupled to its shaft (4). The movement and angular velocity of the wheel (3) are transmitted to the concentrator (CO) through a transmission (6) which can be of the type: chains, belts, shafts, gears, among others, to a set of gears and / or reduction (7). There will be one or more sets of reduction gearboxes (7) and transmissions (6), to adapt the transmission of movements and speeds until they reach the left (8) and right (9) positioners.The entire assembly involving wheel (3), wheel axle (4), gear (5), transmission (6), reduction gearbox (7), left positioner (8) and right positioner (9) is dimensioned and operates in such a way that the equipment's travel speed is equal to the concentrator's movement speed (CO).

[0040] The system has a clutch (23) that can be operated manually, pneumatically or electrically, so that the vehicle moving the concentrator (CO) can move without the concentrator (CO) moving. In this way the vehicle can also reach higher speeds for longer distances outside of operation.

[0041] As shown in figure 3, the concentrator (CO) was designed in such a way that it can be multiplexed in any quantity so that numerous plants (10) can be positioned at the same time, as in the case of crops where planting is carried out in rows with controlled size (2).

[0042] As shown in Figure 6, for electro-electronic synchronization, an encoder (13) fixed to the wheel shaft (4) can be used, generating information so that the electric motor (14) can move the positioner conveyors (8 and 9) at the appropriate speed and direction.

[0043] The left (8) and right (9) positioner sets do not need to have the same geometry and can have varied geometries to suit the mechanical structures that may support them. The rollers (18) are responsible for the geometry of the concentrator (CO) and for transmitting the movement and speed of the equipment to the conveyors (19). To avoid the accumulation of organic matter from the plants, there are scrapers (21) that remove it from the rollers (18) and conveyor (19) and let it fall to the ground, serving as forage along with the parts of the plants that were cut.

[0044] The compression stages 1 (15), 2 (16) and 3 (17) ensure that all plant parts enter the positioner and are properly compressed in order to achieve the optimized cut.

[0045] When the plant gets stuck in stages 1 (15) and 2 (16), of less intense compression, its release occurs with the stop of movement of the conveyor belt (19) in relation to the roller (18). Stage 3 (17) has a spring to relieve the compression pressure (22) that the roller exerts on the plant at its cutting point (1).

[0046] The cut quality analysis module is installed in a position that allows it to generate images of the loose plant after it has been removed from the positioner. It can be positioned either above the equipment, generating images from top to bottom, or at an angle, viewing the cuts in perspective.

[0047] The synchronization between the wheel (3), the entire speed adjustment and motion transmission system (4, 5, 6 and 7) and the positioners (8 and 9) ensures that there is no relative movement of the plant while the positioner positions and compresses the plant so that its cutting can be carried out.

[0048] According to figure 1, the plant (11) outside the positioner is positioned in the first compression stage of the positioner (15). In this stage the most distant branches and leaves are organized and captured so that they can pass through the 2 oCompression stage (16). In the second compression stage, the plant is held inside the positioner, but if any jamming occurs, the plant is automatically released, preventing damage to the machine and the plant. In the third stage (16), the plant is compressed to the extreme. This compression depends on the type of technology that will be used for cutting (1), such as: laser, hot wire, plasma, mechanical, among others. The compression level can be regulated by means of the spring (22). The spring (22) can also relieve the pressure exerted on the plant if any jamming occurs.

[0049] After going through the third stage, where cutting occurs, the part of the plant that remains attached to the ground becomes loose (12). The remains of the cut are left on the ground to serve as fodder.

[0050] If the cutting analysis module is added, it captures images and videos of the plant in the cutting area after it has passed through the entire concentrator (CO). This module will analyze the quality of the cut through automatic image and video processing. Information such as the number of complete cuts, inefficient cuts, partially cut plants, uncut plants, and others can be generated. This information can be stored in a central system and / or sent to the machine operator. The operator can then make adjustments to the concentrator (CO) or its operation to improve cutting effectiveness.

[0051] The cutting device (24) allows the application of techniques such as: blade, laser (gas such as CO2), optical fiber, solid state (such as Nd:YAG, diode, among others), water jet, plasma, hot wire, among others.

[0052] All concentration stages have an anti-jamming system which ensures that the plant is automatically released, protecting the mechanical parts of the system and the plant from being damaged or uprooted from the soil.

