Portable Fruit Harvester Comb Arrangement and Drive Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for harvesting small fruits, such as olives and almonds, face limitations in working area and transmission complexity, with prior solutions either restricting the working area or complicating the device with heavy mechanical transmissions.
Innovation Solution
A portable device with comb-like elements arranged side-by-side and a drive unit mounted near the shaking head, utilizing a brushless motor and simplified transmission, allowing for a wide working area without excessive weight or user discomfort, and featuring skew-mounted rods to prevent branch damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If comb-like elements are arranged overlapped and parallel as in prior art, then the device structure is compact, but the working area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional overlapped arrangement to a substantially coplanar two-dimensional arrangement of comb-like elements. This dimensional change allows the elements to be positioned side-by-side in a plane, maximizing the working area without requiring complex spatial overlapping, thereby resolving the contradiction between compact structure and large working area.
2Area of stationary object
If a heavy mechanical transmission is used to achieve rotational alternated movements, then the comb-like elements can be arranged coplanar, but the device becomes too heavy and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical transmission systems with a more simplified drive mechanism. By using a drive unit that directly generates rotational alternated movements without heavy intermediate transmissions, the device achieves the required coplanar arrangement of comb-like elements while significantly reducing overall weight and mechanical complexity.
3Device complexity
If the motor is mounted at the handle portion, then the transmission can be simplified, but the motor weight is far from the shaking head reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic mounting solution where the drive unit can be positioned optimally near the shaking head rather than fixed at the handle portion. This dynamic placement allows the motor to be close to the point of action, maximizing shaking effectiveness while the lightweight brushless motor design keeps the overall transmission system simple and manageable.
4Weight of moving object
If last generation brushless motors are used, then the motor weight is reduced, but mounting the motor close to the shaking head with heavy transmission eliminates the weight advantage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drive unit with the shaking head assembly, integrating the brushless motor directly into the head structure. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate heavy transmission components, allowing the lightweight motor advantage to be fully realized while maintaining a compact, integrated design that simplifies the overall transmission system.
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 device achieves a larger working area with simplified transmission, reducing user fatigue and improving fruit collection efficiency while maintaining a lightweight and easy-to-handle design.
Implementation Method 1
A portable device for harvesting small fruits from a plant by causing a vibration or a shaking movement of the plant
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A driven portable device (100,101,102) for harvesting small fruits by shaking and causing to vibrate a plant includes a support (4), wherein a pole (44) has an end with a handle portion (49), also includes two comb-like elements (3', 3") each pivotally mounted to the support (4) through a hinge (7', 7") and consisting of a base (30', 30") elongated along a longitudinal axis (3T,31"), and of an array of rods (34) protruding from the base (30', 30") on the opposite side with respect to the support (4), the two longitudinal axes (3T,31") arranged on a same movement plan (a), so that the comb-like elements are placed beside each other if observed transversally, and also includes a drive unit (6) mounted to the support (4) and preferably equipped with a brushless motor. According to the invention, the hinges (7', 7") have a same axis or preferably a same rotation pin (5, 50) substantially orthogonal to the movement plan (a); moreover, respective tang portions (32', 32") extend from the elongated base members (3T,31") away from the movement plan (a), said tang portions forming respective rotatable portions (33', 33") of the hinges (7', 7"), the hinges (7', 7") have rotation planes (β',β") spaced apart from each other and placed at opposite sides with respect to the movement plan (a); moreover, the drive unit (6) is arranged to cause the rotatable portions (33', 33") of the hinges (7', 7") and therefore the comb-like elements (3', 3") to rotate, performing preferably mutually symmetrical or parallel rotational alternated movements,.