Cut Flower Transfer Vehicle with Buffering for Continuous Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing systems for transferring cut flowers from cultivation beds to a processing unit are inefficient due to high personnel costs and discontinuous supply, as the auxiliary belt conveyor needs to be relocated, disrupting the picking process and underutilizing processing unit capacity.
Innovation Solution
A continuous supply system using a transfer vehicle and buffers to transfer cut flowers from the harvesting apparatus to a transportation vehicle, allowing the harvesting to continue uninterrupted and ensuring a steady supply to the processing unit, even when the harvesting apparatus relocates, through the use of buffers and adaptable holding mechanisms like grippers and endless belts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an auxiliary belt conveyor is used to transfer cut flowers from cultivation beds to the processing unit, then the transfer function is achieved, but the supply becomes discontinuous and processing unit capacity cannot be optimally utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the harvesting apparatus continue harvesting into a first buffer even when the transfer vehicle is occupied. The transfer vehicle is pre-positioned and ready to receive flowers, and the second buffer is prepared to receive flowers from the transportation vehicle. This preliminary buffering allows the processing unit to maintain continuous operation without waiting for the transfer vehicle to complete its cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary buffers (first buffer at harvesting apparatus, second buffer at processing unit) that mediate between the discontinuous transfer operations and the continuous harvesting/processing operations. These buffers act as intermediaries that decouple the harvesting/processing continuity from the transfer vehicle's cyclic operation, allowing all components to operate continuously or near-continuously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the auxiliary belt conveyor is relocated to the next cultivation bed after a bed is completely picked, then the harvesting can proceed to the next bed, but the picking process is interrupted and personnel costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary buffering of harvested flowers in the first buffer at the harvesting apparatus. This allows the harvesting apparatus to continue harvesting into the buffer even when the transfer vehicle is transporting flowers or relocating. The preliminary storage in the buffer eliminates the need to interrupt harvesting for vehicle relocation, maintaining continuous picking operations across multiple cultivation beds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by enabling the harvesting apparatus to operate continuously without interruption during transfer vehicle relocation. The harvesting apparatus maintains its harvesting action throughout the transfer vehicle's transport and relocation cycles, ensuring no loss of time in the picking process while still achieving adaptability to move between cultivation beds.
3Productivity
If a buffer system is implemented to ensure continuous supply, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the transfer function into multiple independent components: a first buffer at the harvesting apparatus, a transfer vehicle for transport, a second buffer at the processing unit, and a separate transportation vehicle. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently at its own pace, simplifying the control of each individual element while achieving overall system continuity and high productivity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Assembly for transferring cut flowers (13) from cultivation beds (1) towards a processing unit (2), comprising at least one harvesting apparatus (4) for harvesting the cut flowers (13) from a selected one of the cultivation beds (1), which harvesting apparatus is provided with a first buffer (5) for temporarily buffering harvested cut flowers, wherein the assembly further comprises at least one transportation vehicle (6) for transporting cut flowers and adapted for following an endless path (7) between the cultivation beds (1) and the processing unit (2). Each harvesting apparatus (4) is provided with a transfer vehicle (9) adapted for moving along a path over a respective cultivation bed (1) for transferring cut flowers from the first buffer (5) of the harvesting apparatus (4) towards a transportation vehicle (6). A second buffer (10) is positioned between the endless path (7) and the processing unit (2), adapted for receiving cut flowers from a transportation vehicle (6) and for temporarily buffering said received cut flowers and thereafter offering the cut flowers to the processing unit. Additionally, the assembly comprises a number of separate transportation units (11) for cut flowers (13), each comprising a frame (12) and a number of holding means (18,20,21) intended for engaging and holding cut flowers. At least each transportation vehicle (6) and the second buffer (10) are adapted for transporting and buffering, respectively, the cut flowers (13) by means of at least one transportation unit (11).