CONTINUOUS VIBRATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING FRUITS FROM TREES AND BUSHES

Abstract

A device being made up of respective frames, mounted in parallel and facing each other on both sides of the line of trees/bushes to be harvested, in a machine or implement capable of moving astride above said line of trees/bushes. Each of said frames includes a longitudinal guide along which skids move for conveying a trolley that bears a vibration clamp, the jaws of which open and close independently depending on the location thereof relative to the closest tree, at the same time that each trolley moves alternately from a forward position relative to the movement of the machine or implement on which this device is mounted to another more rearward position, while the vibration clamp is holding a tree and is subjecting same to vibration, and returns to the forward position when the tree is beyond the possible travel of said trolley along the linear guide.

Claims

1. A continuous vibration device for collecting fruits from trees and/or bushes, the continuous vibration device comprising: respective frames, mounted in parallel and facing each other on both sides of the line of trees and/or bushes to be harvested, in a machine or implement capable of moving astride above said line of trees or bushes, wherein each of said frames comprises: at least one longitudinal guide along which skids move for conveying a trolley that bears a vibration clamp move, said trolley, that bears said vibration clamp, which moves alternately from a forward position relative to the movement of the machine or implement on which said device is mounted to another more rearward position, while the vibration clamp is holding a tree and is subjecting same to vibration, and returns to the forward position in a case that the tree is beyond a possible travel of said trolley along the linear guide, and said vibration clamp that has securing means on the trolley, a vibration drive motor and opening and closing means for opening and closing two jaws completely independent of each other, so that in a case that the more rearward jaw with respect to the forward direction of the machine closes first, waiting for the tree to be vibrated to collide with it before the second more forward jaw closes, or opening both while the trolley returns to the forward position of the linear guide on which it moves.

2. The continuous vibration device, according to claim 1, wherein each of the trolleys has a drive motor that causes its movement along the longitudinal guide, moving a pinion that engages with a rack parallel to said guide, the motor acting only in the direction that moves the trolley to the more forward position until the vibration clamp holds the tree that must be vibrated, said tree, together with the movement of the machine or implement on which the device is mounted, being that which makes the trolley move backward until the vibration clamp releases the tree in cultivation.

3. The continuous vibration device, according to claim 2, wherein the two jaws that make up each of the clamps are driven by respective cylinders and are hinged on the structure of the clamp, so that both jaws close and open completely independently, with either of them being aligned and parallel to the line of trees to be harvested when open, and in a position perpendicular to the crop line when closed.

4. The continuous vibration device, according to claim 3, comprising a sensor that detects when the next tree in the line that is being harvested strikes the jaw that is more rearward with respect to the forward direction of the machine, which is in a closed position, at which time a control device orders the other more forward jaw to close in order to trap the tree between both jaws of the clamp that is in front of the clamp of the adjacent frame.

5. The continuous vibration device, according to claim 4, comprising sensors mounted on the guide that indicate the position of each of the mobile trolleys at all times in order to determine the moment of opening the two jaws of the clamp located in the more rearward position with respect to the forward direction of the machine, or so that collision does not occur between both clamps.

6. The continuous vibration device, according to claim 5, wherein each of the vibration clamps mounts on one of its jaws, a motor that drives eccentric masses that produce the vibration necessary for the fruit to fall from the tree that is held by the clamp; said motor being inserted horizontally into the rear of said jaw.

7. The continuous vibration device, according to claim 6, wherein each of the vibration clamps is secured by its rear to its corresponding trolley by means of rubber cylinders, while in the front it is fastened by a cable or chain, so that they float on the mobile trolley so as to not transmit vibrations to the frames or to the machine on which said device is installed.

8. The continuous vibration device, according to claim 7, comprising harvested fruit collection bands that are located above the device so that the fruits are collected without interfering with its operation.

9. A method for harvesting the fruits from trees and bushes, wherein the vibration is performed by means of said continuous vibration device according to claim 1 formed by two vibrating clamps, arranged on both sides of the line of trees to be harvested, which vibrate alternate trees in said crop line.

