Rotatable Fruit Plucking Attachment for Harvesting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hand-held fruit harvesting tools are not versatile enough to efficiently pluck fruits of different sizes or types, leading to ergonomic issues and reduced usability.

Innovation Solution

A fruit harvesting tool with a selectively rotatable fruit plucking attachment that can be easily attached and detached via a snap fit arrangement, allowing for interchangeable positions to accommodate fruits of various sizes and types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single conventionally designed harvesting tool is used, then the tool structure is simple, but it cannot pluck fruits of different sizes or types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to pluck different fruit sizes and typesVSAvoidtool structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The harvesting tool is divided into a handle portion and a separate container portion with interchangeable comb attachments. The comb assembly can be segmented into different comb types (first comb, second comb, third comb) that can be selectively attached to the container portion, allowing the tool to adapt to different fruit sizes and types without redesigning the entire tool structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The container portion is designed with a universal interface (attachment portion with opening) that can accommodate multiple types of combs. This universal design allows a single container portion to perform multiple functions by simply changing the comb attachment, enabling the tool to harvest different fruit types (berries, apples, etc.) with one base structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If upright gripping fingers are used on the crown, then the tool can grip fruits, but it becomes cumbersome and unergonomic to operate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveergonomic operationVSAvoidcrown structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having upright gripping fingers extending upward from the crown, the invention inverts the gripping mechanism by positioning the comb teeth horizontally within the arcuate opening of the container portion. This inverted arrangement allows the comb to engage fruits in a more natural, ergonomic manner that follows the contour of the container opening, making the tool easier to operate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The gripping mechanism transitions from a vertical orientation (upright fingers) to a horizontal orientation (comb teeth arranged radially within the arcuate opening). This dimensional change allows the gripping elements to be positioned in a plane that is more accessible to the user's hand, improving ergonomics while maintaining gripping functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If a snap fit arrangement is used for attachment, then the fruit plucking attachment can be easily and quickly attached or detached, but the connection strength may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment and detachment easeVSAvoidconnection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is segmented into multiple discrete snap fit features distributed around the attachment interface. Rather than relying on a single strong connection point, multiple smaller snap fit features (first snap fit feature, second snap fit feature, etc.) are arranged circumferentially to collectively provide both easy attachment/detachment and sufficient connection strength through distributed load bearing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines multiple snap fit features into a unified attachment system that integrates both ease of operation and connection strength. The snap fit features work together in conjunction with the arcuate opening geometry to create a attachment mechanism that is both user-friendly (easy to attach/detach) and mechanically sound (sufficient connection strength to withstand harvesting forces).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3809815B1Fruit harvesting tool

Publication Date: 2025.01.29 HUSQVARNA AB

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A fruit harvesting tool (100) includes a container (102) having a circumferential wall (104) extending between a closed bottom end (106) and a top end (108) of the container (102). The circumferential wall (104) and the top end (108) each defining at least a portion of an arcuate opening (110) extending along a perimeter (P) of the container (102) between the circumferential wall (104) and the top end (108). A fruit plucking attachment (114) is selectively engaged with the top end (108) of the container (102). The fruit plucking attachment (114) comprises a first comb (116) at a first side (118) and a second comb (120) at a second side (122). The fruit plucking attachment (114) is selectively rotatable between a first position and a second position to allow one of the first comb (116) and the second comb (120) to be disposed into the arcuate opening (110).