Oscillating Guide Plates for Vibration Balancing in Fruit Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing harvesting devices for small fruit pieces, such as olives, transmit vibrations to the operator, causing discomfort and risking branch damage, leading to reduced motor speed and increased harvesting time.
Innovation Solution
A portable device with two guide plates or a comb member oscillating via a driven transmission mechanism, mounted on a pole with an electric motor, is designed to reduce vibration transmission by balancing inertia forces and allowing adjustable angles for comfortable operation on various terrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a motor is used to vibrate the harvesting fingers among the branches, then the harvesting efficiency is improved, but relevant vibrations are transmitted to the operator causing discomfort and loss of control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a counterbalancing mechanism as an intermediary system between the motor and the operator. The counterbalancing fingers and weights create opposing vibrations that cancel out the harmful vibrations transmitted to the operator's hand, while still allowing the harvesting fingers to vibrate effectively among the branches for efficient fruit collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs counterweights and counterbalancing fingers that move in opposition to the harvesting fingers. These counterweights generate equal and opposite vibrations that neutralize the harmful vibrations transmitted to the operator, enabling high-speed motor operation without operator discomfort or loss of control.
2Ease of operation
If the motor speed is reduced to minimize vibration transmission, then operator comfort is improved, but the harvesting time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing counterbalancing weights and fingers that generate opposing vibrations, the system can operate the motor at high speeds for efficient harvesting while the counterweights cancel out the transmitted vibrations, maintaining operator comfort without requiring reduced motor speed or extended harvesting time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a portable device with oscillating comb member is used, then the device can be operated on rough or slanted ground, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the harvesting device into modular components: a pole section for operator handling and positioning, a support structure for the motor, and a comb member assembly with oscillating fingers. This segmentation allows the device to be lightweight and adaptable to rough terrain while keeping each component relatively simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates an oscillating comb member that can dynamically adjust its motion to adapt to different terrain conditions and branch configurations. The comb member's oscillating movement, driven by a simple eccentric mechanism, provides versatility for operating on rough or slanted ground without requiring complex suspension or adjustment systems.
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 allows for efficient and comfortable harvesting with reduced vibration transmission, enabling faster operation and increased safety, suitable for use on rough or slanted ground without the need for ladders.
Implementation Method 1
a driven transmission mechanism mounted in said support capable of causing said two guide plates to oscillate with opposite oscillating strokes
Implementation Method 2
causing said at least one comb member to oscillate with alternated movement rotating about said pivot point
Implementation Method 3
allowing adjustable angles for comfortable operation with a substantial reduction of the vibrations transmitted to an operator
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
A driven portable device for harvesting by shaking small fruit pieces from plants, comprising preferably two guide plates (2) formed each by a substantially plane body from which a plurality of fingers extend, wherein such bodies have a pivot point arranged on a same axis; a support to which the guide plates are pivotally connected to the pivot point; a driven transmission mechanism, having an electric motor (41), mounted in the support, capable of causing to oscillate the guide plates, with alternated opposite oscillating movement (8 and 9). The guide plates and the motor are arranged according to the predetermined angle (44) between the axis (11) of the motor and the axis (42) of the pole (5) and the angle (45) between the planes (43) of the guide plates and the axis (42) of the pole for balancing the forces of inertia and then the weights. It is, furthermore, provided an articulated joint (55) for orienting the head 1 with respect to the pole (5), in order to adjust and adapt the configuration of the harvesting device, depending on the spaces between the branches and/or the height of trees. The articulated means may have one or more angled positions (Sl and 52).