Hydraulic Gripper Mechanism for Vineyard Wire Displacement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for displacing movable wires in vineyards require significant manual labor and can damage vegetation, with existing automated solutions causing yield reduction due to mechanical harm.

Innovation Solution

A mechanized apparatus mounted on a farm vehicle, featuring a frame with gripping elements and hydraulic actuation, allows for the orthogonal displacement of movable wires with minimal manual intervention and safeguards foliage, operating in both automatic and semi-automatic modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual chain-based fastening method is used to displace movable wires, then the wires can be repositioned, but significant manual labor and time are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of wire repositioningVSAvoidworking time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated mechanical system comprising a tractor-mounted frame, hydraulic actuators, and gripping elements that automatically displace movable wires along guiding elements, eliminating the need for manual chain handling and significantly reducing labor time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service operation where the automated apparatus performs wire displacement without requiring operators to manually handle chains or position wires, with the hydraulic system and gripping mechanisms autonomously completing the repositioning task

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If elastic compensation device is used to reduce manual work, then single person operation is possible, but substantial manual work remains for releasing and fastening wires

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual work reductionVSAvoidfastening mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the elastic compensation device's partial automation with a complete automated mechanical system using hydraulic actuators and gripping elements that automatically perform both the release and repositioning of wires, eliminating the substantial manual fastening work that remained with elastic devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs hydraulic actuators mounted on the tractor frame to provide automated mechanical force for displacing the movable wires along the guiding elements, replacing the manual operations and elastic compensation mechanisms with fluid-powered automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Ease of operation

If sliding guides with manual placement are used, then wire displacement is simplified, but manual release and placement operations remain laborious

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewire displacement simplificationVSAvoidrepositioning efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual sliding guide operations with an automated system where hydraulic actuators drive gripping elements along guiding elements, automatically completing the wire repositioning task and eliminating laborious manual release and placement operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically displacing the movable wires through the coordinated action of hydraulic actuators and gripping elements without requiring manual intervention for release or placement operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Extent of automation

If rotating elements are used for automatic repositioning, then manual labor is reduced, but vegetation damage occurs reducing yield

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic repositioningVSAvoidvegetation damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rotating element mechanisms with a linear hydraulic actuation system that moves gripping elements along guiding elements in a controlled manner, providing automated repositioning without the rotational contact that causes vegetation damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces guiding elements as intermediaries between the hydraulic actuators and the movable wires, allowing the wires to be displaced along a defined path without direct contact from rotating parts, thereby protecting the vegetation while maintaining automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 apparatus significantly reduces manual labor and minimizes vegetation damage, enabling efficient and precise repositioning of movable wires across extensive vineyard rows while maintaining fruit production yields.

Implementation Method 1

a first hydraulic actuator (34) for displacing the frame (1), and a second hydraulic actuator (21) for displacing the gripping elements (15)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic actuation: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentUS9402352B2Apparatus for the mechanized displacement of movable wires on a row of plants and relative process of operation

Publication Date: 2016.08.02 BORTOLUSSI CLAUDIO

AI summary

An apparatus for the mechanized displacement of movable wires arranged on opposite sides of a row of plants, in particular grapevines, includes a frame suitable to be removably mounted on a farm vehicle, the frame being provided with a mover configured to move the movable wires. The apparatus is characterized in that the mover includes a pair of opposite gripping elements, each of which being suitable to slidingly receive one of the movable wires, the gripping elements being movable in a sequential and synchronized manner along at least two orthogonal axes so as to displace the movable wires from a first height to a second height.