Vertical Spindle Hazel Crown for Yield and Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
The yield of hazel trees in intensive cultivation is influenced by various factors, including cultivation form of the crown, which affects firmness, light usability, production space, mechanization, uniformity, and longevity of yield, and existing forms either lead to reduced yield over time or require extensive manual labor.
Innovation Solution
The cultivation form features a hazel tree with a crown in the shape of a vertical cylinder or spindle, supported by wire-ties, allowing for efficient use of space and mechanization, with branches cut to maintain a uniform cross-section and stability, enabling high-yield production on both small and large areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hazel tree is cultivated in bush form with simple structure, then ease of operation and manual cultivation is improved, but yield in later years deteriorates due to reduced productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The crown is segmented into multiple levels with primary branches at different heights (first level at 0.5-1.0m, second level at 1.0-1.5m, third level at 1.5-2.0m), allowing differentiated cultivation operations for each level while maintaining overall structural integrity for sustained productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The cultivation form transitions from two-dimensional bush structure to three-dimensional multi-level crown structure, utilizing vertical space to increase yielding surface area and maintain productivity over longer periods
2Productivity
If hazel tree is cultivated with trunk and vase-shaped crown, then productivity and yielding area are improved, but device complexity and mechanization difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The crown is divided into three distinct height levels with specific branch arrangements, creating standardized segments that facilitate mechanized operations while maintaining high yielding surface area
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating a wide vase-shaped crown at ground level, the invention inverts the approach by developing a tall narrow crown structure where branches are arranged at multiple heights, achieving productivity through vertical utilization rather than horizontal spread
3Illumination intensity
If branches are cut to maintain uniform cross-section, then crown form and light penetration are improved, but loss of time and labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The crown structure is preliminarily formed with branches positioned at specific heights and angles during initial cultivation, creating a pre-configured framework that maintains light penetration without requiring frequent subsequent cutting operations
Solution Approach 2:
Crown maintenance is performed periodically rather than continuously, with branches cut and repositioned at predetermined intervals to maintain uniform cross-section and light penetration while minimizing labor time
4Strength
If lines are tied to support for stability, then firmness and structural strength are improved, but device complexity and support requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Support ties are applied locally at specific positions where structural weakness occurs, rather than uniformly across the entire crown, providing targeted reinforcement to critical areas while minimizing support system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The crown maintains a uniform cross-sectional form throughout its height, creating a cylindrical or spindle shape that provides inherent structural strength and stability without requiring extensive external support systems
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
Cultivation of hazel tree with the crown having the form of vertical spindle on the support represents the new way of planting and intensive cultivation of a hazel tree. Figure 3 shows the plantation cultivation of hazel tree in double rows, which basic trees in the yield period have crowns in form of vertical cylinder or spindle shown in Figure 1. A skeleton of the basic tree consists of a central line (1) without trunk, having on it radially arranged primary branches (2) and yielding branches (3). During the whole life of a basic tree there is done cutting of branches and forming the crown on the line that may grow up to 3 or 5 meters and external diameter of the spindle of a crown may be from 0,5 up to 1 meter. Because of poor firmness of a skeleton, basic trees are by means of lines (1) leant against supports (6). Such a form of hazel tree cultivation enables control of yielding potential in all parts of cultivation form, good illumination and photosynthesis, high rationality factor, as well as regular and good yield of high quality products.