Grape De-bunching System with Lateral Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fruit harvesting machines struggle to effectively separate grapes from their stalks during mechanized harvesting, leading to pollution when straddling multiple vine rows due to vertical evacuation of undesirable components.
Innovation Solution
A de-bunching system with an endless screen and radial de-bunching fingers, combined with a lateral evacuation device using an auger and transfer shaft, directs undesirable components away from the harvested grape stream, preventing vertical pollution and ensuring cleaner grape storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If vertical evacuation of undesirable components is used, then the de-bunching operation is simple, but it causes pollution of unharvested rows when the machine straddles multiple rows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the evacuation direction from vertical to lateral (horizontal dimension). The endless screen conveys undesirable components laterally along its length, and the ejection device discharges them sideways rather than vertically downward, thereby avoiding pollution of adjacent unharvested vine rows while the machine straddles multiple rows
2Object-affected harmful factors
If lateral evacuation device is added, then pollution of unharvested rows is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the evacuation function into the existing endless screen system. The screen itself performs both separation (retaining grapes while allowing stalks to pass through openings) and conveyance of undesirable components laterally. The ejection device is integrated at the downstream end of the screen, combining multiple functions into a unified structure rather than adding separate independent systems
3Productivity
If radial de-bunching fingers are used, then separation of grapes from stalks is efficient, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The de-bunching function is segmented into multiple radial fingers arranged around the rotary member's axis. Each finger independently interacts with the grape bunches, providing distributed separation points along the rotation path. This segmentation increases separation efficiency while keeping each individual finger simple in structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a rotary member with radial fingers arranged in a circular pattern around the axis of rotation. This curved/spheroidal arrangement allows continuous interaction with the grape stream as bunches pass by, improving separation efficiency compared to linear arrangements, while the rotational motion provides continuous operation
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 system efficiently separates grapes from stalks and directs unwanted components laterally, reducing pollution and improving the quality of harvested grapes by maintaining a cleaner harvesting environment.
Implementation Method 1
an endless screen (1) that is driveable between an upstream transverse shaft and a downstream transverse shaft (2), said screen including openings configured for allowing the de-bunched grapes to pass through and retaining undesirable components of the stream on said screen
Implementation Method 2
a driven rotary member (3) overlying said screen between said transverse axes, said rotary member including radial de-bunching fingers (4) which, upon rotation, are configured to interact with the grapes stream on the screen for separating the grapes from their stalks
Implementation Method 3
said system further includes a device for lateral evacuation of the undesirable components, said device including means for conveying said components from the exterior side of the screen adjacent the downstream transverse shaft (2) to a lateral area of ejection of said components
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for de-bunching a harvested stream of fruit in bunches, said system being intended to be mounted on board a harvesting machine. The de-bunching system includes an endless screen (1) that is driven between an upstream transverse shaft and a downstream transverse shaft (2), said screen including openings adapted to the allow the fruit to pass through and to retain undesirable components of the stream on said screen. The system further includes a driven rotary member (3) overlying said screen between said transverse axes, said rotary member including radial de- bunching fingers (4) which, upon rotation, are adapted to interact with the stream on the (1) screen in order to bring about separation of fruits attached to the bunches. The system further includes a device (5, 6) for lateral evacuation of the undesirable components, said device including means for conveying said components from the rear side of the downstream transverse shaft (2) to a lateral area of ejection of said components.