Sod Harvester Stacking Head Rotation for Faster Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sod harvesters are limited in operating speed due to the time required for the stacking head to move between pick up and stacking positions, which restricts the rate at which sod can be removed from the conveyor and stacked, leading to lower harvesting yields.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a sod harvester with a stacking conveyor that rotates to advance sod slabs to multiple pick up positions and employing a stacking head that can move between these positions to optimize sod removal and stacking, allowing for variable conveyor speeds based on the stacking position, thereby minimizing the total time required for stacking operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the stacking head moves between multiple pick up positions to optimize sod removal, then the rate of sod removal increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverate of sod removalVSAvoidstacking head configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stacking head is divided into multiple pick up positions (first pick up position and second pick up position) that can operate independently or in sequence. This segmentation allows the stacking head to service multiple locations on the stacking conveyor, increasing the overall rate of sod removal by preventing idle time between stacking operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stacking head is configured to be movable between different pick up positions rather than being fixed at a single location. This dynamic capability allows the stacking head to optimize its position based on the location of sod slabs on the conveyor, enabling continuous operation and increasing productivity without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If the stacking conveyor rotates faster to advance sod slabs, then the harvesting speed increases, but the time required for stacking operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting speedVSAvoidstacking operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The stacking conveyor is configured to advance sod slabs to specific pick up positions in advance of when the stacking head needs to remove them. By controlling the rotation speed and positioning slabs proactively at the appropriate locations, the system minimizes waiting time and ensures continuous stacking operations without sacrificing harvesting speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system controls the rotation of the stacking conveyor based on the position and timing requirements of the stacking head operations. By monitoring the stacking operations and adjusting the conveyor rotation accordingly, the system optimizes the transfer of sod slabs to pick up positions, ensuring that slabs are available when needed without creating bottlenecks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10155632B2Removing sod from a stacking conveyor

Publication Date: 2018.12.18 FIREFLY ROBOTICS INC

AI summary

Sod harvester stacking head and stacking conveyor configurations can increase the rate at which sod can be harvested. The movement of the stacking head and/or the stacking conveyor can be controlled to maximize the rate at which the stacking head can remove sod from the stacking conveyor. A stacking head can employ multiple pick up positions. A stacking conveyor may also advance sod for pick up at varying rates. A stacking head may include a pivoting connection to allow the stacking head to rotate around a pivot during a pick up operation.