TITLE OF THE DISCLOSURE: A SYSTEM FOR AGITATION OF ROOT CROPS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for agitating root crops, said system being configured to break debris like mud clots into smaller pieces while conveying the root crops on the conveyor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Harvesting of root crops that predominantly grow underground is done either manually or mechanically by using harvester. Upon harvest a considerable quantity of stem, dirt, clods, rocks and other such debris clings to them. In addition, root crops are damage-prone and must be handled carefully. The main challenge is to increase the productivity (acres/hour) with minimal damage to the root crops and at the same time reduce the number of personnel used. Hence, the root crop separation is an important process after harvesting the root crops to reduce the wastage. None of the conventional mechanisms have yielded satisfactory results without damaging the crops.

There is therefore a need in the art for a mechanism that cleans harvested root crops without damaging the crops with high productivity and less man power.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the support structure of the agitating system.
Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the conveyor belt assembly of the agitating system.

Figures 3a and 3b show two different arrangements for associating the plurality of conveyor rods onto the Conveyor belt.

Figure 4 shows a first alternate embodiment of the system for agitation of root crops.

Figure 5 shows a second alternate embodiment of the system for agitation of root crops.

Figure 6 shows the support structure of the agitating system with the first alternate embodiment of the system for agitation of root crops.

Figure 7 shows the support structure of the agitating system with the second alternate embodiment of the system for agitation of root crops.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Throughout this specification, the use of the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising" may imply the inclusion of an element or elements not specifically recited.

A system for agitation of root crops comprises a support structure (100) onto which a conveyor belt assembly (200) is removably attached. As depicted in Figure 1, an embodiment of the support structure (100) comprises a main frame assembly (101) and a plurality of plummer blocks (102), including a first plummer block, a second plummer block, and a third plummer block. The first plummer block is associated with a conveyor drive shaft (103) about which a plurality of sprockets (104) are capable of rotating. Preferably, there are two sprockets. The second plummer block is associated with an agitation mechanism, preferably a cam roller shaft block (105), and a vibrator shaft (106) about which a plurality of elliptical double throw cams (107) are capable of rotating. Preferably, there are two elliptical double throw cams. The third plummer block is associated with a roller shaft (111) about which a guiding roller (108) is capable of rotating. Further, the support structure (100) comprises a cam driving assembly (109) comprising a plurality of pulleys about which a drive belt is capable of rotating, a motor (112) and a belt tensioner (110) that keeps the drive belt under a state of tension. The pulleys are configured so as to improve traction and reduce noise. Preferably, there are two pulleys. The drive belt is preferably a V-belt. The motor (112) can be a hydraulic motor, an electric motor, a mechanical drive or the like. The motor (112) provides drive to the cam drive assembly (109) and conveyor belt assembly (200), wherein the conveyor belt assembly (200) receives the drive from the motor (112) via conveyor drive shaft (103) and plurality of sprockets (104).

The main frame assembly (101) comprises a plurality of vertical shaft sets and a plurality of horizontal rods. Each shaft set comprises a plurality of vertical shafts that are connected by a horizontal rod. Preferably, there are two shaft sets, a first shaft set comprising a first shaft and a second shaft, and a second shaft set comprising a third shaft and a fourth shaft. The first shaft and the second shaft and connected by a first rod, while the third and the fourth shaft are connected by a second rod.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the conveyor belt assembly (200), said conveyor belt assembly (200) comprising a plurality of parallel conveyor rods (202), wherein each rod is riveted onto a conveyor belt (204) by a first plurality of rivet heads (203) and a second plurality of rivet heads (206) that are placed opposite to the first plurality of rivet heads (203), and at least two clamps (201) for holding the conveyor belt (204) in its place. The clamps are preferably U-shaped and can be removed for straightening the conveyor belt (204) (for cleaning and maintenance). The plurality of conveyor rods (202) are covered with a protection layer on its surface. The protection layer is preferably of rubber. The conveyor belt assembly (200) further comprises a plurality of belt strips (205), which are configured at an inner side of the conveyor belt (204) to avoid loosening of the first plurality of rivet heads (203) and the second plurality of rivet heads (206). The plurality of belt strips (205) are used to fasten the conveyor rods (202) with the conveyor belt (204) by the first plurality of rivet heads (203) and the second plurality of rivet heads (206). The plurality of belt strips (205) prevent the plurality of conveyor rods (202) from getting damaged while riveting or impact load during field operation and also provide uniform load distribution while riveting. The plurality of belt strips (205) are preferably made up of sheet metal or alloy material with required thickness.

