Rotating Material Guide for Stripping Irregular Canes from Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cane-pruning in grapevines is labor-intensive and inefficient due to the manual stripping of unwanted canes from fruiting wires, with existing machines either damaging the vines or failing to effectively remove irregular material.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a line guide and rotatable constricting member that imparts a tangential velocity to the material, guiding and compacting it into a stripping mechanism for efficient removal, capable of cutting and mulching the material into smaller pieces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual stripping of canes is performed, then complete removal of material is achieved, but labor intensity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical stripping process with an automated mechanical system. The stripping mechanism uses rotating elements that automatically engage with and remove canes from the wire, eliminating the need for manual labor while maintaining effective material removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The stripping mechanism is designed to automatically feed and process canes without continuous manual intervention. The system self-regulates the stripping process through its mechanical design, where the rotating elements and feed mechanisms work together to continuously remove material from the wire.
2Productivity
If existing stripping machines are used, then labor requirements are reduced, but they damage the vines or fail to remove irregular material effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The stripping mechanism applies different functions to different parts of the cane material. The rotating elements are designed to selectively engage with irregular canes and remove them while the guiding components protect the wire and surrounding vegetation from damage through localized control of the stripping action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic elements in the stripping mechanism, including rotating components that can adapt to irregular cane shapes and positions. This dynamic design allows the machine to handle variable material geometry effectively while controlling the force applied to minimize damage to the vine structure.
3Reliability
If manual stripping is performed, then complete material removal is achieved, but the process is physically demanding and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The stripping mechanism operates continuously as the wire passes through the machine, with rotating elements constantly engaged in removing canes. This continuous action eliminates the intermittent nature of manual stripping, significantly reducing the time required while ensuring complete material removal through sustained mechanical processing.
4Productivity
If strippers remove material from the line, then productivity increases, but the irregular shape and positioning of material complicates the stripping process
Solution Approach 1:
The stripping mechanism is divided into separate functional components: feed elements that present material to the stripping zone, rotating stripping elements that remove canes, and collection mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, handling irregular material effectively while keeping the overall system manageable.
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
The apparatus significantly reduces labor requirements by enabling efficient and safe stripping of unwanted canes from fruiting wires, minimizing damage to the vines and allowing continuous operation along the vine row without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a material guide including a rotatable constricting member; said material guide configured to vertically displace the line and guide, constrict, compact and/or re-orientate the irregular material attached to the line into engagement with the stripping mechanism
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus (100) for stripping irregular material (2) from a line (1) during relative movement between the apparatus (100) and line (1). The apparatus (100) includes a line guide (200), material guide (210) and stripping mechanism (101). The line (1) passes through the line guide (200). The material guide (210) is configured to guide, constrict, compact and/or re-orientate the irregular material (2) into engagement with the stripping mechanism (101). The stripping mechanism (101) has stripping elements (102) movable with respect to the line guide (200) and line (1) to strip the material (2) from the line (1). The method includes stripping material (2) from a line (1) extending between two end supports (4) and being releasably attached to intermediate supports (3). The material (2) is stripped by causing relative movement between a guide (100) and the line (1) after the line (1) is detached and moved away from the intermediate supports (3).