Olive Picking Beating Device with Rototranslating Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable beating devices for picking fruit, such as olives, are complex, costly, and prone to breakdowns due to numerous components under stress, lacking simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and practicality.
Innovation Solution
A portable beating device with a simplified movement system using a motorized drive unit connected to a pinion and toothed wheel mechanism, featuring a rod-crank mechanism and rototranslating joints, which reduces the number of components and enhances reliability by allowing effective lubrication and protection from contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If known beating devices use multiple oscillatory arms with complex transmission systems, then the fruit detachment effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple oscillatory arms into a single arm structure that performs both oscillating and translating movements. This merging eliminates the need for complex transmission systems while maintaining effective fruit detachment, directly resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single arm is designed to perform multiple functions: it oscillates to beat the branches and translates along its longitudinal axis to enhance the beating effect. This multi-functionality replaces what previously required multiple specialized components, reducing overall system complexity while preserving effectiveness
2Ease of operation
If known devices use multiple constrained components under stress, then the movement functionality is achieved, but the reliability decreases due to higher breakdown risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate transmission components from the system. By directly connecting the motor to the single arm through a simplified mechanism, it removes multiple constrained components that were prone to breakdown, thereby improving reliability while maintaining movement functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates protective features such as sealed bearings and lubrication systems before components are subjected to stress. This preventive approach protects critical components from contaminants and wear, reducing breakdown risk before it occurs
3Productivity
If known devices have complex movement systems, then the beating performance is enhanced, but the manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges oscillating and translating movements into a single arm mechanism, eliminating the need for separate complex transmission systems. This reduction in component count directly lowers manufacturing costs and assembly complexity while preserving beating performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the movement parameters by introducing translational motion along the arm's longitudinal axis in addition to oscillation. This parameter change enhances beating performance without requiring proportionally more complex mechanisms, thereby improving the cost-performance ratio
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 is more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective, with a reduced risk of breakdowns, offering improved performance through a combination of oscillatory and translational movements for efficient fruit detachment.
Implementation Method 1
a motorized drive unit (which can be of various types, e.g. electric, thermal, pneumatic, etc.)
Implementation Method 2
the arms are hinged to respective lateral ends of a head of an actuating element by respective composite joints
Implementation Method 3
EP2138028A2 shows an example of this type of device, wherein the oscillatory arms are actuated by a rod-crank mechanism acting on respective arm ends
Implementation Method 4
Each rototranslating joint includes an eccentric pin and a bearing
Implementation Method 5
the device of the invention allows the sealing of moving mechanical parts in a simpler and more effective way, thus protecting them from external contaminants and allowing an effective lubrication
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A portable beating device for picking fruit off trees comprises a support frame (3); a pair of oscillatory beating members (4) supported by the frame (3); and a movement system (5) supported by the frame (3) and moving the beating members (4) by means of a pushing element (39); the beating members (4) being hinged to the frame (3) or to the pushing element (39) by means of respective composite joints (28; 38) configured to allow the rotation of the respective beating member (4) about at least a first rotation axis (A, B) and a transverse displacement of said first rotation axis (A, B) while the beating member (4) rotates about said first rotation axis (A, B).