Fruit Thinning Device Tine Replacement Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Mechanical thinning devices for fruit trees are expensive to repair due to the wear-out of whip-like tines, which are difficult to replace efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A thinning device with a rotatable body and connecting means that allows for easy attachment and detachment of whip-like tines, using components like plastic or metallic parts produced through injection molding, enabling simple and cost-effective replacement of worn tines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If whip-like tines are made integral to the rotatable body, then structural strength is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidease of repair

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate components: the rotatable body and the whip-like tines are detachably connected rather than being integral. This allows the tines to be replaced independently when worn, improving ease of repair while maintaining structural integrity during operation through proper connection design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of repair

If whip-like tines are made replaceable, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of repairVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates the rotatable body from the whip-like tines through a detachable connection, allowing independent replacement of worn tines. This segmentation enables simple maintenance without requiring replacement of the entire device, balancing ease of repair with acceptable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The whip-like tines are designed as replaceable, consumable components that can be easily replaced when worn. This approach treats the tines as low-cost, short-living parts that don't need to be permanently durable, simplifying the overall device design while enabling easy maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of repair

If connecting means are added for tine replacement, then ease of repair is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of repairVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable body and whip-like tines are designed as separate components with a detachable connection. This segmentation enables simple connecting means that facilitate easy tine replacement while keeping manufacturing costs reasonable through modular production and simplified assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2215904B1Device for thinning out fruit trees

Publication Date: 2018.06.27 BETZ ADOLF

Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7

AI summary

The device has a flagelliform flexible tine (1) arranged between an elongated rotating body (5) and a component that is rotatably connected with the body. The body cooperates with the component such that the tine is held at the body in a force fit manner. The component has an attachment, which lies against the body, and another attachment. A distance from the former attachment to the latter attachment is smaller than thickness of the tine in a region of the body. The latter attachment exhibits shape of a circle segment, and openings are arranged at ends of the segment.