Pivotable Fruit Sorting Table for Grape Harvesters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fruit sorting tables in harvesting vehicles function suboptimally and experience reduced throughput when tilted relative to a horizontal position, leading to incorrect sorting and material accumulation on uneven terrain, which affects sorting accuracy and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A pivotably arranged fruit sorting table on the harvesting vehicle, which can pivot about one or more axes to maintain optimal horizontal alignment regardless of terrain inclination, using passive weight force for alignment without motorized means, ensuring the sorting table remains horizontal and perpendicular to the conveying direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the fruit sorting table is fixed in a horizontal position, then the sorting functionality is optimal on level ground, but the sorting accuracy deteriorates on sloping terrain due to material accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The fruit sorting table is made dynamically adjustable through a pivotable mounting that allows it to change its orientation angle relative to the harvesting vehicle. This enables the table to adapt from a fixed horizontal position on level ground to an inclined position that compensates for sloping terrain, maintaining optimal sorting functionality across varying operational conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation angle of the fruit sorting table is changed as a variable parameter to adapt to different terrain conditions. By adjusting the tilt angle of the table relative to the horizontal plane, the system maintains optimal material flow and sorting accuracy whether operating on level ground or sloping terrain
2Adaptability or versatility
If the fruit sorting table is tilted to compensate for terrain, then the adaptability to sloping ground is improved, but the sorting accuracy deteriorates due to material accumulation on one section
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic angular adjustment of the fruit sorting table relative to the harvesting vehicle frame. The table can pivot to an inclined position that counteracts terrain slope, ensuring the table surface remains effectively horizontal relative to the ground plane even when the vehicle is on sloping terrain, thus preventing material accumulation
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable mounting arrangement acts as a mechanical counterbalance system where the table's orientation is adjusted to counteract the effect of terrain inclination. By tilting the table in the opposite direction to the terrain slope, the system neutralizes the gravitational effect that would cause material accumulation, maintaining uniform material distribution across the table surface
3Device complexity
If the fruit sorting table is fixed on the harvesting vehicle, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sorting functionality deteriorates on uneven terrain due to incorrect alignment
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a completely fixed mounting, the system implements a semi-dynamic solution where the fruit sorting table is pivotably mounted on the harvesting vehicle. This allows the table to dynamically adjust its orientation angle to maintain proper alignment with the ground plane, compensating for vehicle inclination on uneven terrain while adding only minimal mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable mounting arrangement allows the fruit sorting table to self-adjust its orientation based on the harvesting vehicle's position on terrain. The mechanical design enables automatic alignment compensation through the pivot mechanism, reducing the need for complex active control systems while maintaining sorting functionality on varying terrain
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 configuration ensures optimal sorting functionality and reduced material accumulation, maintaining sorting accuracy and throughput even on sloping terrain without manual intervention, and allows for precise fruit and foreign body separation.
Implementation Method 1
A pivotably arranged fruit sorting table on the harvesting vehicle, which can pivot about one or more axes to maintain optimal horizontal alignment regardless of terrain inclination, using passive weight force for alignment
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a harvesting vehicle for harvesting fruit, in particular grapes, comprising a harvesting device for separating the fruit from the plants and a fruit sorting table for separating the fruit from foreign objects larger than the fruit. The invention is characterized in that the fruit sorting table is pivotably mounted on the harvesting vehicle.