Bottomless Basket Nut Harvesting Machine with Skid Shoes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Almond ranchers face challenges in manually raking in nut rows due to the inefficiency and damage caused by large, bulky harvesting equipment, which requires extensive labor and is not easily transportable.
Innovation Solution
A compact harvesting machine with a bottomless basket removably attached to a ridable device, featuring a linear actuator for lifting the basket and skid shoes for sliding on the ground, designed to push nut rows without damaging the nuts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large, bulky harvesting equipment is used to rake in nut rows, then the harvesting capacity is improved, but the equipment becomes difficult to transport and causes damage to nuts on the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The harvesting system is divided into separate functional modules: a sweeping mechanism and a raking mechanism. The raking mechanism is further segmented into multiple independent raking assemblies that can be selectively deployed. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high harvesting capacity through coordinated operation of multiple components while keeping each individual component compact and transportable.
Solution Approach 2:
The raking assemblies are designed to be storable within or alongside the sweeping mechanism when not in use. The multiple raking assemblies can be nested together or positioned within the frame structure of the sweeper, allowing the entire harvesting system to be compact for transport while expanding to full harvesting capacity during operation.
2Productivity
If large, bulky harvesting equipment is used to rake in nut rows, then the harvesting capacity is improved, but the equipment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harvesting device is designed as a multi-functional system where a single sweeping mechanism works in coordination with multiple raking assemblies. The sweeping mechanism serves both to clear nuts from the row and to position them for raking. The raking assemblies can be selectively deployed based on row configuration, making the system adaptable to different harvesting scenarios without requiring separate specialized equipment for each function.
3Device complexity
If manual raking is used to rake in the ends of nut rows, then the equipment simplicity is maintained, but the labor time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The harvesting device is designed to perform the raking function automatically as it moves through the orchard. The sweeping mechanism continuously collects nuts and pushes them toward the raking assemblies, which automatically rake the nuts into the rows without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability eliminates the need for separate manual raking operations, significantly reducing labor time while maintaining relatively simple equipment design.
4Ease of operation
If existing raking devices are used, then the raking function is provided, but the nuts on the ground are damaged due to the sheer size of the devices
Solution Approach 1:
The raking assemblies are designed with localized contact points that distribute the raking force across multiple small areas rather than concentrating force from a single large component. Each raking assembly has tines or fingers that individually engage with nuts, applying gentle localized force to move nuts into rows without crushing or damaging them. This local quality approach allows effective raking while minimizing harm to the nuts.
Data Source
AI summary
A harvesting machine designed to push ends of nut rows in after sweeping may include a bottomless basket removably attached to a ridable device, and a linear actuator operatively attached to the bottomless basket. The basket may include a back wall; a first side wall and a second side wall attached to and extending from the back wall at an angle such that first ends of each side wall attached to the back wall are closer together than second ends of each side wall positioned distal from the back wall; and a cross support attached to and extending between the second ends of the side walls. Each of the back wall and the side walls may have slotted sides and skid shoes attached to a bottom surface thereof.