Fruit harvesting device

Abstract

The invention belongs to the field of agricultural machinery intended for the mechanised harvesting of fruit and in particular relates to shaking and catching devices for fruit-bearing plants or shrubs. The invention relates to improving harvesting efficiency by reducing fruit losses and minimising damage caused to the plant during harvesting. For this purpose, the invention proposes a device mounted on a movable frame comprising: a catching system formed by movable retractable brushes that enclose the space at the lower end of the plant and carry the detached fruit towards a conveyor belt, and a shaking system formed by two opposing walls provided with groups of horizontally movable flexible bars that penetrate the foliage to cause the fruit to fall. The coordinated action of the two systems allows for harvesting to be carried out in a non-continuous manner, keeping the fruit inside a defined collection area and improving the overall yield of the process.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] DEVICE FOR HARVESTING FRUIT.

[0003] TECHNICAL SECTOR

[0004] The present invention relates to a device that has been specially designed to carry out the harvesting of fruits, such as blueberries, without excluding other types of fruit.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a mechanism that allows the fruit to be harvested automatically, by means of a harvesting machine, without damaging the plant or tree in question, with maximum efficiency and minimum fruit loss.

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In the practical application of the invention, harvesting devices are known that use vibrating systems that shake the plant as the machine advances, causing the fruit to fall onto a system of pivoting paddles that close the gaps at the bottom of the plants.

[0008] However, current mechanisms for collecting fallen fruit after shaking the trees have low efficiency, leaving a significant percentage of fruit to fall to the ground.

[0009] In this sense, the trailed harvesting machines available on the market collect dynamically, that is, they collect while moving forward, and it has been proven that this way of operating is not the most efficient.

[0010] EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The proposed fruit harvesting device fully and satisfactorily resolves the aforementioned problem, based on a highly effective solution. To this end, the invention presents two novel elements that make the harvesting process much more efficient.

[0012] On the one hand, the device of the invention incorporates a novel, highly efficient fruit collection system that does not damage the plant by means of brushes that close and surround it to collect the fruit.

[0013] In parallel, the device of the invention includes a mechanism to cause the selective and adjustable fall of the fruit without damaging the plant by means of two opposing walls, with finger-like bars, which are inserted into the plant and shake the fruit so that it falls selectively onto the brushes.

[0014] As for the operation of the machine, this is also completely different, since it collects while stationary, that is, at intervals, through successive advances of predetermined length, this being a fundamental point for the quality and efficiency of the result of the collection.

[0015] These two mechanisms are integrated into a rolling frame, like a bridge, whose upper branch includes joints to adapt to the width of the bushes or plants to be harvested.

[0016] The device can be towed by a conventional tractor or other specific machinery, powered by its cardan power take-off, its control electronics through 12V power supply from the tractor sockets and the control of the same by means of a wireless remote controlled by the operator.

[0017] Returning to the fruit collection system, it includes a retractable brush mechanism that closes off the lower part of the plant. These brushes are positioned at an angle of approximately 12°, so that any fruit falling onto them slides down to the collection conveyor belt located at the far end.

[0018] To ensure that no fruit remains on the brush, at the end of its retraction, the brushes tilt to approximately 30°, tipping any remaining debris onto the belt before starting the next cycle. As for the fruit stirring system, the device includes a mechanism involving two opposing walls containing several groups of flexible bars, made of plastic or similar material.

[0019] The bars move as they are inserted into the plants, allowing the fruit to fall onto the lower brushes described above.

[0020] Like the brush system, these walls are retractable to allow the machine to move forward when it is not harvesting.

[0021] Each wall is made up of at least two sets of rows containing sockets where the plastic bars that will shake the plant are inserted and secured.

[0022] These two sets move in opposite directions to each other, with a simultaneous and alternating back-and-forth motion, generating the vibration that will shake the plants when introduced into them.

[0023] At the ends, they have a row of other sets of vertical brushes that create a closed space, ensuring that all the fruit falls onto the lower brushes and, therefore, onto the conveyor belt.

[0024] This results in a highly effective and gentle mechanism for the plants, ideal for harvesting a wide variety of fruits.

[0025] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] To complement the description that follows and to aid in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is included as an integral part of said description, in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

[0027] Figure 1 shows a detailed elevation view of a fruit collection device made according to the object of the present invention at the level of the fruit collection system provided therein, which appears in the collection position. Figure 2 shows a view similar to that of Figure 1, but in which the brushes appear in the tipping position.

[0028] Figure 3 shows a perspective detail of one of the fruit shaking walls that participates in the fruit harvesting device of the invention.

[0029] Figure 4 shows a perspective detail of one of the moving structures involved in the mechanism of Figure 3.

[0030] Figure 5 shows an elevation view of the machine of the invention in its rest and forward position, in which the agitator walls are folded back on the harvester structure.

[0031] Figure 6 shows an elevation view of the machine of the invention in its harvesting starting position.

[0032] Figure 7 shows an elevation view of the machine of the invention in its agitation and collection position.

[0033] Figure 8 shows one of the brushes in detail and separately.

[0034] Figure 9 shows a plan view of the machine from the previous figures, with the collection mechanisms not deployed.

[0035] Figure 10 shows a view similar to that of Figure 9, but in which the collection mechanisms appear deployed.

[0036] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0037] In view of the figures described, and especially figure 5, it can be observed how the device of the invention is made up of a bridge-shaped frame equipped with wheels (2), in which two vertical columns (1) and an articulated upper crossbar (3) are established, by means of which the separation between the vertical columns (1) can be adjusted to adapt to the width of the plant (4) or shrub to be harvested, visible in figure 1. The device can be towed by a tractor vehicle or other specific machinery, powered by its cardan power take-off and its control electronics, through a 12V supply from the tractor's sockets, while its control will be carried out through a wireless remote controlled by the operator.

