Fruit Harvesting Tool Torque Reduction via Axial Handle Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing harvesting tools are prone to getting caught in shrub or tree branches due to their wireframe configuration and experience torque issues when handling fruits, leading to unergonomic handling and potential structural integrity problems.
Innovation Solution
A fruit harvesting tool with a container having a circumferential wall and a closed bottom end, featuring an arcuate opening and two handle members, where the second handle member is connected via an adapter that protrudes from the bottom end, allowing weight distribution along the central axis to minimize torque, and the first handle member is offset within a recess to support forces without causing torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wireframe configuration basket is used, then the harvesting tool can be maneuvered to access fruits, but it gets caught in tortuous branches of shrubs or trees
Solution Approach 1:
The basket is designed with a flexible mesh configuration instead of a rigid wireframe structure. This flexible mesh allows the basket to conform to tortuous branches and shrubs without getting caught, while still maintaining its ability to hold and maneuver for fruit access.
2Ease of operation
If the handle is positioned laterally with respect to the basket axis, then the tool can be held comfortably, but torque is experienced causing unergonomic handling and structural deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is repositioned to be substantially aligned with the central axis of the basket, creating an equipotential arrangement where the weight of harvested fruits acts directly along the handle axis. This eliminates lateral torque forces, making the tool ergonomically sound and preventing structural deterioration over time.
3Device complexity
If a single handle configuration is used, then the structure is simple, but the tool cannot accommodate different harvesting heights effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The handle system is segmented into a first handle for hand-held operation at lower heights and a second handle that can be selectively attached for reaching higher fruits. This segmentation allows the tool to adapt to different harvesting heights while maintaining relatively simple individual handle structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle configuration is made dynamic through the selective attachment mechanism. The second handle can be attached or detached based on the harvesting height requirement, transforming a static single-handle design into a dynamic multi-height solution without permanently increasing structural complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fruit harvesting tool (100) includes a container (102) having a circumferential wall (104) that is disposed about a central axis (AA'). The container (102) also has a closed bottom end (106) and a top end (108) that defines a perimeter (P) together with the circumferential wall (104). A top portion (110) of the container (102), comprising the top end (108) and at least a portion of the circumferential wall (104) adjacent to the top end (108), is adapted to define an arcuate opening (112) that extends partway along the perimeter (P). A first handle member (120) is connected to the container (102) and disposed parallel to the central axis (AA'). Further, an adapter (126) for a second handle member (130) protrudes from an outer surface (128) of the closed bottom end (106) of the container (102) and the adapter (126) is parallel to the central axis (AA').