Counter-Rotating Roller Aquatic Plant Extraction Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling and removing excessive aquatic plant growth in stagnant water bodies, such as ponds and lakes, are inefficient and can exacerbate the problem by allowing cut plant parts to float and multiply, while mowing tools often fail to effectively control propagation and expansion of unwanted plant populations.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a buoyant, height-adjustable detection system with counter-rotating rollers that grasp and pull out aquatic plants with their roots, preventing regrowth by removing the entire plant, including roots, which can be transported to a buffer container for continuous harvesting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mowing tools are used to cut aquatic plants above their roots, then the plants can be removed from the water surface, but the roots remain on the lakebed and the plants can regrow, reducing the effectiveness and duration of plant control
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the entire aquatic plant including roots from the water body. The extraction device grasps the plant at the water surface and pulls it completely out of the water, removing roots that would otherwise remain on the lakebed and cause regrowth. This complete extraction resolves the contradiction by eliminating both the above-water and below-water portions of the plant.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of cutting the plant from the top down and leaving roots behind (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by grasping the plant at the surface and pulling upward to extract the entire plant including roots. This inverted extraction method ensures complete removal and prevents regrowth, thereby improving both effectiveness and duration of plant control.
2Quantity of substance
If mowing boats are used to cut aquatic plants, then vegetation can be reduced, but cut plant parts float openly in the water and can reproduce more readily like cuttings, exacerbating the propagation problem
Solution Approach 1:
The invention completely extracts aquatic plants including roots from the water body, removing entire plants rather than cutting them. This complete extraction prevents cut plant parts from floating and reproducing as cuttings, directly addressing the harmful propagation effect while reducing overall plant biomass.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of floating cuttings that propagate into a benefit by completely removing plants with roots. The extraction process transforms the problem of unwanted propagation into an opportunity for complete plant removal, turning the harmful floating cutting phenomenon into a beneficial complete extraction process.
3Productivity
If conventional mowing methods are used, then some vegetation control is achieved, but the control is ineffective for preventing propagation and spread of unwanted aquatic plant populations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention provides reliable propagation control by completely extracting aquatic plants including roots from the water body. This complete extraction method ensures that no roots remain on the lakebed to regenerate plants, making the vegetation control reliable and effective against propagation and spread of unwanted plant populations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the conventional mowing approach by pulling plants upward from the water surface to extract complete plants including roots, rather than cutting from the top down. This inverted extraction method reliably prevents propagation by ensuring complete plant removal, making the vegetation control both productive and reliable.
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 approach allows for sustainable and effective removal of aquatic plants, lengthening removal intervals and preventing regrowth, while minimizing disturbance to the water bed and reducing the need for frequent maintenance, thereby controlling unwanted plant populations and enhancing water use for leisure activities.
Implementation Method 1
at least two rollers (16) rotating about parallel axes and in pairs in opposite directions to each other, wherein at least one of the rollers is driven, so that the rollers, in their paired opposite rotation, roll against each other, if necessary at a small distance from each other, but preferably in a form-fitting and/or friction-fit manner
Implementation Method 2
The captured aquatic plants, which have been pulled from the bottom of the water body, can be moved between the at least two counter-rotating rollers and thereby moved upwards and in the direction of the water surface
Implementation Method 3
A device according to the invention includes a pivotable and/or height-adjustable grasping device, which can thus be adapted to different plant heights
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3G
AI summary
A device (10) and a method for capturing and/or extracting aquatic plants rooted in the bottom of a body of water are disclosed. The device (10) comprises a pivotable capture device (12) having at least two rollers (16) rotating about parallel axes and in pairs in opposite directions, wherein at least one of the rollers (16) is driven, and wherein the rollers (16) roll against each other in their paired, opposite rotation by positive and/or frictional engagement. The captured aquatic plants, extracted from the bottom of the body of water, are moved between the oppositely rotating rollers (16) and thereby moved and/or conveyed upwards and in the direction of the water surface and/or in the direction of a transport device (22) located downstream of the rollers (16) in the conveying direction (20).Downstream of the transport device (22) in the conveying direction (20) is a receiving container (42) for receiving aquatic plants extracted by means of the collection device (12) and conveyed by means of the transport device (22).