Beet Harvester Sealing Applicator for Root Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beet crop harvesting machines cause wounds on the roots, leading to rotting and significant losses due to inadequate foliage cutting and cleaning processes, which are not effectively addressed by current methods such as using foils or rot inhibitors.
Innovation Solution
A beet crop harvesting machine equipped with a defoliating cutting device, an uprooting device, a rotary sieve for cleaning, and a sealing applicator device that applies a sealing liquid, such as limewater, to form a mechanical barrier on the cut locations and during transport to protect the roots from damage and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the root crop is cut and conveyed on the harvesting machine, then the harvesting process is completed, but the root develops wounds that lead to rotting
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing liquid is applied to the root crop at the cutting location before the root crop is conveyed and stored. This preliminary sealing action prevents subsequent rotting by creating a protective barrier at the vulnerable wound site before the root crop undergoes further handling and storage processes.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing liquid is introduced as an intermediary substance between the cutting device and the root crop storage. This sealing liquid fills the gap by providing a protective layer that prevents harmful interactions (rotting) between the exposed root crop tissue and the environment during conveyance and storage.
2Reliability
If foils or rot inhibitors are used to protect the root crop heap, then rotting is reduced, but the cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protection function is extracted from the storage phase (foils covering the heap) and moved to the processing phase (sealing liquid application during conveyance). This extraction simplifies the storage system by eliminating the need for complex foil covering mechanisms while maintaining preservation effectiveness through the sealing liquid applied earlier in the process.
3Ease of operation
If the root crop is cleaned in the path from uprooting to reservoir, then cleaning is provided, but the cleaning efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical cleaning system is replaced or supplemented by applying a sealing liquid that provides protective functionality. This substitution improves efficiency by combining cleaning and protection functions in a more effective manner, addressing the insufficiency of purely mechanical cleaning approaches.
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 solution significantly reduces root crop loss due to rotting by creating a protective barrier on the roots and improving the cleaning efficiency, ensuring better preservation and handling of the harvested beets.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing liquid forms a film on the root crop at the cut location to seal the same
Implementation Method 2
applies a sealing liquid, such as limewater, to form a mechanical barrier on the cut locations and during transport to protect the roots from damage and contamination
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
This root crop harvesting machine (2) is adapted to harvest root crop (4), in particular beet crop, the root crop harvesting machine comprising an uprooting device (14) adapted to uproot the root crop. The root crop harvesting machine comprises an applicator (40) device adapted to apply an agent (52) to the root crop. Application to sugar beet harvesting machines.