Downward Sloping Plant Support for Leaf Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for removing leaves from plants are inefficient for large plants, requiring them to be cut into pieces and have low throughput speeds, as they are designed for horizontal placement which increases processing time and reduces leaf protrusion through the grating.
Innovation Solution
A device with a downward extending support surface and adjustable cutting devices that allow for varying angles and positions to accommodate different plant sizes, enabling easier leaf removal and increased throughput by reducing slumping and allowing for a second cutting device to be used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the support surface is placed horizontally, then the device structure is simple and easy to operate, but the leaves will come to lie close together due to their own weight, reducing leaf protrusion through the grating and increasing processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface is inverted from a horizontal position to a downward-sloping position (at an angle of 10-70 degrees relative to the ground surface). This inversion causes leaves to naturally slide downward along the slope, increasing their protrusion through the grating and reducing the need for manual manipulation, thereby increasing processing speed while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The angle of the support surface is changed from 0 degrees (horizontal) to an optimized range of 10-70 degrees. This parameter change optimizes the balance between ease of operation and processing efficiency by allowing leaves to slide down naturally while keeping the device structure relatively simple and easy to operate
2Device complexity
If a single cutting device is used, then the device structure is simple, but the throughput speed is low and only a small quantity of plants can be processed per unit of time
Solution Approach 1:
Two cutting devices are merged into a single device structure, with both cutting devices positioned to work simultaneously on plants placed on the downward-sloping support surface. This combination doubles the processing capacity and throughput speed while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through the shared support structure
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting devices are arranged in a spatial configuration that utilizes the downward slope dimension, allowing both cutting devices to operate simultaneously at different positions along the slope. This dimensional arrangement enables parallel processing of multiple plants without significantly increasing device complexity
3Stability of the object's composition
If the plant is placed horizontally on the support surface, then the plant structure is stable, but the leaves will come to lie close together due to gravity, making it difficult for leaves to protrude through the grating
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface is inverted from horizontal to a downward slope, which reverses the gravitational effect on leaves. Instead of leaves lying close together, they naturally slide downward and protrude through the grating, significantly improving leaf removal efficiency while the plant remains stable on the sloped surface
Solution Approach 2:
The angle parameter of the support surface is changed from 0 degrees to 10-70 degrees, which optimizes the balance between plant stability and leaf protrusion. This parameter change ensures plants remain stable enough for processing while maximizing leaf separation and protrusion through the grating
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 device effectively removes leaves from plants of varying sizes with reduced processing time and increased efficiency by minimizing slumping and allowing for adjustable angles and positions, enhancing throughput and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The downward arrangement of the support surface reduces this problem since the component of the force of gravity perpendicularly of the support surface will be smaller than in the case of a purely horizontal placing
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (1) and method for removing leaves from a plant. According to the invention, the device (1) comprises a downward extending and elongate support surface (2) for supporting the plant and a pair of cutting devices (3) disposed on either side of the support surface (2), wherein each cutting device (3) comprises a rotatable blade assembly (7) and a grating (4), which is disposed between the blade assembly (7) and the support surface (2).