Nut Collector Pivotable Dump Bucket Maneuverability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nut collecting machines are large and difficult to maneuver between closely spaced trees, and their dump buckets do not provide efficient unloading, with fruit selection and cleaning processes often requiring powerful air flows and lacking efficient mesh screens.
Innovation Solution
A compact nut collecting machine design featuring rotating brushes, a collecting belt, vibrating screens, and an air flow cleaning unit, with a side-mounted cup elevator and pivotable dump bucket for improved unloading, reducing overall length and enhancing maneuverability and unloading efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional nut collecting machines use large dump buckets and sequential continuous structure, then they can store collected nuts, but the overall length of the machine increases considerably making it difficult to maneuver between closely spaced trees
Solution Approach 1:
The dump bucket is repositioned from a sequential continuous arrangement to a lateral position alongside the cleaning equipment, utilizing the lateral dimension rather than extending the longitudinal length of the machine. This allows the bucket to be accessed from the side while maintaining compact overall dimensions for maneuverability between tree rows.
Solution Approach 2:
The machine is divided into functionally independent modules (cleaning equipment, dump bucket, unloading mechanism) that can be independently positioned and operated. The dump bucket is segmented from the main body and positioned laterally, allowing it to be accessed and emptied independently without increasing the machine's overall length.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional machines use sequential continuous dump bucket design, then nuts can be stored, but unloading efficiency is reduced and maneuverability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The dump bucket is designed to pivot between a loading position (aligned with the elevator for receiving nuts) and an unloading position (angled outward for rapid discharge). This dynamic repositioning capability allows the bucket to be quickly emptied without interrupting the continuous operation of the cleaning equipment, thereby increasing overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The unloading operation is enabled through lateral movement and pivoting motion rather than requiring the bucket to be positioned at the rear of the machine. This lateral/unloading dimension allows for faster discharge and easier access to the bucket opening, improving unloading efficiency.
3Device complexity
If conventional fruit selection equipment does not use combination of different mesh screens, then the structure is simpler, but the fruit selection process requires a very powerful flow of air
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the fruit selection process use screens with different mesh sizes tailored to specific separation needs. The first screen (larger mesh) removes bulk debris while the second screen (smaller mesh) separates nuts from remaining debris. This localized optimization of screen properties allows effective separation with reduced air flow requirements compared to using a single powerful air stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The fruit selection process is segmented into multiple stages using different mesh screens rather than relying on a single powerful air flow. The first screen stage handles coarse debris removal, while the second screen stage handles finer separation. This segmentation of the selection process reduces the energy requirement for any single air flow while maintaining effective fruit selection.
Data Source
AI summary
A nut collector which includes a chassis supported on its lower surface over a crosswise shaft and respective wheels, while, on the front side, it receives a coupling drawbar, below which is a collector set is located having rotating brushes and located close to the ground and leveled by side wheels such that aligned fruits in that region are swept inside as the machine moves ahead and subsequently pass through a vibrating screen assembly and selection screens, wherein the residues and debris are separated and the clean nuts pass through a crosswise transporter and elevator for accumulation in a dump bucket.