Rotating Guide Roller for Vine Shoot Detachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for removing plant parts from elongate, tension-stable, limp growth aids, such as ropes or wires, face challenges due to irregular growth patterns and stable connections, leading to complex and error-prone manual operations, with potential damage to the growth aids and interruptions in the workflow.
Innovation Solution
A device with a growth aid guide and a detachment unit featuring a rotatable guide roller and motor-driven detachment elements, along with motor-driven insertion aids, to facilitate smooth guidance and detachment of plant parts while minimizing mechanical stress on the growth aid, ensuring efficient and reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a motor-driven pre-cutter is used to separate vine shoots, then the shoots can be separated from the vine plant, but a large number of severed vine shoots remain attached to the growth aid due to entanglement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (the removal device with rotating elements and guide rollers) that acts as a mediator between the growth aid with entangled shoots and the final removed state. This intermediary mechanism systematically disentangles and removes plant parts without requiring complex manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables self-service by automatically removing plant parts through its rotating elements that actively seek out and detach entangled shoots from the growth aid, eliminating the need for complex manual intervention after the initial cutting.
2Ease of operation
If manual removal of plant parts is performed, then all plant parts can be removed from the growth aid, but the operation is complex and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual mechanical operations with an automated mechanical system featuring rotating elements, guide rollers, and a moving device that systematically performs the removal function, reducing operational complexity while maintaining completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the operational parameters by using controlled rotation speeds, systematic movement along the growth aid, and adjustable detachment forces to achieve complete removal through a standardized, simple process rather than complex manual manipulation.
3Ease of operation
If the growth aid is guided by fixed mechanical means, then the growth aid can be controlled during processing, but mechanical abrasion can cause tearing of the growth aid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the guide rollers rotatable rather than fixed, allowing them to adapt to the growth aid's movement and reduce friction. The rotating elements actively follow the growth aid's path, minimizing mechanical stress and abrasion while maintaining guidance control.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rollers perform periodic rotation as they guide the growth aid through the device, creating a rhythmic, gentle guiding action that reduces continuous friction and mechanical damage compared to fixed rigid guidance systems.
4Productivity
If detachment elements are arranged on a rotatable shaft, then plant parts can be detached during rotation, but damage to the growth aid may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rollers serve as intermediaries between the rotating detachment elements and the growth aid, cushioning and distributing the mechanical interaction to prevent concentrated damage while maintaining effective detachment through the rotational motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The device controls detachment parameters by adjusting rotation speed, element configuration, and engagement force to achieve effective plant part removal while staying below the threshold that would cause growth aid damage, optimizing the balance between productivity and safety.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (1) is proposed for removing plant parts from at least one elongated, tensile-resistant, flexible growth support (2) during movement of the device (1) along the growth support (2), in particular for removing vine shoots from at least one trellis wire, comprising: - a growth support guide for guiding the growth support (2) during movement of the device (1) along the growth support (2), - a release unit (4), and - a plant guidance unit (7) for compressing and/or feeding the plant parts adhering to the growth support (2) to the release unit (4), which release unit (4) comprises at least one release element, which release element is movably arranged on the device (1) such that, during operation, plant parts can be at least partially detached from the growth support (2) by movement of the release element, and which release element is arranged on a shaft (5).which shaft is rotatable by means of a motor drive of the device, which is characterized in that the growth aid guide comprises at least one guide roller (3a) for the growth aid, which guide roller (3a) is rotatably arranged relative to the shaft, wherein the guide roller (3a) and the shaft have a common axis of rotation.