Angled Roller Mechanism for Trellis Branch Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for removing cut branches from trellises, particularly vine trellises, often cause the trellis wires to be pulled in or torn due to the mechanical pulling action, leading to structural stress and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A device with a pair of rotationally driven wheels or rollers that can rotate in opposite directions, positioned at an angle between 5° and 85° relative to the trellis rows, which prevents the trellis wires from being pulled in by allowing them to avoid the gap between the wheels, and includes a feed screw for gentle and efficient branch removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If two counter-rotating rollers or wheels are used to pull out canes from the trellis, then the cane removal efficiency is improved, but the trellis wires may be drawn in or broken due to excessive stress
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the orientation of the rollers from a horizontal arrangement (parallel to the trellis) to an inclined arrangement (at an angle of 5° to 85° relative to the vine rows). This dimensional change in the roller configuration allows the canes to be gripped and pulled out effectively while preventing the trellis wires from being drawn in, as the inclined position causes the wires to bypass the rollers rather than being caught between them.
2Reliability
If additional mechanisms are added to prevent wire drawing in, then wire protection is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for additional protective mechanisms (such as pre-mounted finger wheels or wire removal systems) by incorporating the wire protection function directly into the basic roller configuration. The inclined positioning of the rollers inherently prevents wire drawing in, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining reliability.
3Productivity
If strong pulling forces are applied to remove canes, then removal speed is improved, but stress on the wire frame and anchoring increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the roller orientation from horizontal to inclined (5° to 85° relative to vine rows), the invention redirects the pulling forces along a path that efficiently removes canes while distributing the stress away from the trellis wire frame and anchoring points, thereby maintaining high removal speed without excessive stress on the support structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The angled positioning of the wheels or rollers allows for gentle and effective removal of branches without pulling in the trellis wires, reducing structural stress and enhancing the device's adaptability to different vine growth patterns.
Implementation Method 1
the wheels of the wheel pair or the rollers of the roller pair can rotate in opposite directions and are arranged to each other in such a way that they can draw the branches in by friction and pull them upwards out of the trellis
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to devices and methods for removing twigs, in particular canes, which have been cut from plants, in particular vines, growing in an espalier but which continue to be retained in the espalier and at least partly protrude from the top of the espalier.