Pre-Pruner Shaft With Welded Lugs For Independent Cutting Element Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pre-pruners require a complete stack of discs and spacers to function, limiting adjustable cutting height and increasing complexity and cost, as users must adjust the entire assembly to prune upper vine parts.
Innovation Solution
The pre-pruner features a shaft with a cylinder and regularly distributed lugs, allowing cutting elements to be positioned at desired heights through a mechanically welded design, enabling independent adjustment of cutting elements without altering the entire assembly's height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complete stack of discs and spacers is used to ensure proper head function, then the structural integrity and cutting performance are maintained, but the cutting height becomes fixed and the entire assembly must be adjusted for height changes, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is segmented into modular components with regularly distributed lugs that can independently support cutting elements at different heights. This segmentation allows individual cutting elements to be positioned independently rather than requiring adjustment of the entire assembly, resolving the contradiction between maintaining structural integrity and enabling height adjustment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the entire frame and head assembly is adjusted to prune upper vine parts, then the cutting height is changed, but the operation becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft design enables dynamic reconfiguration of cutting element positions along the shaft length. The regularly distributed lugs allow cutting elements to be freely positioned at desired heights, providing adaptability without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms for the entire assembly.
3Stability of the object's composition
If discs and spacers are fixed in a complete stack, then the head structure is stable, but the cutting height cannot be adjusted without moving the entire assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is divided into multiple segments with regularly distributed lugs, each capable of independently supporting a cutting element. This segmentation maintains the stability of the overall shaft structure while allowing individual cutting elements to be positioned at different heights, enabling height adjustment without compromising structural integrity.
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 design simplifies manufacturing, reduces costs, and allows precise positioning of cutting elements, eliminating the need to adjust the entire assembly for varying pruning heights, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The shafts have a relatively simple design and are each made from a cylinder and lugs connected to the cylinder by a welded assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a pre-pruner comprising a frame, two heads arranged on either side of a row of plants in operation, each head comprising a support, a shaft (20.1, 20.2), a pivoting link connecting the shaft (20.1, 20.2) and the support and a plurality of cutting elements supported by the shaft (20.1, 20.2), characterized in that each shaft (20.1, 20.2) comprises a cylinder and groups of ears (74, 76; 74', 76') distributed regularly around the cylinder, each cutting element having a central hole for sliding on the cylinder and comprising as many cutouts as the shaft (20.1, 20.2) has ears for each cutting element.