Seedling Picking Mechanism with Combing Action for Transplanting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current plug-tray seedling transplanting machines have low efficiency due to the need for manual intervention, seedling damage from direct insertion, and difficulty in controlling the timing of seedling dropping, especially when dealing with different row spacings and plug-tray configurations.
Innovation Solution
A plug-tray seedling automatic transplanting machine with a chassis bracket, seedling guiding devices, and a power mechanism, featuring a box shifting mechanism, seedling picking mechanism, and control system that allows for simultaneous picking and dropping of an entire row of seedlings without intervals, using movable seedling claws that comb seedlings before insertion and a seedling guiding device to reduce damage and improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If seedling claws are directly inserted into the pot from above to pick seedlings, then picking speed is improved, but seedling damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seedling claws perform a combing action before insertion to separate adjacent seedlings, and the insertion angle is optimized to minimize damage. This preliminary preparation reduces the harmful effects of the picking process while maintaining efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of inserting claws vertically from above, the patent uses an inclined insertion approach where claws enter at an angle between adjacent seedlings, combing them apart before grasping. This inverted approach transforms a potentially damaging vertical insertion into a gentler angled entry that separates rather than crushes seedlings
2Device complexity
If seedlings are picked and dropped in sequence, then control simplicity is improved, but dropping accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A seedling guiding device acts as an intermediary between the picking mechanism and planting mechanism. This guide structure receives seedlings and directs them along a controlled path, ensuring accurate placement while maintaining the simplicity of sequential operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex timed control mechanisms with a mechanical guiding structure that passively directs seedlings. The guiding device uses physical constraints and geometry rather than active control to achieve accurate dropping, simplifying the control system while improving precision
3Device complexity
If a single set of picking and separating mechanisms is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different row spacings deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The picking and separating mechanisms are designed with adjustable components that can be reconfigured for different row spacings. The seedling claws and separating devices can be positioned at different intervals, allowing the same mechanism to adapt to various crop configurations without requiring multiple fixed setups
4Productivity
If the plug-tray is moved vertically and laterally for picking, then picking coverage is improved, but transport efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional tray movement (vertical and lateral) to a different spatial arrangement where the picking mechanism moves along a linear path. The seedling claws are positioned to access multiple rows sequentially, converting complex multi-axis tray manipulation into simpler single-axis mechanism movement that maintains coverage while reducing transport time
Data Source
AI summary
A plug-tray seedling automatic transplanting machine and control method thereof, wherein, said machine comprises a chassis bracket, a planting mechanism, seedling separating mechanisms, seedling guiding devices, a power mechanism, a box shifting mechanism, a seedling picking mechanism. The box shifting mechanism is installed on the chassis bracket, the seedling picking mechanism is installed on the box shifting mechanism, and two sets of seedling separating mechanism are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the box shifting mechanism by the chassis bracket, the seedling guiding device is provided above each set of seedling separating mechanism, and the planting mechanism is provided under each set of seedling separating mechanism. With the synergistic effect of various mechanisms and control system, it is possible to pick seedlings in whole row without interval in various sizes of plug-trays, and drop seedlings at the same time, which increase the efficiency and success rate of picking seedlings and dropping seedlings. The plug-tray only needs to move longitudinally, thereby improving the efficiency of the plug-tray transport. The seedling claw can comb the pot seedlings before being inserted into the pot, which improves the quality of seedling picking. The seedling guiding device receives the seedlings statically and shortens the free-falling movement distance, which makes seedling dropping more accurate.