Tree Harvesting Tool With Robotic Arm On Movable Platform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tree harvesting methods for date palm trees are inefficient, particularly due to the physical strain of handling long poles, slow collection rates, and excessive fruit handling, which leads to damage and under/overutilization of laborers, and existing mechanization solutions are either slow or ineffective in accessing and collecting fruit from tall trees.
Innovation Solution
A tree harvesting tool with a cylindrical shell and robotic arm mounted on a movable platform, allowing for attachment to a lifter for encircling the tree trunk, performing various harvesting and pre-harvesting operations, including fruit bagging, with a fruit bagger option for secure collection and minimization of manual handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a long adjustable pole with a blade is used to harvest fruit from tall palms, then the cutter can reach higher fruit, but the physical strain increases and the operation becomes slower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of holding and maneuvering a long pole with a motorized robotic arm mounted on a mobile platform. The robotic arm can extend to reach tall palms and is controlled by the operator without requiring physical strength, thus substituting human mechanical effort with an automated mechanical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile platform serves as an intermediary between the operator and the tall palms. It carries the robotic arm and positioning system, allowing the operator to control harvesting from a seated position while the platform handles the physical work of reaching and positioning the cutting tool.
2Productivity
If manual collection by a second laborer is used, then fruit can be gathered from the ground, but the collection rate does not match the cutting rate causing labor under/overutilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the harvesting and collection functions into a single integrated system. The mobile platform with robotic arm both cuts the fruit and collects it in a container mounted on the platform, eliminating the need for a separate collection laborer and synchronizing the rates of harvesting and collecting.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm system performs multiple functions: it reaches tall palms, cuts the fruit, and collects it in the mounted container. This multi-functional system replaces multiple specialized laborers (cutter and collector) with a single operator controlling one device.
3Productivity
If fruit is handled multiple times during collection and transport, then it can be moved from field to mill, but fruit damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the collection function from the ground-based manual process and integrates it directly onto the harvesting platform. The fruit is collected once in the container mounted on the mobile platform and transported directly to the mill, removing it from the intermediate handling steps that cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs its own collection and transport function. The mobile platform with mounted container collects the fruit at the source and transports it itself, eliminating the need for separate collection and transport operations that involve multiple handling steps.
4Extent of automation
If existing mechanization options like mechanical buffalo or mini-tractor/grabber are used, then labor content is reduced, but they cannot quickly access or collect fruit from tall trees
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a mobile platform with a dynamic robotic arm that can quickly extend and reposition to access tall palms. The platform itself is mobile and can move quickly through the orchard, combining high-speed access with automated harvesting and collection capabilities that static or slow mechanized systems cannot achieve.
Data Source
AI summary
The tree harvesting tool is a tool adapted for attachment to a conventional lifter or lifting device for performing harvesting and pre-harvesting operations on a fruit tree. The tree harvesting tool includes a cylindrical shell, having an upper end and a lower end, at least one portion of the cylindrical shell defining a door. The cylindrical shell is adapted for encircling the trunk of the tree. A plurality of panels are pivotally secured to the lower end of the cylindrical shell to define an openable floor having a central opening for receiving the trunk of the tree. A circular track is mounted on the upper end of the cylindrical shell, such that a movable platform may be mounted thereon. A robotic arm is mounted on the movable platform for selectively operating and manipulating a tool for performing tree harvesting and pre-harvesting operations.