Mobile Hop Harvester With Cutting Tower and Cone Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hop harvesting and processing systems are labor-intensive and lack comprehensive automation, particularly for vertically growing hop vines, as they typically require manual cutting, transport, and subsequent processing steps, with existing machines addressing only single harvesting or processing steps.

Innovation Solution

A mobile hop harvester and processor that autonomously cuts, sections, rakes, and collects hop cones from trellised bines, utilizing a cutting tower, bine processing table, and picking array to separate and collect hop cones, which can be self-propelled or towed, reducing labor requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual harvesting and processing methods are used, then labor flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but labor intensity and operational costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of harvesting and processingVSAvoidcomplexity of harvesting system

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple previously separate operations (cutting, transporting, stripping, and collecting hop cones) into a single integrated mobile harvesting system. The cutting tower, bine processing table, and picking array work together as one coordinated unit, eliminating the need for separate manual operations and reducing overall system complexity while achieving high-level automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile hop harvester performs multiple functions within a single device: it cuts bines from the trellis, sections them into manageable lengths, transports the segments, strips hop cones from the bines, and collects the cones. This multi-functional approach replaces several separate tools and operations, reducing labor requirements while managing device complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If conventional manual harvesting methods are used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but productivity and harvesting speed are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting and processing efficiencyVSAvoidtime for harvesting and processing operations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile hop harvester operates continuously through coordinated cyclic motion of its components. The cutting tower moves along the trellis continuously cutting bines, the bine processing table continuously sections and transports segments, and the picking array continuously strips and collects cones. This continuous operation eliminates idle time between operations and maximizes productivity throughout the harvesting process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting tower sections bines into manageable segments before they are fully processed, preparing them in advance for the stripping operation. This preliminary sectioning allows the picking array to work more efficiently on pre-prepared material, reducing the time required for the main harvesting operation and increasing overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If labor-intensive manual methods are used, then equipment investment is minimized, but operational costs and labor requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapital investment in harvesting equipmentVSAvoidlabor requirements for harvesting

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile hop harvester is designed to be self-propelled and self-operating, requiring minimal external assistance. The cutting tower autonomously moves along the trellis, the bine processing table automatically sections and transports material, and the picking array independently strips and collects cones. This self-service capability reduces the need for additional labor and equipment while managing capital investment through efficient design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20260060178A1Mobile hop harvester and processor

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 SEGAL RANCH LLC

AI summary

A mobile hop harvester including a tilt-able cutting tower that can be lowered to move into the hop yard, and then raised to the full height of a trellis to top and bottom cut, and segment hop bines. The segmented bines fall through the tilted cutting tower and are moved upward and reward on a bine conveyor into a picking array that includes parallel series of rotating top retarders positioned over a parallel series of bottom picker fingers, each mounted on parallel spools or rollers, moving the cones, bines and debris forward through the processor at a downward incline, keeping the residual bines, leaves, twine, and debris engaged for ejection from the front or towed end of the processor, while allowing the hop cones to fall onto a cone conveyor upward out the rear of the processor for collection into a bin or the bed of a tending truck.