Rotary Weeder With Flexible Blades For Vineyard Weed Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional weed removal methods in fruit orchards and vineyards, whether chemical or mechanical, often cause damage to plants and terrain, and pose safety risks due to the potential for thrown debris.

Innovation Solution

A rotary agricultural tool with a rotating circular rim and flexible, inclined tubes equipped with specially-profiled blades that uproot weeds near vine trunks and between vines without displacing terrain, minimizing damage and debris throw.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional mechanical cutters (string cutters or toothed cutters) are used to remove weeds, then weed removal effectiveness is improved, but plant damage and terrain disruption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweed removal effectivenessVSAvoidplant damage and terrain disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible rubber elements with cutting edges that can adapt to the terrain and plant positions. These flexible cutting elements conform to the ground surface and gently engage weeds for removal without the rigid, aggressive action of traditional metal cutters, thereby reducing plant damage and terrain disruption while maintaining weed removal effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the cutting mechanism by using elastic rubber materials instead of rigid metal cutters. The rubber elements can deform and absorb impact forces, changing the interaction parameters between the cutter and the terrain/plants. This allows effective weed removal through friction and gentle uprooting rather than violent cutting, reducing harmful effects on plants and soil structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If traditional cutters are used to uproot weeds, then weed removal effectiveness is improved, but safety risks increase due to thrown debris

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweed removal effectivenessVSAvoidthrown debris and safety risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible rubber cutting elements deform during operation to follow the terrain contours and gently lift weeds rather than violently uproot them. This flexible action prevents stones, rocks, and soil from being thrown into the air, eliminating the safety hazards associated with traditional rigid cutters while maintaining effective weed removal through continuous friction-based uprooting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of rigid cutting action that throws debris into a beneficial flexible rubbing action. The rubber elements are designed to deform and absorb the energy that would otherwise be transferred to debris, transforming the harmful throwing effect into a beneficial gentle uprooting mechanism that removes weeds through friction and gradual lifting without projecting materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If chemical weed killers are used, then weed removal effectiveness is improved, but negative effects on plantation and productivity occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweed removal effectivenessVSAvoidnegative effects on plantation and plant productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical weed control system with a mechanical system using flexible rubber cutting elements. Instead of applying chemical substances that can harm plants and reduce productivity, the invention uses purely mechanical friction-based uprooting through deformable rubber elements that physically remove weeds through rubbing and gentle lifting actions, eliminating chemical exposure risks to the plantation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3142472B1An agricultural implement for removing the weeds that form in land used as orchards and vineyards

Publication Date: 2018.03.14 LAGHI MORENO

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AI summary

An agricultural tool for weeding infesting herbs which grow in terrains dedicated to fruit orchards and vineyards, the tool being applied on a hinged frame positionable on an agricultural vehicle and comprising at least a cutter disc (19), wherein the cutter disc is provided with a plurality of fixed blades (20) facing downwards arranged substantially vertically, and wherein the fixed blades are fixed perpendicularly on an edge of the disc, and lower cutting ends thereof, being the ends which in the operative step will work in the terrain, are curved in a graduated way internally with respect to a centre of rotation of the disc. The fixed blades (20) are interposed with a plurality of flexible tubes (21) arranged inclined externally downwards and with a radial arrangement with respect to a rotation axis of the disc.