Vine Uprooting Clamp With Segmented Jaws
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for uprooting and planting vine plants are inefficient, often requiring multiple interventions, causing soil compaction, incomplete root removal, and manual replanting, which are time-consuming and can lead to contamination and damage to trellising wires.
Innovation Solution
A clamp with articulated jaws and a hydraulic actuating member mounted on a mechanical machine, capable of moving between closed and open positions to loosen soil, grasp, and plant vine plants, allowing for complete root removal and efficient planting without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an auger with motorized bell is used to cut and remove vine roots, then the base of the vine can be removed, but the bell compacts the surrounding soil making it difficult for young plants to establish
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the root removal process into two functional parts: cutting teeth that sever roots and a bell that removes soil without compacting. The bell is designed with open sides or gaps that allow soil to be lifted and removed rather than compressed, separating the cutting function from the removal function to avoid the compaction problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The bell acts as an intermediary tool that captures and removes soil containing root fragments without directly compacting the surrounding ground. By using the bell as a mediating container that is lifted away from the ground, the harmful compaction effect is eliminated while still achieving complete root and soil removal.
2Reliability
If the auger bell is used to remove soil and plant material, then the base is removed, but a hole remains that struggles to fill naturally requiring additional soil and time
Solution Approach 1:
The device removes slightly more soil than strictly necessary (excessive action) to create a planting-ready hole in the process, eliminating the need for separate hole-filling operations. The bell's removal action naturally creates a cavity of appropriate size for immediate replanting.
3Ease of operation
If teeth are used to penetrate under vines and pull them out, then surface roots can be removed, but the teeth often only pull out surface roots leaving deeper roots in the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments root removal by using cutting teeth that actively sever roots at multiple depths rather than relying on a single pulling action. The teeth are positioned to cut both surface and deeper roots, dividing the root system into removable segments that can be extracted with the bell.
4Reliability
If multiple operations are performed (cutting upper part, then uprooting), then complete removal can be achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges the cutting function and uprooting function into a single integrated operation. The cutting teeth and bell work together in one motion to both sever roots and remove the plant material, eliminating the need for separate cutting and uprooting operations and significantly increasing productivity.
5Reliability
If manual replanting is performed, then plants can be planted, but the process is long and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges uprooting and planting operations into a single continuous action. As the bell removes the old plant material, the cavity is immediately ready for the new plant, and the device can be repositioned to plant the next seedling without interruption, eliminating tedious manual replanting operations.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a clamp (1) for uprooting and planting plants in the ground, particularly grapevines, intended to be mounted on an arm of a mechanical device. The clamp (1) comprises an actuating member and two jaws (101, 102) configured to be moved by said actuating member between a closed position, in which said jaws (101, 102) define an internal space (110), and at least one open position in which the jaws (101, 102) are spread apart in order to grasp a plant.