Picking Device Transverse Cutting Screw Conveyor

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing corn harvesting attachments with double discs and clearing discs result in a high axle load, which can lead to soil compaction and the harvesting machine sinking into the ground, exceeding road approval limits and causing structural weakening.

Innovation Solution

A picking device with a holder that moves in one direction, equipped with a conveyor device having a transverse cutting screw conveyor, which allows for efficient fruit detection and separation by cutting through plants with knives, reducing the need for circular conveyor disks and minimizing the load on the harvesting machine.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If circular conveyor disks are used for transporting plants, then the conveying function is achieved, but the device weight and axle load increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconveying functionVSAvoidaxle load

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the heavy circular conveyor disks from the system, replacing them with a lighter conveyor belt system that achieves the same plant transportation function with significantly reduced weight and axle load

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention substitutes the mechanical circular conveyor disk system with a conveyor belt mechanism, replacing the heavy rotating disk structure with a lighter belt-based system that maintains conveying functionality while reducing overall device weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If heavy harvesting attachments are used for efficient fruit separation, then the harvesting function is improved, but the axle load exceeds road approval limits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting efficiencyVSAvoidaxle load

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the heavy circular conveyor disks from the system, replacing them with a lighter conveyor belt system that achieves the same plant transportation function with significantly reduced weight and axle load

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention substitutes the mechanical circular conveyor disk system with a conveyor belt mechanism, replacing the heavy rotating disk structure with a lighter belt-based system that maintains conveying functionality while reducing overall device weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If high axle load harvesting machines are used for efficient harvesting, then the harvesting capability is improved, but soil compaction and machine sinking occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting capabilityVSAvoidsoil compaction

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the heavy circular conveyor disks from the system, replacing them with a lighter conveyor belt system that achieves the same plant transportation function with significantly reduced weight and axle load

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention substitutes the mechanical circular conveyor disk system with a conveyor belt mechanism, replacing the heavy rotating disk structure with a lighter belt-based system that maintains conveying functionality while reducing overall device weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution effectively reduces the load on the harvesting machine, prevents soil compaction, and allows for efficient fruit separation and transportation, maintaining road approval compliance while improving harvesting efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the conveying device comprises a cutting conveyor screw (19) which is oriented approximately transversely to the working direction (6) and is rotatably mounted on the holder (20), the conveying direction (26) running in the direction of the screw axis (21)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew conveyor mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3007540B1Picking device

Publication Date: 2019.12.04 KALVERKAMP KLEMENS DE

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6

AI summary

Picking arrangement having at least one holder (20) which can be moved in an operating direction (6) and on which is provided at least one conveying device (18) with a front gripping region (65), by way of which the conveying device (18), by virtue of the holder (20) being moved in the operating direction (6), can be brought into contact with plants (5) bearing fruit (3), and therefore said plants can be gripped by means of the conveying device (18) and conveyed in a, or in at least one, conveying direction (26), and having a picking gap (34) which is provided behind the conveying device (18) and through which the plants (5) can be guided, with the fruit (3) being separated off in the process, wherein the conveying device (18) is designed such that the conveying direction (26), in the gripping region (65), runs rectilinearly, or essentially rectilinearly, and transversely, or essentially transversely, to the operating direction.