Portable Fruit Vibrator Pivot Alignment for Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current olive vibrators for harvesting small fruits have a limited field of action and complex architecture, whether using a single comb member or two comb members arranged side by side.
Innovation Solution
An electroportable vibrator design featuring one or two comb members connected to the tool head by individual pivots, with the pivot positioned aligned or out of alignment with the tool head's attachment point and the eccentric's center of rotation, allowing for a wider field of action while maintaining a simple architecture, and utilizing a single actuator to drive the comb members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If two comb members are arranged side by side to increase the field of action, then the field of action is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the driving mechanism for multiple comb members into a single shared eccentric actuator. Instead of providing separate actuators for each comb member, one eccentric mechanism drives all comb members simultaneously through individual pivots, reducing the number of driving components while maintaining the ability to shake multiple branches
Solution Approach 2:
The single eccentric actuator serves multiple functions by driving several comb members at once. This universal driving mechanism can accommodate one or two comb members depending on the harvesting needs, providing versatility without requiring additional specialized components for each configuration
2Device complexity
If a single comb member is used to simplify the architecture, then the device complexity is reduced, but the field of action is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the field of action of a single comb member by optimizing its pivot position and orientation. The pivot is positioned aligned with and between the tool head attachment point and the eccentric center of rotation, creating a lever arm that maximizes the comb member's reach and coverage area without adding more comb members
3Area of moving object
If the pivot is positioned aligned with the tool head attachment point and eccentric center of rotation to maximize field of action, then the field of action is improved, but the balance and ergonomics may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the tool head structure and pivot positioning to create a balanced system. The pivot is strategically positioned to distribute the mechanical loads generated by the eccentric motion, counterbalancing the forces to reduce vibrations and improve ergonomics while maintaining the optimized field of action
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 design achieves a high field of action with reduced architectural complexity and improved balance and ergonomics, allowing for efficient harvesting of small fruits with reduced user fatigue and improved comfort.
Implementation Method 1
each or all of the comb members being driven by the same eccentric cooperating with an oblong opening provided on each comb organ
Implementation Method 2
driven in an oscillatory movement, or in a back-and-forth movement
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a portable electric vibrator (200) for harvesting fruit, and in particular small fruit, comprising: - a pole (104), - a tool head (102) equipped with an eccentric (106) rotating around a center of rotation (107), and connected to an end, called distal, of said pole (104) at an attachment point (105), and - at least one comb-like element (202) comprising: • a body (204) from which extends a plurality of fingers (206), and • an oblong opening (208) provided to cooperate with said eccentric (108) and create an oscillating movement of said at least one comb-like element (202);characterized in that each comb-like element (202) is connected to said tool head (102) by an individual pivot (205) which is: - aligned with said attachment point (105) of said pole on said tool head (102) and said center of rotation (107) of said eccentric (106), and arranged between said attachment point (105) and said center of rotation (107), or - out of alignment between said attachment point (105) of the pole on said tool head (102) and said center of rotation (107) of said eccentric (106).;