10. The method, according to claim 9, wherein the vibration of the trees by both clamps at some point is performed simultaneously by both vibrating clamps.

11. The method, according to claim 9, wherein the vibration of the trees by both clamps is performed alternately by one vibrating clamp or the other.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] As a complement to the description provided herein, and for the purpose of helping to make the features of the invention more readily understandable, the present specification is accompanied by a set of drawings which, by way of illustration and not limitation, represent the following:

[0024] FIG. 1 represents the device of the present invention in a general perspective view.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a view of one of the guides (3) of this device.

[0026] FIGS. 3-4 correspond to respective top and bottom views of one of the trolleys (4) of this device.

[0027] FIGS. 5-7 are views in different positions of one of the clamps (5) of this device.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a detailed view of one of the frames (1, 2) that make up the device of the invention.

[0029] FIGS. 9.1 to 9.8 represent a complete operating sequence of this device in plan view.

[0030] FIG. 10 shows a multipurpose machine for cultivating trees (21) on which the device of the invention has been mounted.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the continuous vibration device for collecting fruits is formed by two frames (1, 2) on each of which a linear guide system (3) having respective vibration clamps (5) that move longitudinally on these frames has been mounted; in such a way that these clamps (5) can open or close their jaws (16) in a certain sequence and transmit the vibration to the trees or bushes located in a line in order to collect their ripe fruits.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows the linear guide system of each frame (1, 2) made up of a rigidly welded structure that defines longitudinal guides (3) that are located parallel to the movement of the device as it moves forward along both sides of a row of trees. Running along said guides (3) are skids (6) that secure the mobile trolley (4) to which the vibration clamps (5) are fastened, in which a pinion (10) that engages with a rack (7) is arranged in order to, by means of a motor (9) arranged in the trolley (4) itself, move the same along the guide (3) on which it is mounted. Rubber stops (8) located at the ends of said guide absorb the possible impacts of the mobile trolley (4) at the end of the travel.

[0033] FIG. 3 represents the structure of the mobile trolley that is used to move the vibration clamps (5). This trolley is made up of a set of welded parts into which the skids (6) are screwed and the vibration clamp (5) is fixed by means of rubber cylinders (14), which stem-shaft is threaded into the structure of the trolley (4) and by means of a hitch (11) for a front chain (18), in such a way that the clamp (4) is not rigidly attached, but it does not transmit the vibration to the frame or to the machine where the invention is installed.

[0034] The clamp (5) also has the peculiarity that the jaws (16) have independent movements, so that each jaw (16) can open or close separately in order to wait for the tree and be able to start the vibration. The jaws are driven by a system of connecting rods moved by a hydraulic cylinder (12, 13), in such a way that the rear jaw can turn by closing at 90, perpendicular to the line of trees to be harvested, so that it can trap the tree when the machine bearing this device moves forward, and then the more forward jaw closes to hold the tree and start the vibration. Both jaws (16) are opened and aligned, forming an approximate angle of 180 to allow the more rearward clamp to move forward until it passes the other clamp that is vibrating a tree in order to be placed in a waiting position for the next tree in the crop line.

[0035] To perform the vibration, one of the jaws incorporates a motor (15) that drives eccentric masses also located on the inside of one of the jaws (16). The frequency of this vibration can be adjusted in speed, weight and rotation inversion, depending on the fruit to be collected. As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the motor (15) is a hydraulic motor that is integrated inside one of the jaws in such a way that the assembly of the clamp (5) in height only has the very height of the holding jaws.

[0036] FIGS. 5-7 show isometric views of the vibration clamp (5) in its three main positions: completely open, in a waiting position for the tree to be vibrated, and closed. It should be noted that each of these jaws is made up of rectangular rubber blocks that embrace the tree when it is trapped and prevent damage to the bark.