The riveting of the plurality of conveyor rods (202) onto the conveyor belt (204) is illustrated in Figure 3a. Alternatively, the plurality of conveyor rods (202) can also be removably attached to the conveyor belt (204) by a bolt (301) and nut (302) arrangement (Figure 3b).

During operation of the system, the plurality of elliptical double throw cams (107) cause the Conveyor belt (204) to move vertically up and down for every revolution of the vibrator shaft (106). This causes the root crops passing through the system to be agitated. Preferably, the conveyor belt (204) is displaced vertically by 15-25 mm. The plurality of elliptical double throw cams may all be in the same orientation with respect to one another, or may possess an angular offset of 30,45, 60,90 or 120 degrees with respect to one another (this angular offset leads to more effective agitation and a wavy conveying action).

In an alternate embodiment, a two roller block (115), as shown in Figure 4, is used as the agitator mechanism instead of the cam roller shaft block (105) and in an another alternate embodiment, a four roller block (120), as shown in Figure 5, is used as the agitator mechanism.

The two roller block (115) comprises two rollers (115a and 115b) and two side plates (116a and 116b) whereas the four roller block comprises four rollers (115a, 115b, 115c and 115d) and four side plates (116a,116b, 116c and 116d). Each side plate comprises a respective pivot point (117), respect to which the plurality of rollers rotate. Figure 6 illustrates the support structure of the agitating system with the two roller block (115) as the agitation mechanism. Figure 7 illustrates the support structure of the agitating system with the four roller block (115) as the agitation mechanism.
The plurality of rollers may be of any shape. In an embodiment, the plurality of rollers are square shaped. In another embodiment, the plurality of rollers are rectangular shaped. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of rollers are cylindrical shaped. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of rollers are hexagonal shaped. The plurality of rollers are made up of any suitable material such as steel, steel with rubber coating, nylon, natural rubber, synthetic rubber or aluminium.

During operation of the system, the plurality of rollers cause the conveyor belt to move vertically up and down for every revolution of the vibrator shaft. This causes the root crops passing through the system to be agitated.

The agitating system disclosed can be used with all root crops, but works best with potatoes. The drive belt and the conveyor belt (204) are preferably made up of nylon, rubber, or similar materials. The plurality of conveyor rods (202) are made up of any suitable metal or metal alloy such as stainless steel or iron.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the above description is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting. Various modifications, additions, alterations, and improvements without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the invention may be made by a person skilled in the art.

claim:

1. A system for agitation of root crops, comprising:
(a) a support structure (100), said supporting structure comprising:
(i) a main frame assembly (101), said main frame assembly comprising a plurality of vertical shaft sets and a plurality of horizontal rods, wherein each shaft set comprises a plurality of vertical shafts that are connected by a horizontal rod;
(ii) a plurality of plummer blocks (102), including a first plummer block, a second plummer block, and a third plummer block, wherein the first plummer block being associated with a conveyor drive shaft (103) about which a plurality of sprockets (104) being capable of rotating; the second plummer block being associated with an agitation mechanism and a vibrator shaft (106); the third plummer block being associated with a roller shaft.(111) about which a guiding roller (108) being capable of rotating;
(iii) a cam driving assembly (109), said cam driving assembly (109) comprising a plurality of pulleys about which a drive belt is capable of rotating; a motor (112), said motor (112) provides drive to the cam drive assembly (109); and a belt tensioner (110) that keeps the drive belt under a state of tension; and
(b) a conveyor belt assembly (200), said conveyor belt assembly (200) being removably attached with the support structure (100), wherein the conveyor belt assembly (200) receives the drive from the motor (112) via the conveyor drive
shaft (103) and the plurality of sprockets (104).
The system for agitation of root crops as claimed in claim 1, wherein the agitation mechanism is a cam roller shaft block (105).

