Crop Cleaning Suction Hood with Airflow Deflector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fruit harvesting machines face challenges in effectively removing non-fruit components like leaves and wood particles from the crop flow without damaging the suction rotor, leading to inconsistent suction force and pollution issues, as well as clogging and imbalance in suction systems.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning system with a suction device featuring a hood with a perforated drum and adjustable airflow circulation path, including deflectors to maintain constant suction force across the conveyor width, and a recovery system to separate and redirect non-fruit components, preventing dust pollution and rotor wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a rotor with blades is used for both suction and grinding, then the cleaning function is improved, but the rotor wear increases and mechanical strength is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the suction function and grinding function into two distinct components: a suction rotor for air circulation and a separate grinding rotor for material processing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing wear on the grinding rotor and improving overall system reliability while maintaining cleaning efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary grinding rotor that acts as a mediator between the suction airflow and the crop material. This intermediate component handles the grinding task, protecting the suction rotor from direct contact with abrasive materials, thereby reducing wear and maintaining consistent suction performance.
2Productivity
If the suction force is increased to remove more non-fruit components, then the cleaning efficiency is improved, but the harvested fruit and juice are also eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different suction forces to different zones along the conveyor width. The suction hood is positioned to create a gradient of suction force, with stronger suction targeted at areas with higher concentrations of non-fruit components and gentler suction in areas where fruit and juice need to be preserved. This localized differentiation allows selective removal of unwanted components while minimizing loss of valuable material.
3Productivity
If the suction force is adjusted for the proximal portion of the hood, then components are removed effectively in that area, but components remain in the distal portion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the suction system dynamic by positioning the suction hood to move or adjust its characteristics along the conveyor width. The hood is designed to create varying suction zones that adapt to the distribution of non-fruit components, ensuring effective removal across the entire conveyor width rather than being fixed at a single suction force level.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the flow of eliminated air is directed downward to prevent spreading ground material, then pollution of crop is reduced, but a cloud of dust is thrown up and deposited on adjacent rows
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the direction of air flow from vertical (downward) to horizontal (lateral). By directing the eliminated air flow sideways away from the harvesting area rather than downward, the system prevents both ground material spreading and dust cloud formation that would deposit on adjacent rows, resolving the contradiction through spatial reorientation.
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 system ensures reliable removal of non-fruit components without harming fruit or juice, maintains consistent suction force, and reduces pollution by directing airflow upward, preventing dust dispersion and rotor wear, while preventing clogging and imbalance.
Implementation Method 1
a suction device provided with means for circulating an air flow between an inlet and an outlet of said device
Implementation Method 2
The circulation path of the hood incorporates means forming a deflector for the flow of suction air, said means being arranged to balance the speed of said flow of air along the suction opening
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for cleaning a flow of harvested crop, said system including a suction device between an inlet (1 ) and an outlet (3), said inlet being equipped with a hood (5) in which is formed a circulation path of the flow of suction air between said inlet and a suction opening (6), the suction device further including a drum (7) rotating relative to said hood, said hood being positioned in said drum to form a suction area (10) on the exterior of said wall, said suction area being delimited circumferentially by respective upstream (10a) and downstream (10b) edges, the system further including a conveyor (11) for the flow of crop, a device (12, 13) to recover the portion of the flow of crop that is not sucked up, and a device (14, 15) to recover the portion of the flow of crop that has been sucked up in said area; the circulation path of the hood (5) incorporates means (16, 19, 20) forming a deflector for the flow of suction air, said means being arranged to balance the speed of said flow of air along the suction opening (6).