Robotic gripper harvesting system, and methods of harvesting produce
AssigneeFresh BioSystems, LLC
InventorsRobert J. Rossi, David B. Rossi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An exemplary harvester comprises a cutting and gripping unit, comprising: a top frame; a base ring structure; a plurality of supports arranged in a circular configuration to form a cage-like structure, wherein proximal ends of the plurality of supports are affixed to the top frame and distal ends of the plurality of supports are affixed to the base ring structure; a set of grippers connected to the top frame; a blade rotatably connected to the base ring structure, wherein the blade is configured to cut the produce while at least a part of the produce is enclosed within the plurality of supports and secured by the set of grippers.
Claims17
A harvester for harvesting a produce planted in a field, comprising:
- a cutting and gripping unit, comprising:
- a top plate;
- a base ring structure;
- at least three supports arranged in a circular configuration to form a cage-like structure, wherein proximal ends of the plurality of supports are directly affixed to the top plate and distal ends of the plurality of supports are directly affixed to the base ring structure;
- a set of grippers connected to the top plate, the set of grippers configured to come into contact with the produce after the cage-like structure encloses at least a portion of the produce;
- a blade mounted to the base ring structure and rotatably connected to the base ring structure, wherein the blade is configured to cut the produce while at least a part of the produce is enclosed within the plurality of supports and secured by the set of grippers;
- and
- a shaft extending through the top plate comprising:
- a distal end connected to the set of grippers and
- a proximal end comprising a stopper, wherein the stopper is enclosed in a bracket affixed to the top plate.
A method for harvesting a produce planted in a field using a harvester, wherein the harvester comprises a cutting and gripping unit, comprising:
- a top plate;
- a base ring structure;
- at least three supports arranged in a circular configuration to form a cage-like structure, wherein proximal ends of the plurality of supports are directly affixed to the top frame and distal ends of the plurality of supports are directly affixed to the base ring structure;
- a set of grippers connected to the top plate, the set of grippers configured to come into contact with the produce after the cage-like structure encloses at least a portion of the produce;
- a blade mounted to the base ring structure and rotatably connected to the base ring structure;
- and a shaft extending through the top plate comprising:
- a distal end connected to the set of grippers and a proximal end comprising a stopper, wherein the stopper is enclosed in a bracket affixed to the top plate;
- the method comprising:
- determining a location of the produce;
- positioning a harvester based on the determined location of the produce;
- lowering the harvester to enclose at least a portion of the produce within the cage-like structure;
- after enclosing at least the portion of the produce within the cage-like structure, securing the produce via the set of grippers;
- and
- activating the blade to cut the produce while the produce is secured via the set of grippers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.