The system for agitation of root crops as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cam roller shaft block (105) comprising two elliptical double throw cams.

The system for agitation of root crops as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plurality of elliptical double throw cams all in the same orientation with respect to one another.

The system for agitation of root crops as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plurality of elliptical double throw cams all possess an angular offset of 30, 45, 60, 90 or 120 degrees with respect to one another.

The system for agitation of root crops as claimed in claim 1, wherein the agitation mechanism is a two roller block (115).

The system for agitation of root crops as claimed in claim 6, wherein the two roller block (115) comprising two rollers (115a and 115b) and two side plates (116a and 116b), wherein each side plate comprises a respective pivot point (117), respect to which the rollers rotate.

The system for agitation of root crops as claimed in claim 1, wherein the agitation mechanism is a four roller block (115).

The system for agitation of root crops as claimed in claim 8, wherein the four roller block (115) comprising four rollers (115a, 115b, 115c and 115d) and four side plates (116a, 116b, 116c and 116d), wherein each side plate comprises a respective pivot point (117), respect to which the rollers rotate.

The system for agitation of root crops as claimed in claim 7 and 9, wherein the shape of the plurality of rollers (115a, 115b, 115c and 115d) are square or rectangular or cylindrical or hexagonal.

The system for agitation of root crops as claimed in claim 7 and 9, wherein the shape of the plurality of rollers (115a, 115b, 115c and 115d) are made up of steel or steel with rubber coating or nylon or natural rubber or synthetic rubber or aluminium.

The system for agitation of root crops as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive belt is a V-belt.

The system for agitation of root crops as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor is a hydraulic motor or an electric motor or a mechanical drive or the like.

The system for agitation of root crops as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conveyor belt assembly (200) comprising a plurality of parallel conveyor rods (202), wherein each rod is riveted onto a conveyor belt (204) by a first plurality of rivet heads (203) and a second plurality of rivet heads (206) that are placed opposite to the first plurality of rivet heads (203) and the plurality of conveyor rods (202) are covered with a protection layer on its surface; at least two clamps (201) for holding the conveyor belt (204) in its place, and a plurality of belt strips (205), which are configured at an inner side of the conveyor belt (204) to avoid loosening of the first plurality of rivet heads (203) and the second plurality of rivet heads (206).

The system for agitation of root crops as claimed in claim 14, wherein the clamps (201) are U-shaped.

The system for agitation of root crops as claimed in claim 14, wherein the protection layer is a made up of rubber.

The system for agitation of root crops as claimed in claim 14, wherein the plurality of belt strips (205) are made up of sheet metal or alloy material.

The system for agitation of root crops as claimed in claim 14, wherein the plurality of conveyor rods (202) are made up of metal or metal alloy.

The system for agitation of root crops as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conveyor belt (204) is displaced vertically by 15-25 mm.

The system for agitation of root crops as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive belt and the conveyor belt (204) are made up of nylon or rubber or similar materials.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

100-Support structure
Main frame assembly
Plurality of plummer blocks
Conveyor drive shaft
Plurality of sprockets 105-Cam roller shaft block 106-Vibrator shaft
107- Plurality of elliptical double throw cams
108-Guiding roller
109- Cam driving assembly
110-Belt tensioner
111-Roller shaft
112-Drive
115-Two roller block
120-Four roller block
115a and 115b-Two rollers
115a, 115b, 115c and 115d - Four rollers
116a and 116b - Two side plates
117-Pivot point
200- Conveyor belt assembly
201-Clamps
Plurality of parallel conveyor rods
First plurality of rivet heads
Conveyor belt 205 - Belt strip
206- Second plurality of rivet heads 301-Bolt 302- Nut