Vine Branch Extraction Machine Downward Pulling Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for removing cut vine branches in Guyot pruning systems face challenges such as high stress on tying wires, risk of wire breakage, and increased accident risk due to weight offset, as well as inefficiency and high costs, particularly when trying to extract branches upwards.
Innovation Solution
A vine branch pulling machine that extracts cut branches downwards using a flexible feeding disk and rollers with chevron-shaped ribs to grip and remove branches without damaging the fruit-bearing branches, reducing the need for significant force and minimizing stress on the tying wires, and is designed to work with the existing Guyot pruning system without requiring extensive modifications to the vineyard infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If vine branches are pulled upwards from the tying wires, then extraction can be performed, but high stress is applied to the tying wires causing breakage and machine standstill
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the extraction direction from upward pulling to downward pulling. The extraction device is positioned above the tying wires and pulls branches downward, reversing the conventional approach. This inversion eliminates the V-shape conflict where upward pulling directs wires into branch ramifications, and prevents high stress on tying wires that causes breakage and machine standstill.
2Productivity
If extraction forces are increased to remove branches from tying wires, then branches can be extracted, but tying wires and posts are damaged leading to machine standstill
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the extraction direction to pull downward, the patent achieves effective branch removal without requiring excessive forces that would damage tying wires and posts. The downward pulling direction naturally separates branches from the tying system without creating the high-stress conditions that lead to infrastructure damage and machine standstill.
3Ease of operation
If the machine is positioned above the row for upward extraction, then branches can be pulled, but weight offset increases accident risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts both the extraction direction and machine positioning. Instead of positioning the machine above the row for upward extraction, the machine is positioned below the row to perform downward extraction. This inversion eliminates the high weight offset that creates accident risks while maintaining effective branch extraction capability.
4Ease of manufacture
If manual extraction is used to remove individual branches, then precise control is achieved, but time consumption and labor costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated extraction that performs the removal function without continuous manual intervention. The extraction device automatically engages with branches, pulls them downward, and removes them from the tying system, eliminating the need for manual extraction of each individual branch while maintaining control over the extraction process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical extraction process with an automated mechanical extraction device. The device uses controlled mechanical forces to pull branches downward, substituting human labor and time-consuming manual operations with an automated system that achieves the same extraction function more efficiently.
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 machine effectively reduces the effort required for vine branch removal, minimizes damage to the vineyard infrastructure, preserves fruit-bearing branches, and lowers operational costs and energy consumption, while ensuring safe and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
A vine branch pulling machine (101) that extracts cut branches downwards using a flexible feeding disk (119) and rollers with chevron-shaped ribs to grip and remove branches
Implementation Method 2
rollers with chevron-shaped ribs to grip and remove branches
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~8
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A machine (101) for pulling off plant branches (64, 65; 233), in particular vine branches, of tying wires (58-62) to which they cling by tendrils comprising a combination of means capable to extract the branches (64, 65; 233) downwards. Preferably, the combination of means comprises a (resiliently pivoted) pressing member (119) and a pulling member (139) facing the pressing member (119). In operation, the pulling member (139) is moving so that its surface oriented towards the pressing member (119) moves downwards. Cut-off branches (64, 65; 233) are pressed on this surface by the pressing member (119) by a force sufficient that the branches (64, 65; 233) are dragged downwardly along and are forcibly detached from the tying wires (58-62) thereby. The downward removal corresponds to the about V-shaped ramifications of the plant, so that it is effected more easily and without obstruction by the ramifications which tend to get caught by the tying wires (58-62) when removal occurs upwards. Furthermore, a branch not cut-off (66; 235) and tied to the trellis wire (58-62) withstands the pressing member provided a suitable adjusted resilient pressing force is selected, supported by the pressing member consisting of a resilient material like an elastomer. In consequence, such a branch (66, 235) will not suffer any contact, or at least a minimal contact only, with the pulling device.