Segmented Hop Picking Finger with Helical Springs for Wear Resistance

Solution Overview

Problem

Current picking fingers in hop harvesting equipment are not ideally suited for picking applications, have a limited lifespan due to wear and breakage, and require shutdown for replacement, leading to inefficiencies and added costs.

Innovation Solution

A picking finger formed from a single piece of steel wire with a V-shaped tip and helical springs, designed for increased flexibility and durability, allowing for interchangeable use in existing pickers with improved wear resistance and ease of replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If picking fingers are designed to overlap or interlock on the finger bar, then resilience is increased and wear is eliminated in raking devices, but in pickers the points of contact become wear points prone to breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveresilienceVSAvoidwear resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The picking finger is divided into distinct segments (upper segment, middle segment, lower segment, foot segment) connected by flexible joints. This segmentation allows each segment to move independently, distributing stress and preventing concentrated wear at contact points while maintaining overall resilience of the structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The picking finger employs a dynamic design with flexible joints and segments that can deflect and adapt during operation. The upper segment can deflect relative to the middle segment, and the lower segment can deflect relative to the foot segment, allowing the finger to absorb impacts and adjust to varying loads without creating fixed wear points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If picking fingers have limited range of deflection, then structural integrity is maintained, but under modern applications the range is routinely exceeded making breakage more likely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidrange of deflection

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The picking finger employs a dynamic design with flexible joints and segments that can deflect and adapt during operation. The upper segment can deflect relative to the middle segment, and the lower segment can deflect relative to the foot segment, allowing the finger to absorb impacts and adjust to varying loads without creating fixed wear points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The picking finger utilizes material and structural parameters that enable greater deflection range. The flexible joints and segmented structure allow the finger to bend and flex within controlled limits, increasing the range of deflection to handle modern application demands while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed flexibility of the segmented design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If picking fingers are replaced when worn or broken, then operational reliability is maintained, but the picker must be shut down leading to lost time and added expense

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoiddowntime for replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The picking finger is divided into distinct segments (upper segment, middle segment, lower segment, foot segment) connected by flexible joints. This segmentation allows each segment to move independently, distributing stress and preventing concentrated wear at contact points while maintaining overall resilience of the structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The picking finger is designed as a relatively simple, inexpensive component that can be quickly replaced. The segmented design with standard connections allows for rapid installation of replacement fingers, minimizing downtime and the economic impact of routine maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 improved picking finger design enhances wear resistance and reduces stress breaks, enabling effective separation of hop cones from other plant material while allowing for simple and efficient replacement, minimizing downtime and costs.

Implementation Method 1

A helical spring 24 is formed between the middle and lower segments of each leg. Preferably, the helical spring comprises three coils extending into the space between the two legs. The pair of helical springs allow the picking finger to flex and spring back when pressure is applied to the V-shaped apex of the picking finger.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11445662B2Hop picking finger

Publication Date: 2022.09.20 VIRGIL GAMACHE FARMS INC

AI summary

An improved hop picking finger for use in automated hop harvesting equipment, formed from a single length of wire and having a first leg and a second leg, each leg comprising an upper segment, a middle segment, a lower segment and a helical spring between the middle and lower segments. The ratio of the lengths of the middle segment and lower segment to the helical spring diameter increases wear resistance and decreases stress breaks. An array of non-interlocking, non-overlapping hop picking fingers removably secured to a hop harvester finger bar.