[0053] All stages are synchronized with the movement of the equipment; that is, while the cutting equipment moves forward, the positioning system moves backward, so that the plant remains static when the equipment moves.

[0054] It can achieve synchronization between the movement of the equipment and the positioner through mechanical linkages, using gears, shafts, chains and belts, among others, or also electro-electronically, using electric motors and sensors.

[0055] In the future, there is the possibility of adding a cutting analysis module, which can send information about the cutting quality to the machine operator and / or to a central control room.

Claims

MODIFIED CLAIMS Received by the International Secretariat on April 22, 2026 (22.04.2026) 1. PLANT POSITIONER FOR CUTTING, by pruning the aerial part of plants, particularly plants belonging to the legume family, keeping the plant rooted and intact below the cutting point where the plant concentrator (CO) is characterized by being equipped with: a plurality of positioners (8) and (9), right side (9) and left side (8) and are installed facing each other, which contain metallic rollers (18) with a cylindrical prismatic shape, wherein four rollers (18) are positioned at the vertices of the positioners (8) and (9), forming a trapezoid, wherein the longer side of the trapezoid faces the outer side of the concentrator (CO), and one roller (18) is positioned centrally on the shorter edge of the trapezoid, on the inner part;wherein the arrangement of the rollers (18) in each positioner (8) and (9) defines three progressive stages of plant compression, wherein the first stage is intended for capturing branches, stems and leaves, the second stage is intended for compression and trapping, and the third stage is intended for maximum compression in the cutting region; contains conveyors (19), made of rubber or fabric, smooth or corrugated, with a straight profile, or with a single V, or with a double V, among others, positioned around the rollers (18) of each positioner (8) and (9); contains scrapers (21), metallic with a fold, has an edge for cleaning the rollers with a shape similar to the profile of the roller (18), positioned in such a way that the cleaning edge is in contact with each roller (18), on the opposite side of the contact with the conveyors (19), contains compression pressure relief springs (22) fixed to the rollers (18) near the cutting device (24), as an anti-locking system;contains a trapezoidal-shaped metallic upper support plate, with bearings at all vertices for fixing the rollers (18); contains a trapezoidal-shaped metallic lower plate, with bearings at all vertices for fixing the rollers (18); equipped with support tubes that connect the horizontal structure to the positioners (8) and (9); contains a cutting device (24) positioned centrally on the edge of one of the pairs of positioners (8) and (9), close to the roller (18) centered on the smaller edge of the positioner; a power transmission system that has a horizontal structure containing a reduction gearbox (7), positioned on the support tube of each positioner (8) and (9); contains a transmission (6), connecting the reduction gearboxes (7) of each positioner (8) and (9); equipped with a transmission (6), positioned inside the support tubes, performing the transmission from the reduction gearbox to the rollers (18).

2. PLANT POSITIONER CLUTCH FOR CUTTING, according to claim 1 wherein the power transmission system is provided with a clutch (23) which is characterized by being actuated manually, pneumatically or electrically, to allow the transport vehicle to move without the concentrator (CO) moving.

3. PLANT POSITIONER FOR CUTTING, according to claim 1, the concentrator (CO) is characterized by being multiplexed in any quantity so that numerous plants (10) can be positioned.

4. PLANT POSITIONER FOR CUTTING, according to claim 1, the transmission system is characterized by being alternatively electro-electronic, using an encoder (13) fixed to the wheel shaft (4), generating information so that the electric motor (14) moves the positioner tracks (8 and 9) at the appropriate speed and direction. MODIFIED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 5. PLANT POSITIONER FOR CUTTING, according to claim 1, the cutting device (24) is characterized by being of the blade type, laser (gas such as CO2), fiber optic, solid state, water jet, plasma, hot wire, or similar. MODIFIED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) [0001] DECLARATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 19.1 [0002]PCT / BR2025 / 050497 [0003]ALLS - ANTUÉRPIA AGRI LASER SYSTEMS LTDA., applicant for international patent application PCT / BR2024 / 050599, through its undersigned attorney, in response to the submission of the International Search Report and the Written Opinion of the Authority Responsible for the International Search issued on February 28, 2026, submits a DEMONSTRATIVE TABLE OF CORRECTIONS with the original Claims, where words that are eliminated from the claims are STRIKETHROUGHOUT, and words that remain INTACT are those that are maintained in their original form and words that will be included in the new claims are UNDERLINED.

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