Pneumatic Leaf-Stripping System With Selector Nozzle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic stripping systems in viticulture lack versatility in adjusting stripping intensity without manual intervention, leading to inefficiencies and increased energy consumption, noise, and mechanical wear.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic leaf stripping system with a selector mechanism that allows easy switching between nozzles of different diameters to modify air flow intensity, enabling adjustable stripping without replacing nozzles, and a valve system for alternating airflow between two nozzles to achieve varying stripping intensities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the flow of compressed air is increased to enhance stripping intensity, then the stripping effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases and mechanical wear accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the nozzle diameter to control air flow intensity. Instead of increasing compressed air flow to improve stripping effectiveness, the system changes the physical parameter of nozzle diameter (from first diameter to second diameter) to achieve different stripping intensities. This resolves the contradiction by providing an alternative parameter to control productivity without increasing energy consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual intervention is used to change nozzle size to adjust stripping intensity, then stripping versatility is improved, but operation complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through an automated selection mechanism that switches between nozzles of different diameters based on pre-programmed parameters or sensor input. The controller automatically selects the appropriate nozzle without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining stripping versatility while significantly reducing operational complexity and time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation of changing nozzles with an automated control system. The controller electronically manages the selection and switching between nozzles, substituting manual mechanical adjustment with an automated control mechanism. This maintains adaptability while greatly simplifying operation.
3Device complexity
If a single nozzle is used for all stripping conditions, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to varying conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves universality by equipping it with multiple nozzles of different diameters that can handle various stripping conditions. Instead of requiring different systems for different conditions, a single system with multiple nozzles serves multiple functions - early leaf stripping, late leaf stripping, and intermediate stripping - thereby maintaining device simplicity while improving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies dynamics by making the nozzle configuration changeable during operation. The controller dynamically selects and switches between nozzles of different diameters based on the specific stripping conditions, transforming a static single-nozzle system into a dynamic multi-nozzle system that adapts to varying requirements.
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
Enables versatile and efficient leaf stripping with reduced environmental impact and operational costs by allowing adjustable air flow intensity without manual nozzle replacement, improving adaptability to varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
pneumatic stripping means mounted in the casing, in the form of one or more turnstiles each provided with at least two compressed air projection nozzles
Implementation Method 2
at least two nozzles (12, 13) for spraying compressed air of different diameters
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a pneumatic leaf-stripping system and to an agricultural machine equipped with such a system and notably finds an application in the field of viticulture for stripping the leaves off the vine stocks. This system is characterized in that it comprises at least two compressed-air spray nozzles (12, 13) of different diameters, and in that the adjustment means (14) comprise a selector (14) able to adopt a first position and a second position in which positions it is able to direct the flow of compressed air coming from the supply line exclusively towards a first or respectively a second of the two nozzles (12, 13) so that when the air flow is directed towards one of the two nozzles, leaf-stripping is performed according to one of the two leaf-stripping intensities, and when the air flow is directed towards the other of the two nozzles, the leaf-stripping is performed according to the other of the two leaf-stripping intensities.