Oscillating Tang End Effector for Berry Harvesting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current machine harvester systems for berries damage berries during the harvesting process, leading to poor quality that is unsuitable for the fresh commercial market, and are unable to effectively separate different sized berries.

Innovation Solution

The development of an end effector system with a housing containing upper and lower funnel structures and tang cartridges that use oscillating tangs to gently dislodge berries from their stems, allowing for selective separation and collection of berries of varying sizes using vacuum conduits and adjustable tang spacing and frequency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If violent shaking is used to dislodge berries from stems, then harvesting efficiency is improved, but berry quality deteriorates due to extensive damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting efficiencyVSAvoidberry damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies controlled mechanical vibration through oscillating tangs at specific frequencies (e.g., 100-500 Hz) to gently dislodge berries from stems. This resonant vibration selectively detaches berries without the violent shaking that causes damage, thus maintaining berry quality while achieving machine harvesting efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of the dislodging mechanism from violent shaking to controlled oscillation with adjustable frequency and amplitude. By tuning the vibration parameters to match the natural frequency of berry-stem attachment, the system achieves effective separation without excessive force that would damage the berries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If machine harvesting is used, then labor costs are reduced, but berry quality for fresh market deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting automationVSAvoidberry quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical shaking system with an oscillating tang system that uses controlled vibration and airflow. This substitution allows for gentler berry detachment that maintains quality standards for fresh market while preserving the benefits of automated machine harvesting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If uniform tang spacing is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but ability to separate different sized berries deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetang cartridge structureVSAvoidberry size separation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the tang cartridge into multiple zones with different tang spacing configurations. Each zone has specifically spaced tangs designed to target berries of particular size ranges, enabling the system to separate and selectively harvest different sized berries while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution enables the harvesting of high-quality berries suitable for the fresh market while allowing for the separation of different sized berries, minimizing damage and maintaining berry quality by using controlled vibration frequencies and air flow to dislodge berries from their stems.

Implementation Method 1

use oscillating tangs to gently dislodge berries from their stems

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

using vacuum conduits and adjustable tang spacing and frequency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentUS10674666B2End effectors for harvesting machines and methods for using end effectors

Publication Date: 2020.06.09 HARVESTMOORE LLC

AI summary

An end effector for harvesting fruit. The end effector has a housing and a plurality of tangs extending from an end of the housing. The end effector further has an oscillator device secured to the housing and the oscillator device in an oscillating relationship with the plurality of tangs.