Dual Eccentric Mass Shaker for Low-Speed Fruit Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shaking devices for harvesting fruit, particularly at low rotation speeds, experience significant vibrations due to insufficient compensation by eccentrically rotating masses, making them inefficient for harvesting delicate fruits like berries.
Innovation Solution
The shaking device employs two motors with eccentrically mounted masses rotating in opposite directions, synchronized through a transmission system, to generate a vibrating movement that effectively shakes the plant, allowing for efficient fruit detachment at low rotation speeds without excessive vibration transmission to the mounting frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single eccentrically rotating mass is used to drive the carrier, then the device structure is simple, but the vibration compensation is insufficient at low rotation speeds causing excessive vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The single eccentric mass is divided into two separate eccentric masses (first and second masses) mounted on separate rotation shafts. This segmentation allows independent control and optimization of each mass's rotation characteristics, enabling better vibration compensation at low speeds while maintaining structural feasibility through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
A transmission mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the two rotation shafts to synchronize their rotation. This transmission ensures that the first and second masses rotate in opposite directions with synchronized timing, creating effective vibration cancellation while maintaining system coordination
2Adaptability or versatility
If the rotation speed is reduced for harvesting delicate fruits, then the shaking intensity is appropriate, but the vibration compensation becomes insufficient causing excessive vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to be dynamically adjustable in rotation speed to match different harvesting requirements. The dual mass configuration provides dynamic vibration compensation that adapts to varying operational speeds, ensuring effective vibration cancellation across the full range from low-speed delicate fruit harvesting to high-speed robust fruit harvesting
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation speed parameter can be changed to adapt to different fruit types and harvesting conditions. The synchronized dual eccentric mass system maintains effective vibration compensation across different speed parameters, enabling the same hardware to optimally harvest both delicate berries and robust fruits by simply adjusting the rotation speed
3Reliability
If two eccentrically rotating masses are used to compensate vibrations, then the vibration compensation improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The two eccentric masses are merged into a coordinated system where both masses work together to achieve vibration compensation. By synchronizing their opposite-direction rotation through the transmission mechanism, the system achieves the vibration cancellation effect of a single complex mass system while using two simpler, standardized eccentric mass components
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second eccentric masses are positioned and rotated to create counterbalancing effects. The masses are arranged so that their centrifugal forces partially cancel each other out during rotation, reducing net vibration transmission to the carrier and mounting frame while maintaining the necessary shaking intensity for fruit harvesting
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
This configuration enables the shaking device to operate effectively at low rotation speeds, reducing vibration transmission and allowing for adjustable shaking intensity, suitable for harvesting berries and other fruits, while minimizing damage and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second mass are each mounted eccentrically on a respective rotation shaft so as to cause during rotation a vibrating movement and transmit it to the carrier
Implementation Method 2
the rotating masses cause an effect opposite to said vibrations, whereby the frame should be substantially vibration-free
Implementation Method 3
the first motor and the second motor are configured to drive the first mass and the second mass rotatingly in opposite directions to each other, wherein the first and the second mass are each mounted eccentrically on a respective rotation shaft so as to cause during rotation a vibrating movement and transmit it to the carrier
Data Source
AI summary
A shaking device for shaking a plant to harvest fruit carried by the plant. The shaking device includes a connecting frame for connecting the shaking device to a harvesting apparatus, a carrier for a shaker unit, displaceable in an oscillating manner, and a shaker unit connected to the carrier to engage with branches of the plant in order to shake the plant. The shaking device also includes a first mass driven by a first motor and a second mass driven by a second motor, and a transmission between the first and the second motor to couple the rotation of the first and the second motor. The first and the second motor are connected to the carrier, and the first and the second mass are eccentrically mounted on a respective axis of rotation to cause and transmit an oscillating movement upon rotation thereof. A harvesting apparatus including such a shaking device.