Apparatus for fruit harvesting
The fruit harvesting apparatus with a gyroscopic mechanism and motorized actuators passively aligns the fruit's axis with the motion direction, enhancing efficiency and reducing complexity and damage during detachment.
WO2026139778A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-07-02FOND INST ITAL DI TECH
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- FOND INST ITAL DI TECH
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-02
AI Technical Summary
Technical Problem
Existing fruit harvesting technologies are inefficient and costly due to the need for advanced vision systems and complex kinematics to accurately identify and orient fruits, often failing to detach them correctly without damaging the stem.
Method used
A fruit harvesting apparatus with a gyroscopic mechanism connecting the gripping element to linear motion means, allowing passive alignment of the fruit's axis with the motion direction, using a suction cup and motorized actuators for twisting and helicoidal motion.
Benefits of technology
Enables efficient fruit detachment with intact stems, reducing computational costs and mechanical complexity, allowing harvesting from any direction and minimizing fruit stress.
✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.
Smart Images
Figure IB2025062935_02072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Apparatus (1) for fruit harvesting of the type suitable to remove a fruit (A) from its plant, said apparatus comprising a gripping element (2) operable to be made integral with said fruit to be harvested; linear motion means (3) of the gripping element to bring the gripping element (2) closer to the fruit to be harvested and to retract the gripping element and the fruit according to a predefined motion direction (X); the gripping element (2) is connected to the linear motion means (3) by means of a gyroscopic mechanism (4) so that, when the gripping element is associated with a fruit hung to the relative plant, as a consequence of operating the motion means to retract the gripping element (2), the pulling force (T) on the fruit tends to passively align the axis of the fruit (F) with the motion direction (X).
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