1. A Dual Motor Actuator Used To Detach Fruit By Shaking Limbs Of Fruit Trees

Mechanizing the fruit removal operation during fresh-market apple harvesting will result in considerable cost savings for fruit growers. This study introduces a mechanical fruit removal technique that uses a unique limb shaking mechanism called a Dual Motor Actuator (DMA). The DMA was developed as an infinitely variable end-effector that applies rhythmic motions to a fruiting limb to remove fruit. The novelty of the DMA design is the use of two eccentrics mounted to electric motors... M. De kleine, M. Karkee, Q. Zhang, K. Lewis