[0038] Well, according to one of the essential characteristics of the invention and, as can be seen in figures 1 and 2, a system for collecting fruit while stationary is mounted on the vertical columns (1) based on retractable brushes (5), which are movable along guides (6), and are associated with tilting heads (7), brushes that close the lower space of the plant (4), presenting an initial inclination of about 12°, which makes the fruit that falls on these brushes slide over them to the collection conveyor belt (8) located at the end, visible in figures 9 and 10.

[0039] To ensure that no fruit remains on the brush, at the end of its retraction, the brushes (5) are tilted by means of their heads until they reach an inclination of about 30°, as shown in figure 2, pouring any possible remains onto the belt before starting the next cycle again.

[0040] According to another of the essential features of the invention, the device has an agitator system, as shown in Figure 3, comprising two walls (9) arranged in respective vertical columns (1), and containing vague groups of bars (10) made of plastic or similar material.

[0041] The bars (10) are horizontally movable, by means of the movement of the walls (9) in which they are arranged, to be introduced into the plants and shaken, allowing the fruit to fall onto the brushes (5) mentioned above.

[0042] Like the brush system (5), these walls (9) are retractable by means of actuators (11) to allow the machine to move forward when it is not harvesting.

[0043] For illustrative purposes only, and in accordance with figures 3 and 4, each wall (9) could be formed by two sets of 4 stringers (12) containing bushings (13) where the bars (10) that will shake the plant are inserted and fixed.

[0044] These two sets on each wall (9) move in opposite directions, oscillating alternately, so that while one set moves in one direction, the other set will be moving in the opposite direction and vice versa, generating the vibration that will shake the plants when they enter them.

[0045] The length of the walls (9), approximately 2 meters, covers the entire length of each advance of the machine.

[0046] In turn, the ends of the walls (9) have a row of other sets of vertical brushes (14) that manage to generate a closed space, thus ensuring that all the fruit falls onto the lower brushes (5) and therefore onto the conveyor belt (8), and this also without the damage to the plant that a solid screen would produce.

[0047] Based on this structure, and according to figures 5 to 10, the process of advancement and collection is as follows:

[0048] The machine with all systems retracted (figure 5) enters a row of plants and advances until it covers a first section of the row, approximately 2 meters long.

[0049] Once in position and with the machine stopped, the brush groups (5) of the system are introduced towards the center of the machine, thus closing the lower part, as shown in figure 6, with the vertical brushes (14) being moved until they meet in the center, as shown in figure 7.

[0050] When the two groups of brushes (5 and 14) have come together in the center, as shown in figure 7, the two walls (9) of the agitation system begin to move the bars (10) as they are introduced towards the center of the machine, as shown in figure 7. Upon entering, the vibration throws the fruit onto the lower brushes (5).

[0051] Immediately after reaching their central position, the two stirring walls retract again, returning to the position shown in Figure 6.

[0052] When the agitation systems are retracted, the brushes (5) are withdrawn according to the inclination shown in figure 2, dumping any remaining fruit onto the conveyor belts (8). Once all the systems are in their initial position (figure 5), the machine advances a new section and the cycle begins again.

[0053] Figures 9 and 10 show the harvesting cycle from a plan view for better understanding.

[0054] As can be seen in Figure 9, the initial position of all the collection systems leaves an interior passage that allows the machine to advance along the rows of plants without affecting any of them.

[0055] As explained above, once the harvester is in the collection position, the collection system closes towards the center of the machine, as shown in Figure 10, so that the two rows of brushes (5) will cover the gaps between the trunks or stems of the plants to be harvested, generating a surface of predetermined length on which the fruit will fall towards the conveyor belt.

[0056] This results in a highly efficient harvesting system that does not damage the plants and allows for higher harvest yields.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A fruit harvesting device, of the type consisting of a bridge-shaped frame equipped with wheels (2), in which two vertical columns (1) and an articulated upper crossbar (3) are established, which includes means for regulating the separation between the vertical columns (1) in order to adapt to the width of the row of plants (4) or shrubs to be harvested, as well as means for its pulling, electrical supply and power take-off, is characterized in that it comprises the following mechanisms: a) A system for collecting fruit at rest based on retractable brushes (5), which are movable along guides (6), brushes associated with tilting heads (7), capable of closing the lower space of the plant (4) when deployed, presenting an adjustable inclination, brushes whose rear end discharges onto a conveyor belt (8). b) An agitator system comprising two walls (9) arranged in respective vertical columns (1), and containing two groups of bars (10) of flexible material, walls (9) movable horizontally in the direction of approach to the plants (4) by means of actuators (11) and equipped with agitation means. 2.- Device for collecting fruit, according to claim 1, wherein the brushes (5) are capable of adopting two different operating angular positions, one for collecting the fallen fruit, in which they adopt an inclination of about 12°, and one for dumping the fruit onto the conveyor belt (8), in which they adopt an inclination of about 30°. 3.- Device for collecting fruit, according to claim 1, wherein each wall (9) is formed by sets of stringers (12) containing bushings (13) where the bars (10) are inserted and fixed. 4.- Device for collecting fruit, according to claim 1, wherein the means for agitating the walls (9) include mechanisms for alternating oscillation in opposite directions of the stringer assemblies (12). 5.- Device for collecting fruit, according to claims 1, 3 and 4, wherein at the ends of the walls (9) vertical brush assemblies (14) are established to enclose the work space.

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