Lifting Device for Elevating Grape Crates to Platform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current grape harvesting methods are inefficient and labor-intensive, as workers must carry heavy filled crates, which can damage grapes and prolong the harvesting process, leading to delayed pressing and reduced grape quality.
Innovation Solution
A lifting device with a mobile receiving surface that elevates filled crates onto a raised platform, allowing for simultaneous harvesting and transport of grapes without additional handling steps, reducing physical effort and time between harvesting and pressing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If workers manually carry filled crates from vines to trailer, then grape harvesting can be completed, but worker physical effort increases and grape quality deteriorates due to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (lifting device with mobile receiving means) between the vines and the trailer. This device receives crates directly at the vine location, lifts them to platform level, and transfers them to the trailer, eliminating the need for workers to manually carry heavy crates and thereby preventing grape damage during transport
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting device enables the harvesting system to serve itself by automatically lifting and transferring crates without human physical intervention. The mobile receiving means positions itself to receive crates, the lifting mechanism elevates them autonomously, and the transfer to trailer occurs without worker handling, making the system self-sufficient in handling the harvesting logistics
2Quantity of substance
If box recovery device is used after entire row harvest, then all boxes are recovered, but harvesting duration increases and time between picking and pressing is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device operates continuously throughout the harvesting process rather than waiting for completion. As crates are filled at any point during vine harvesting, they are immediately lifted and transferred to the trailer via the mobile receiving means and lifting mechanism, maintaining continuous useful action and eliminating post-harvest recovery delays
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting device is positioned and ready in advance within the vine row, allowing crates to be lifted and transferred immediately upon filling. This preliminary positioning enables the system to act as soon as crates are ready, rather than waiting for harvest completion, thereby reducing the time between grape picking and pressing
3Reliability
If raised platform is used for grape transport, then grape quality is maintained through rapid transport, but loading complexity increases due to elevation
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device incorporates dynamic elements including mobile receiving means that can move to position itself for crate reception, and a lifting mechanism with movable components that adapt to the platform elevation. This dynamic design simplifies the loading process by automatically adjusting to the raised platform position, reducing overall loading complexity while maintaining grape quality through rapid transport
Solution Approach 2:
The loading system is segmented into distinct functional components: the mobile receiving means for crate acquisition, the lifting mechanism for elevation, and the transfer system for platform loading. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while achieving reliable grape transport to the raised platform
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 device enables efficient recovery and transport of filled crates as harvesting progresses, reducing worker effort, minimizing grape damage, and shortening the time between harvesting and pressing, thereby maintaining grape quality.
Implementation Method 1
lifting means mounted on the frame and configured to move the mobile receiving means from a low position located under the platform to a high position located substantially at the height of the platform
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a lifting device (1) for a load (2) to a raised platform, comprising: - a frame (6) fixed to said raised platform, - a movable receiving means (8) including a receiving surface (20) configured to receive said load, and - a lifting means (10) mounted on the frame (6) and configured to move the receiving means (8) from a low position located below the platform to a high position located substantially at the height of the platform. The lifting means (8) is configured to orient the receiving surface (20) of the receiving means (8) differently in the low and high positions, relative to the horizontal. The invention also relates to an agricultural machine comprising a crate storage platform and one or more lifting devices (1).