Crop Harvesting Apparatus Using Fluid-Driven Shape-Changing Driver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional crop harvesting methods using motor-driven, cable-driven, or hydraulic/pneumatic systems are unstable in irregular conditions, often damaging crops due to the need for rigid components for stable power transmission.
Innovation Solution
A crop harvesting apparatus utilizing a pressure generator, driver, and cutter where the driver changes shape in response to fluid pressure, featuring a main body with a chamber, entry/exit member, transmitter, and driving member made of stretchable material, and a cutter with a rotating cutting body and gripper to securely cut crops using fluid pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid components are used for stable power transmission in motor-driven, cable-driven, or hydraulic/pneumatic systems, then power transmission stability is improved, but the operation becomes unstable in irregular conditions and crops may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical power transmission systems (motors, cables, hydraulic/pneumatic cylinders) with a biological muscle-based actuation system. The muscle wire contracts in response to electrical stimulation, providing soft, adaptive actuation that can conform to irregular crop shapes without causing damage, while still achieving reliable cutting action through controlled contraction cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the actuation mechanism from rigid mechanical parameters to controllable electrical stimulation parameters. By adjusting electrical pulse frequency, duration, and intensity, the muscle wire's contraction behavior can be precisely controlled to adapt to different crop conditions, achieving both reliable power transmission and adaptability to irregular conditions.
2Power
If rigid components are used in conventional harvesting methods, then power transmission is stable, but the crops may be damaged due to inability to adapt to irregular conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a muscle wire actuator that inherently provides flexible, compliant motion compared to rigid mechanical components. This flexibility allows the cutting mechanism to adapt to the irregular geometry of crops, applying cutting force only where needed while avoiding damage to surrounding plant tissues through controlled, localized actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
By substituting rigid mechanical power transmission with electrical stimulation of muscle wire, the system achieves power delivery without the harmful rigidity that causes crop damage. The muscle wire's elastic properties allow it to conform to crop surfaces while maintaining sufficient contractile force for effective cutting.
3Productivity
If conventional mechanical systems are used for crop cutting, then cutting action can be achieved, but operation stability in irregular conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the cutting mechanism through electrical stimulation of the muscle wire. The system can adjust contraction speed, force, and timing in real-time based on crop conditions, achieving stable operation across irregular conditions while maintaining effective cutting action through adaptive parameter modification.
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
Ensures consistent cutting performance and improved efficiency by adapting to the position and arrangement of the crop, reducing damage and enhancing the stability of the cutting process.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure generator configured to generate a pressure
Implementation Method 2
a driving member connected to the main body and configured to contract or expand in proportion to a size of a pressure formed inside the main body
Data Source
AI summary
A crop harvesting apparatus includes a pressure generator configured to generate a pressure, a driver configured to have a shape that changes in response to receiving the pressure from the pressure generator, and a cutter configured to cut an object to be cut in accordance with a change in the shape of the driver.