Fruit Harvester Shaker Rod Clamping for Fast Tool-Free Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The removal and replacement of shaker rods in fruit harvesters is laborious and time-consuming due to the need for specific tools and mechanical connections, which are prone to damage under heavy loads and impacts.
Innovation Solution
A shaker assembly with a support featuring a cavity system that includes an entry portion, clamping portion, and bottleneck area, allowing for easy attachment and detachment of shaker rods using manual force, utilizing elastic deformation to secure the rods in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical connections (bolt connections) are used to attach shaker rods to supports, then the attachment is secure and reliable under heavy loads, but the removal and replacement becomes laborious and time-consuming requiring specific tools
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity is segmented into distinct functional zones: an entry portion for easy rod insertion, a bottleneck area for elastic deformation, and a clamping portion for secure retention. This segmentation allows the rod to be inserted easily while maintaining secure attachment under load.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity cross-sectional dimension changes along its length, creating a bottleneck area that is narrower than the rod. This parameter change enables elastic deformation during insertion, which then locks the rod in place without requiring tools for removal.
2Strength
If traditional mechanical connections are used for shaker rods, then the connection is strong enough to handle heavy loads and impacts, but the replacement process becomes complex and requires specialized tools
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity structure itself provides the locking mechanism through its bottleneck area. The elastic deformation of the support material in the bottleneck area creates a self-locking effect that secures the rod without requiring additional fasteners or tools for installation or removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity is oriented at an angle relative to the support surface, allowing the rod to be inserted from a different dimensional approach. The rod passes through the bottleneck area by tilting, utilizing angular movement to overcome the narrow passage and achieve secure clamping.
3Reliability
If the cavity bottleneck area is made narrower than the rod, then elastic deformation secures the rod firmly in place, but the insertion process becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The entry portion of the cavity is designed with a larger opening and favorable orientation to allow easy preliminary insertion of the rod. Once the rod is partially inserted, tilting it enables it to pass through the bottleneck area and be retained by the clamping portion without requiring complex insertion procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod insertion process utilizes dynamic tilting movement to pass through the bottleneck area. The rod is not simply pushed straight in but is tilted at an angle, allowing it to navigate the narrow passage and then locked in place by the elastic deformation of the support material.
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
Enables quick and effortless replacement of shaker rods, maintaining secure attachment during harvesting operations without the need for specialized tools.
Implementation Method 1
The fact that the bottleneck area is narrower than the rod implies that the passage of the rod through the bottleneck area involves an elastic deformation of the rod and/or of the material of the support in the vicinity of the bottleneck area
Implementation Method 2
The clamping portion is shaped and dimensioned to clamp the rod by a radial clamping force
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The present invention relates to a shaker assembly comprising a support (5,5') provided with at least one cavity (10) and at least one shaker rod (3) configured to be clamped into said cavity. The cavity comprises an entry portion (11) and a clamping portion (12), oriented along different angles and partly overlapping each other. The entry portion (11) is shaped and dimensioned to enable sliding the rod (3) into and out of said entry portion, while the clamping portion (12) is shaped and dimensioned to clamp the rod by a radial clamping force. The cavity (10) further comprises at least one bottleneck area (13) that is narrower than the shaker rod (3), enabling to move the rod from the entry portion (11) to the clamping portion (12) or vice versa by tilting the rod between said different angles, thereby forcing the rod to pass through said bottleneck area or areas (13).