Fruit Harvesting Kit with Suction Container and Flexible Hose

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fruit harvesting technologies require frequent stops for unloading due to limited chassis capacity and often necessitate separate apparatus for different types of fruit, leading to inefficiencies and increased working time.

Innovation Solution

A fruit harvesting kit with a large-capacity container and flexible hose system, adaptable to a vibrator/harvester apparatus, utilizing short or long worms with peeler mechanisms to collect and store various fruits, including nuts and olives, within the same apparatus, reducing the need for frequent unloading and allowing for multiple fruit types to be harvested with a single machine.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If fruit is stored in the chassis of the harvester, then the harvesting process can proceed, but the chassis capacity is reduced and frequent unloading stops are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveharvesting efficiencyVSAvoidunloading stoppage time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the storage function into two separate components: the chassis maintains its primary transportation function while a separate large-capacity container handles fruit storage. This segmentation allows the chassis to not be constrained by storage capacity limitations, enabling continuous harvesting operations without frequent unloading stops.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from two-dimensional chassis storage to three-dimensional external container storage positioned at the rear of the vehicle. This dimensional change provides significantly increased storage capacity while maintaining the chassis's original functionality, thereby reducing the frequency of unloading operations and improving overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate harvesting apparatus are used for different fruit types, then each fruit can be harvested with specialized equipment, but the device complexity and number of equipment changes increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefruit type compatibilityVSAvoidequipment configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The harvester is designed with universal collecting elements that can handle multiple fruit types including olives, almonds, and other fruits. By implementing a standardized collecting mechanism with adjustable parameters, the system eliminates the need for completely separate apparatus for different fruit types, reducing equipment complexity while maintaining adaptability across various harvesting applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 kit significantly reduces unloading stops and allows for efficient harvesting of different fruits with a single apparatus, enhancing productivity and reducing operational time while minimizing equipment changes.

Implementation Method 1

suction turbine incorporated in the upper part of said container... provided for the suction and storage of the harvested fruit inside said container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3520598B1Fruit-harvesting kit
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 AGROMELCA
  • EP3520598B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3520598B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP3520598B1 patent drawingFigure 7~10

AI summary

Fruit harvesting kit, adaptable to a vibrator/harvester apparatus, both of front and side operation, basically comprised of a large-capacity container, with suction turbine, positioned in the rear part of the hauling vehicle and connected to the chassis of the vibrator/harvester apparatus through a flexible hose, suctioning the fruit through the same and being stored in said container until its unloading, optionally including a set of two short worms, and another set of two long worms with adapter support, indicated for replacing the long or short worms installed in the chassis of the vibrator/harvester apparatus, making it possible to adapt the vibrator/harvester apparatus for different applications, if necessary.