Mechanical Harvester Decoring Mechanism for Produce

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual harvesting and decoring of produce like romaine lettuce and cabbage is labor-intensive and results in significant waste due to the need for experienced workers to accurately remove cores without damaging the desirable portions.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical harvester with a positioning apparatus and decoring device that includes positioning arms and blades to sever the core from the produce while minimizing damage, coupled with a transport assembly to lift and transport the cut produce for further processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual harvesting and decoring is used, then worker experience and precision can be maintained, but labor intensity and costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecoring precisionVSAvoidlabor intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical decoring with an automated mechanical system consisting of a positioning apparatus that holds the produce and a decoring device with rotating blades that mechanically remove the core. This substitution eliminates labor-intensive manual operations while maintaining decoring precision through controlled mechanical action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning apparatus automatically positions and holds the produce in the ground without requiring manual handling or worker intervention. The system serves itself by using the produce's own position in the ground as the positioning reference, eliminating the need for worker experience and manual precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of substance

If manual decoring is performed, then waste can be minimized through worker experience, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduce wasteVSAvoiddecoring time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The decoring device continuously removes cores from produce as the mechanical harvester moves through the field, providing uninterrupted decoring action. The rotating blades constantly engage with the produce, eliminating the stop-start nature of manual decoring and reducing overall processing time while maintaining waste minimization through consistent, controlled cutting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The automated mechanical decoring system replaces time-consuming manual operations with rapid mechanical blade action. The rotating blades can remove cores significantly faster than manual cutting while maintaining precision that minimizes waste, thereby reducing both time loss and substance loss simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If experienced workers perform decoring, then quality and waste minimization improve, but labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecoring qualityVSAvoidlabor cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive experienced labor with an automated mechanical system where decoring quality is determined by the precision of the positioning apparatus and the controlled action of the rotating blades. This eliminates dependence on worker experience while maintaining reliable, consistent decoring quality through mechanical precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system eliminates the need for experienced workers by using the produce's own positioning in the ground as the reference for accurate decoring. The positioning apparatus automatically aligns the cutting path with the produce's natural position, ensuring consistent quality without requiring worker skill or experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If manual harvesting is used, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but the process is inefficient and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting flexibilityVSAvoidharvesting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning apparatus includes adjustable components that can adapt to different produce sizes and positions in the ground. The bent sections of the positioning arms can be adjusted to accommodate variations in produce growth, and the decoring device can be positioned at different heights and angles, providing dynamic adaptability while maintaining high harvesting efficiency through automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9565801B2Decoring mechanism with mechanized harvester

Publication Date: 2017.02.14 BUD ANTLE LLC

AI summary

A mechanical harvester for harvesting produce with a core planted in a field is provided. The mechanical harvester includes a chassis, a positioning apparatus, a decoring device, and a transport assembly. The positioning apparatus is connected to the chassis and configured to position the produce in the ground for harvesting and decoring. The decoring device is connected to the positioning apparatus and configured to sever the core of the produce while the produce is in the ground. The transport assembly is connected to the chassis and configured to lift the cut produce from the ground and transport the cut produce to a processing unit or a storage container.