Bare-Root Tree Extraction Mechanism for Clean Biomass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for clearing trees in orchards and vineyards are labor-intensive and cost-intensive, often resulting in broken trunks and roots, making it difficult to remove roots from the soil effectively, especially in grafted trees, and leading to inefficient use of tree biomass due to high soil content in wood chips.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device with a deep loosening and lifting mechanism that separates roots from the soil using a clamping conveyor and impact rollers, allowing for the tree to be pulled out by its trunk without breaking, resulting in 'bare-rooted' trees that can be processed more efficiently for energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pusher roller is used to topple the fruit tree, then the tree can be fed to the processing unit, but the trunk often breaks and the root and trunk are no longer connected
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pushing the tree over with a pusher roller (which causes trunk breakage), the invention uses a pulling device that pulls the tree out by its trunk in an upward direction. This inverted approach - pulling rather than pushing - maintains trunk integrity while achieving the same goal of removing the tree from the ground. The pulling device includes a pulling element that engages the trunk and an urging member that applies pulling force, ensuring the trunk remains connected to the root system throughout the process.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual clearing methods are used, then tree removal can be performed, but the process is very labor-intensive and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple functions into a single integrated device: the pulling device that removes trees, the deep loosening device that loosens soil, and the processing unit that processes the removed trees. This merging of functions that were previously performed separately (manual tree removal, soil loosening, and biomass processing) into one automated system dramatically improves productivity while reducing labor requirements and operational costs.
3Ease of manufacture
If standardized soil cultivation equipment is used after clearing, then the top layer of soil can be prepared for planting, but the soil must be loosened in separate steps
Solution Approach 1:
The invention integrates the deep loosening device with the pulling device, combining tree removal and soil loosening operations into a single pass. The deep loosening device includes loosening elements that can penetrate and loosen soil to significant depths (30-120 cm) while the pulling device removes trees. This eliminates the need for separate soil loosening steps that were required in conventional methods, saving time and reducing the number of operational passes needed.
4Productivity
If trees are processed into wood chips with high soil content, then biomass can be utilized, but the economic value is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pulling device extracts trees from the ground by pulling upward on the trunk, which lifts the entire root system out of the soil without dragging it along the ground. This extraction method prevents soil from adhering to the roots and trunk. The processed material delivered to the processing unit is therefore significantly cleaner with much lower soil content, maintaining or enhancing the economic value of the biomass for energy production or other uses.
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 device effectively removes trees with their roots intact, reducing labor and costs, and enables the trees to be processed into wood chips or other energy products without the economic drawback of high soil content, improving the utilization of tree biomass.
Implementation Method 1
a clamping conveying device which takes the cleared woody plant from the feed device and transports it through a gap between two driven impact rollers
Implementation Method 2
transports it through a gap between two driven impact rollers
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for clearing woody plants is proposed that works without interference and clears woody plants in such a way that the trunk, branches and roots are free of adhering soil.