Harvester Leaf Stalk Elimination via Height-Based Separation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing harvesting machines cannot effectively eliminate leaf stalks from the harvested stream of fruit berries during the cleaning or sorting process without losing a significant number of berries, as the lift and size differences between leaf stalks and fruit berries are not sufficient to distinguish them using conventional suction cleaning and size-based sorting.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that involves a sorting device and an extraction conveyor with a belt and deflectors to separate and remove leaf stalks from the harvested stream by utilizing the height difference between leaf stalks and fruit berries, where the conveyor belt is driven by rollers and equipped with deflectors to laterally eject leaf stalks, ensuring they are removed without losing berries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If suction cleaning is used to eliminate leaf stalks, then leaf stalks can be removed from the harvested stream, but a large number of fruit berries are also lost because the lift difference between leaf stalks and berries is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloss of fruit berriesVSAvoideffectiveness of leaf stalk elimination

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from two-dimensional size-based sorting to three-dimensional height-based separation. By utilizing the vertical dimension with an extraction conveyor and deflector, the system exploits the height difference between leaf stalks and berries to achieve separation that was not possible with conventional planar sorting methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the separation parameter from size (conventional sorting) or lift (suction cleaning) to height. This parameter change allows for effective differentiation between leaf stalks and berries, as the height parameter provides sufficient contrast that the other parameters do not.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If size-based sorting is used to separate leaf stalks from fruit berries, then sorting can be performed, but leaf stalks cannot be effectively eliminated because the size difference between leaf stalks and berries is not sufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of leaf stalk eliminationVSAvoidloss of fruit berries

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from two-dimensional size-based sorting to three-dimensional height-based separation. By utilizing the vertical dimension with an extraction conveyor and deflector, the system exploits the height difference between leaf stalks and berries to achieve separation that was not possible with conventional planar sorting methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the separation parameter from size (conventional sorting) or lift (suction cleaning) to height. This parameter change allows for effective differentiation between leaf stalks and berries, as the height parameter provides sufficient contrast that the other parameters do not.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of substance

If conventional cleaning or sorting systems are used, then the harvested stream can be processed, but leaf stalks remain mixed with cleaned grapes because their physical characteristics are too similar to fruit berries

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloss of fruit berriesVSAvoidpurity of harvested stream

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from two-dimensional size-based sorting to three-dimensional height-based separation. By utilizing the vertical dimension with an extraction conveyor and deflector, the system exploits the height difference between leaf stalks and berries to achieve separation that was not possible with conventional planar sorting methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the separation parameter from size (conventional sorting) or lift (suction cleaning) to height. This parameter change allows for effective differentiation between leaf stalks and berries, as the height parameter provides sufficient contrast that the other parameters do not.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach allows for the efficient elimination of leaf stalks from the harvested stream while recovering detached berries, improving the quality of the harvested fruit by ensuring minimal loss of berries during the process.

Implementation Method 1

the extraction of components of the portion passing through other than leaf stalks (P) is effected by making use of the height of said components on the conveyor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeight difference:

Implementation Method 2

said conveyor further comprises at least one deflector disposed above said belt, said deflector being adapted to remove from the belt components other than leaf stalks

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLateral ejection:

Data Source

PatentEP2190280B1Method for eliminating leaf stalks from a harvested crop flow

Publication Date: 2017.03.29 CNH IND FRANCE

AI summary

The invention relates to a method of eliminating leaf stalks (P) from a harvested stream in a machine for harvesting fruit berries (G), said method successively comprising the steps of feeding the harvested stream to a sorting device through which a stream portion comprising leaf stalks (P) and fruit berries (G) can pass; recovering the portion passing through on a conveyor: removing from the conveyor components of the passing through portion other than leaf stalks (P); eliminating leaf stalks (P) remaining on the conveyor. The invention also relates to a sorting device, an extraction conveyor, and an elimination system for implementing this method, and a fruit berry harvesting machine including this kind of elimination system.