Pneumatic Selection Device for Selective Pruning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pruning machines lack the ability to selectively prune branches, leading to indiscriminate cutting and potential loss of fruit-bearing or flowering branches, which are typically pruned by hand to avoid this issue.
Innovation Solution
A selection device with actuator elements, such as blowers or mechanical pushing/pulling mechanisms, is integrated with pruning machines to selectively move branches or sprouts to cutting elements, allowing for the preservation of those not intended for pruning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pruning machines cut all branches indiscriminately, then the pruning process is simple and fast, but fruit-bearing or flowering branches are damaged or lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using air blowers to pre-position branches before they reach the cutting elements. Branches that need to be pruned are blown toward the cutting zone, while fruit-bearing branches are blown away, enabling selective pruning before the actual cutting occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic devices (air blowers) to exert force on branches and move them selectively. The blowers channel air streams to push desired branches toward cutting elements while directing fruit-bearing branches away, enabling automated selection without mechanical contact until cutting
2Reliability
If pruning is performed manually to select branches, then branch selection accuracy is high, but the pruning process is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical selection process with a pneumatic system. Instead of hands sorting and positioning branches, air blowers automatically detect and position branches based on their characteristics, maintaining selection accuracy while dramatically increasing speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows branches to be self-selected based on their physical properties. The air stream naturally responds to branch characteristics (size, weight, position), automatically separating fruit-bearing branches from those intended for pruning without human intervention
3Adaptability or versatility
If actuator devices are added to pruning machines for selective pruning, then branch selection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air blowers serve multiple functions: they position branches for cutting, separate fruit-bearing branches, and control the timing of branch presentation to cutting elements. This single pneumatic component performs what would otherwise require multiple separate mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The air stream acts as an intermediary between the pruning machine's control system and the branches. Instead of direct mechanical manipulation, the compressed air mediates the selection and positioning process, simplifying the connection between control and execution
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 selective mechanical pruning, preventing the cutting of branches that produce flowers or fruits, thereby maintaining plant productivity while automating the pruning process.
Implementation Method 1
comprises actuator devices (4), adapted to exert a force upon branches or sprouts, so as to move certain branches or sprouts
Implementation Method 2
A first embodiment of the selection device comprises a plurality of blowing elements (42), adapted to exert a pushing force upon branches or sprouts
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
Figure 3A~4
Figure 5A~6
AI summary
The subject-matter of the present invention is a selection device (3) for pruning machines (2). The device is designed to selecting branches or sprouts for the pruning, which is performed by means of said pruning machine. The selection device (3) comprises at least one fixing portion (31) so as to be able to be fixed to a pruning machine (2) in a removable manner. The selection device comprises, furthermore: at least one actuator device (4), which is designed to exert a force upon said branches and sprouts, thus moving them so as to cause the branches or sprouts selected for the pruning to be arranged in correspondence to cutting elements (22) provided in the pruning machine, hence at least partially preserving the other branches or sprouts from the pruning; a first frame (33), which is designed to at least partially support said at least one actuator device (4); and at least one regulating mechanism (35), which is fixed to said first frame (33), is associated with at least one actuator device (4), and is designed to regulate at least the direction along which a force is exerted by at least one actuator device (4) associated therewith.