[0037] In FIG. 6, the clamp (5) has one of its jaws (16) perpendicular to the direction of movement of the device, so that when the tree strikes said jaw, a sensor (not shown), either installed on the jaw itself or installed on the guide (3) on which the trolley (4) moves, detects that the tree has struck the jaw or that the trolley (4) has moved, and gives the order to close the other more forward jaw and begin the vibration sequence. This shaking is transferred to the secured tree and the fruit falls in this way. The vibration is completely adjustable, depending on the weights incorporated into the eccentric, the speed of movement and the rotation inversion.

[0038] FIG. 8 shows an isometric view that includes one of the complete frames (1, 2), with its guide (3), its mobile trolley (4) and its vibration clamp (5). This image shows the cable and hose scissors (19) that has been developed to connect the hydraulic and electrical elements with the machine or implement on which this device is mounted. These scissors are made up of two pieces joined by a hinge that allows it to rotate as the trolley moves. The figure also shows rails into which sensors (20) are incorporated, which indicate the longitudinal position of each of the mobile trolleys (4) at all times so that there is no collision between both, or between the clamps (5) that each of them bears.

[0039] The point of travel of the clamp (5) at which it must stop vibrating the tree and open its jaws (16) can be established by means of a limit switch placed on the corresponding guide (3) or by programming based on the time elapsed in the movement.

[0040] Finally, FIG. 10 shows the continuous vibration device for collecting fruits, mounted on the multipurpose machine described in document ES1265465U, which has been specially designed to work astride over a line of trees or bushes.

[0041] The vibration sequence is shown in FIG. 9, which shows how the line of trees is located between the two frames (1, 2) that make up the device of the invention. First, the clamp (P1) located in the more forward position with respect to the forward direction (indicated with an arrow in FIG. 9) has the more rearward jaw (M1) closed until it strikes the first tree to be vibrated (A1). Once this tree has been struck, a sensor detects it and closes the more forward jaw (M2) and the vibration of this tree (A1) begins. Meanwhile, the clamp (P2) located in the more rearward position has its two jaws (M1, M2) open and begins its movement towards the more forward position as its trolley (4) moves along the corresponding guide (3). (See FIGS. 9.1 and 9.2).

[0042] Since the forward movement of the device is continuous, the clamp (P1) remains holding the tree (A1) and vibrating it until said tree leaves the space of the device, while the clamp (P2) that already reached the more forward position first closes its more rearward jaw (M1) and once the second tree (A2) strikes it, the more forward jaw (M2) closes on it and begins to vibrate it. (See FIGS. 9.3 and 9.4). In this case, given the proximity between the trees at a given moment, the vibration of two trees occurs at the same time; however, if they were further apart, only one would vibrate at a given time.

[0043] When the first clamp (P1) reaches the end of its travel, it opens and releases the tree (A1) that had brought it there while it vibrated said tree. For its part, the second clamp (P2) continues to accompany and vibrate the second tree (A2). (FIG. 9.5).

[0044] Next, the first clamp (P1), with its jaws (M1, M2) open, moves to the forward portion of the device, while the second clamp (P2) continues vibrating the tree (A2) (See FIG. 9.6).

[0045] FIG. 9.7 shows the more forward clamp (P1) in the same position as at the beginning, arranged to receive a third tree (A3), while the clamp (P2) continues vibrating the tree (A2) or is about to release it and open its jaws (M1, M2) to be able to return to the forward position without hitting the clamp (P1) that is pulled in the opposite direction by the tree (A3). (See FIG. 9.8).

[0046] This cycle repeats itself indefinitely, without a single tree to be vibrated remaining in the crop line. Depending on the planting pattern, it will be necessary to adjust the return speed of both clamps (P1, P2) so that they do not collide with each other, since the forward speed while they vibrate the corresponding tree is equal to the forward speed of the device or the machine that supports it. The sensors (20) measure the position of the two clamps at all times and if they enter the impact area, the device would open both clamps and, if necessary, it would stop.

[0047] Having described the nature of the invention, as well as a preferred exemplary embodiment, it is obvious that the invention is industrially applicable in the indicated sector.

[0048] Likewise, it is hereby stated for all appropriate purposes that the materials, shape, size, and arrangement of the described elements can be modified, provided that this does not entail altering the essential features of the invention claimed below: