FRUIT-HARVESTING MACHINE

Abstract

A fruit harvesting machine that works continuously, meaning without stopping to unload the fruit, as the fruit can be unloaded automatically upon detection of a transfer vehicle, by means of hoppers (34) with ejection conveyor belts (35) which are activated only when the transfer vehicle is detected, including an extendable and sliding skid (38), which prevents a large part of the vibrating energy from being absorbed by the suspension and wheels of the vehicle, with a four-wheel drive, a movable cabin and total control of the machine from inside the cabin.

Claims

1. A self-propelled fruit harvesting machine for harvesting fruit from a tree by means of the action of a vibrator on the trunk of the tree when the presence of the tree trunk is detected by means of probes, the machine having two lateral frames between which there is a lower longitudinal opening for the passage of the tree as the machine moves, these two side frames being linked at the top by means of two parallel gantries, extended transversely and separated by a certain distance in longitudinal direction, the machine having dragging means, located inside respective longitudinal channels, to move the detached fruits towards the rear part of each of the side frames, wherein each of said frames has a folding character, characterized in that the dragging means of the side frames unload over lateral conveyor belts, which feed voluminous hoppers equipped with peelers at their entrance, in which the fruits are stored, so that they can be unloaded with the machine in motion through expulsion conveyor belts which include means of activation/unloading in the presence of a transfer vehicle, by means of a mechanical push button, optical, magnetic sensors or any other sensor without magnetic contact.

2. The fruit harvesting machine, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that between the dragging means of the lateral frames and the lateral conveyor belts de-stemmers are established in the form of a Ferris wheel, in which a series of rotating radial arms participate, determining means of expulsion of the fallen branches on said dragging means, as well as some ventilators for the elimination of the fallen leaves.

3. The fruit harvesting machine, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that in correspondence with the frame that includes the vibrator, the machine incorporates a sliding skid, extensible by means of a hydraulic system, susceptible of supporting in a sliding way on the ground in the movement/displacement of the machine, determining a means of transmission of the vibrations generated to the ground.

4. The fruit harvesting machine, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the cabin is movable between two limit positions and can be stabilized between any of the intermediate positions, being driven by an electric cylinder that can be controlled from inside the cabin by means of a lever.

5. The fruit harvesting machine, according to claim 1, characterized in that the cabin includes a control panel with means of control and programming of all the vibration and movement variables of the machine.

6. The fruit harvesting machine, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it includes hopper load sensors.

7. The fruit harvesting machine, according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes detectors of obstruction of the peelers.

8. The fruit harvesting machine, according to claim 1, characterized by including four-wheel drive.

9. The fruit harvesting machine, according to claim 1, characterized by including a fan for the radiator of the machine's engine, fan that has a rotation reversal system for the same.

10. The fruit harvesting machine, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that between the lateral conveyor belts and laterally to the de-stemmers in the form of a Ferris wheel, crossed steel bars are established that define a kind of access shield for the branches towards said lateral conveyor belts.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] In order to complement the description that will be made herein below and with the purpose of helping to a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferential example of practical realization of the same, a set of drawings is enclosed as an integral part of said description, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:

[0050] FIG. 1.Shows a perspective view of a fruit harvesting machine made in accordance with the object of the present invention.

[0051] FIG. 2.Shows a front elevation view of the machine in operational situation.

[0052] FIG. 3.Shows a profile view of the assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0053] FIG. 4.Shows a rear elevation view of the machine of FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0054] FIG. 5.Shows a front elevation view of the folded machine, in transport/storage situation, without the continuous unloading hoppers.

[0055] FIG. 6.Shows a profile view of the assembly of FIG. 5.

[0056] FIG. 7.Shows a perspective view of one of the hoppers with continuous unloading system participating in the device of the invention.

[0057] FIG. 8.It shows, finally, an opposite perspective view of the device of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0058] In view of the figures displayed, it can be seen how the harvesting machine of the invention is made up of two side frames (16, 17) separated from each other by an intermediate longitudinal opening of sufficient width to allow the passage of a trunk, of usual diameter, between both frames when the machine is moved during the harvesting operations of the fruits of a tree (not shown). Each of the side frames (16, 17) incorporates wheels (18) for its displacement (movement), each of the wheels having independent suspension means (19) on each wheel, which facilitates the adaptation of the machine to the irregularities of the ground and also the regulation of the height during transport.

[0059] The linkage between both side frames (16, 17) is made by means of gantries (20, 21), parallel to each other, extended according to the transverse direction of the machine and separated in longitudinal direction by a previously established distance. These gantries are conceived in the same manner, that each of them is comprised of four segments successively articulated among themselves. Reference is made to the gantry (20) for the purpose of description, two of the segments consist of vertical uprights (22), each of them fixed and emerging from each respective side frame (16, 17), and the other two segments referenced as (23), extend according to the upper horizontal direction in general, articulated respectively with the vertical uprights (22) at tilting points (24), and with each other by means of a tilting means in a central position. The same arrangement can be seen in relation to the gantry (21), for which the description is omitted in order to avoid unnecessary repetition.

[0060] On the other hand, each of the side frames (16, 17) of the machine of the invention includes, in a conventional manner, a longitudinally extended channel, in positions mutually facing those of both frames, inside of which a means of displacement of the harvested fruits is housed. These means of displacement of the harvested fruits consist of conveyor belts (27) specifically designed and finished to avoid damaging the detached fruits, which drag said fruits towards the rear part of the machine where some large capacity hoppers are located (34), which store the harvested fruits. The belts are laterally complemented with elastic sheets (28) that adapt to the contour of the tree trunk, and that act as deflectors of the fallen fruits towards the mentioned conveyor belts.

[0061] Additionally, the machine incorporates, as is usual, a cabin (29) from which an operator controls at all times the performance of the machine during the harvesting or moving operations, although, in the case of the present invention, this cabin (29) is not fixedly positioned but can be moved laterally on guides towards the outside and towards the inside by means of cylinders (not visible in the Figure). With this, the cabin (29) can adopt an interior position, corresponding to the transport position, meaning occupying the minimum possible width, and an exterior position, meaning displaced outwards from the machine, corresponding to the operating condition of said machine and therefore away from the passage space of the trees between both side frames (16, 17) in a way that it does not affect the tree branches.

[0062] In the representation of the figures of the cabin, (29) it appears located on the side frame (17), although this should not be understood as limiting since it could be located on the opposite side frame, as appropriate.

[0063] It is also conventional, the vibrator (30) is located on one of the sides of one of the side frames, in the present case on the side frame (16), being able to be coupled to the tree once the presence of the trunk is detected by means of probes (31), the action of the vibrator (30) being timed framed.

[0064] Said vibrator is movable along longitudinal guides, through a predetermined path, in the opposite direction to the movement of the machine, so that this movement/displacement occurs in synchrony with the machine with the vibrator (30) static in relation to the tree to which it is applied, during the period of time established by the timer device associated with said vibrator.

[0065] This action allows the machine to maintain a continuous operation, so that once the timing period has expired, the vibrator (30) is released from the tree to which it was applied and returns to its initial position, to start the cycle again when the machine reaches the position of a new tree detected by the probes (31).

[0066] FIGS. 5 and 6 show the machine in folding position, in which the upper segments (23) of the gantries (20, 21) have been successively folded with respect to the vertical uprights (22).

[0067] The folded condition shown in the figure allows to appreciate how the side frames (16, 17) are now in respectively adjoined positions, thereby reducing the width of the machine to minimum values.

[0068] As previously mentioned, each side frame includes a hopper (33) sized much larger than the hoppers of conventional machines, thus allowing a much higher storage capacity.

[0069] The conveyor belts (27) of each of the side channels, drag the fruits towards the rear end of the machine, wherein lateral conveyor belts (25) are established, which feed voluminous hoppers (34) in which the fruits are stored, prior to passing through peelers, so that the fruit can be discharged through expulsion conveyor belts (35) which are only activated in the presence of a transfer vehicle, either by means of a mechanical push button (36), optical or magnetic sensors, or any other sensor without magnetic contact.

[0070] Prior to the lateral conveyor belts (25), and in correspondence with the rear end of the conveyor belts (27), there are de-stemmers (39) in the form of a Ferris wheel, which, by means of rotating radial arms, expel the branches that have fallen on the conveyor belt, avoiding access to the hoppers (34), embodiment that is complemented with steel bars, crossed over the belts, arranged laterally to the de-stemmers (39) in the form of a Ferris wheel, defining a kind of shield that prevents the branches from accessing the conveyor belts.

[0071] Likewise, in this area there are fans (40) that expel the fallen leaves, also preventing them from reaching the aforementioned hoppers (34).

[0072] This makes it possible to offer a continuous and moving unloading system, synchronizing the movement of the transfer vehicle with the harvesting machine.

[0073] As for the radiator of the vehicle's engine, it has been foreseen that it incorporates a fan with a rotation reversal system that prevents the leaves from sticking to such radiator.

[0074] As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 6, in correspondence with the frame that includes the vibrator, the machine incorporates a sliding skid (38), extendable by means of a hydraulic system, which supports and slides on the ground, which allows the machine to continue moving, but largely prevents the vibrations generated by the vibrator from being absorbed by the suspension system and the wheels, as they are transmitted directly to the ground.

[0075] More specifically, this skid remains elevated during movement/displacement and a few seconds before starting to vibrate it lowers to the ground by exerting a hydraulic force against it, through a hydraulic cylinder (37), which gives greater structural rigidity to the assembly and prevents the tree roots from moving, so that it only flexes the trunk.