Fruit Sorting Roller Conveyor for Low-MOG Mechanical Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical grape harvesters often contaminate grapes with unwanted plant matter (MOG) during harvesting, leading to reduced wine quality and financial penalties for wineries, and existing separation systems are costly and difficult to retrofit onto different harvesters.
Innovation Solution
A separation apparatus comprising a conveyor system with multiple separation stages, including a rotatable roller system and a de-stemming unit, that can be easily fitted to a harvester side arm to separate berries from plant matter, achieving less than 2% contamination and collecting at least 98% of berries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical harvesters operate at increased speed, then productivity increases, but contaminating matter (MOG) concentration in harvested grapes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separation apparatus is installed on the harvester to remove MOG contamination during the harvesting process itself, before the grapes are collected. This preliminary separation action allows the harvester to maintain high speed while continuously removing contaminating matter, resolving the contradiction between productivity and contamination levels
Solution Approach 2:
A separation apparatus acts as an intermediary component between the harvesting mechanism and the collection unit. This intermediary device separates berries from MOG using a conveyor system with apertures and rollers, allowing high-speed harvesting to continue while contamination is actively managed during the process
2Reliability
If separation apparatus is integrated into mechanical harvesters, then MOG removal efficacy increases, but device complexity and retrofitting difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The separation apparatus is designed as a modular, self-contained unit that can be attached to the side arm of existing harvesters. The system is segmented into distinct components (conveyor system, roller mechanism, collection unit) that can be independently installed and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining removal efficacy
Solution Approach 2:
The separation apparatus is designed with universal mounting capabilities that allow it to be retrofitted onto different harvester models. The apparatus serves multiple functions (separation, conveyance, collection) within a single integrated unit, reducing the need for additional complex components and simplifying installation
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 apparatus effectively reduces MOG contamination to less than 2% by weight, increases berry collection efficiency, and enhances wine quality by minimizing unwanted fermentation and fermentation-related penalties.
Implementation Method 1
a conveyor system which defines a first separation system moveable to define an upstream and downstream position relative to the conveyor system, the conveyor system comprising a plurality of apertures to permit the transit of berries; a second separation system located at least partially above the first separation system, the second separation system comprising an array of rollers rotatable to convey harvested plant material in an upstream to downstream direction, the rollers spaced apart to provide a plurality of openings permitting the transit of separated berries through the openings while preventing the transit of other plant matter
Implementation Method 2
a third separation system in the form of a de-stemming unit downstream of the second separation system and positioned above the first separation system
Data Source
AI summary
A separation apparatus for separating fruit from other plant matter from harvested plant material, the apparatus comprising a conveyor system that defines a first separation system, a second separation system located at least partially above the first separation system comprising an array of rotatable rollers to convey harvested plant material in an upstream to downstream direction, the rollers spaced apart to provide a plurality of openings permitting the transit of separated fruit therethrough while preventing the transit of other plant matter, a third separation system in the form of a de-stemming unit downstream of the second separation system, a plant matter distribution system, for distributing plant matter away from the collection apparatus, wherein fruit pass through any one or more of the first, second and third separation systems for collection in the collection unit.