Pivotable Fruit Collector with Elastic Envelope and Gravity Spout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fruit collection methods are cumbersome and require improvement in construction, assembly, and efficiency, particularly when collecting fruits like apples, pears, and quinces from the ground.
Innovation Solution
A fruit collector system comprising a pivotable retaining bracket and collecting container with a permeable envelope, allowing fruits to pass through and featuring a spout for efficient collection and discharge, adaptable to various fruit types and sizes, and optionally manual or automatic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual fruit collection is used, then no additional equipment is needed, but the process is cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fruit collector as an intermediary tool between the ground and the collector's hand. This device includes a collecting container with a discharge opening and a support structure with a support surface, allowing fruits to be gathered and discharged efficiently without direct manual handling, thus improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The fruit collector is designed to perform multiple functions automatically: the support surface gathers fruits when placed on the ground, the container automatically collects and holds them, and the discharge opening enables easy emptying. This self-service design reduces the need for continuous manual intervention, enhancing both efficiency and operational convenience
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed collecting container is used, then construction is simple, but adaptability to different fruit types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible envelope made of elastic material that can dynamically adapt its shape and size. The envelope can expand to accommodate different fruit sizes and collapse for compact storage, providing versatility for different fruit types while maintaining relatively simple construction through the use of a single flexible material
Solution Approach 2:
The collecting container's parameters (shape, volume, opening size) can change based on the type of fruit being collected. The elastic envelope allows the container to adjust its dimensions to match different fruit sizes, and the discharge opening can be positioned or sized appropriately for different harvesting needs, achieving adaptability without complex mechanisms
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fruits are discharged through the container opening, then the structure is simple, but fruit damage occurs during discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a discharge opening as an intermediary structure between the collecting container and the ground. This opening provides a controlled path for fruit discharge that prevents direct impact with the ground, reducing fruit damage while maintaining relatively simple device structure through the integration of the opening into the container design
4Ease of operation
If the collecting container is fixed to the support, then assembly is simple, but operational flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic connection between the collecting container and the support structure. The container can be positioned at different locations on the support surface and adjusted to different orientations, providing operational flexibility. The connection method allows for easy repositioning and reconfiguration while maintaining simple assembly through the use of the support surface geometry and container placement
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 system simplifies fruit collection by allowing easy adaptation to different fruit types, reduces fruit damage during collection and discharge, and enhances operational efficiency with a design that supports stable and efficient fruit gathering and handling.
Implementation Method 1
the envelope (5) comprises a plurality of elastic wire bars (20)... upon moving or rolling the collecting container (4) over a fruit (25), the fruit (25) will spread certain wire bars (20) apart such that a gap in the envelope (5) is generated
Implementation Method 2
by moving, in particular rolling, the collecting container (4) by means of a retaining bracket (3) pivotably retaining the collecting container (4) over fruits (25) lying on the ground
Implementation Method 3
The hub (9) comprises an axial central opening (13) arranged to communicate with the collecting container inner volume... enabling a passage of fruits to be collected into the collecting container (4)
Data Source
AI summary
A fruit collector (1) may include a retaining bracket (3) and a collecting container (4) that is pivotably associated with the retaining bracket. The retaining bracket includes a hub (9) arranged to pivotably retain a stub axle section (12) of the collecting container projecting from an axial end of the collecting container.