Design and testing of a fully automatic aquatic plant combing machine for Eriocheir sinensis farming

Aquatic plant cleaning in Eriocheir sinensis farming currently relies heavily on manual methods, which are labor-intensive and inefficient. To address this issue, this study explores fully automated aquatic plant raking technology. Considering the physical characteristics of aquatic plant in Eriocheir sinensis farming, a novel approach using torsion spring hooks instead of traditional cutting blades for plant removal is proposed. A aquatic plant combing mechanism and a water depth adjustment mechanism were designed to enhance functionality. Furthermore, a multi-drawer-type aquatic plant spreading method was introduced, along with an automatic mechanism for uniformly spreading aquatic plant. Adams simulation software was employed to analyze the movement of the multi-drawer silo under various working conditions, determining the minimum damping force required for the damping mechanism in extreme scenarios. A prototype was subsequently fabricated and tested. Experimental results confirmed that the combing mechanism operated smoothly without jamming, meeting all design specifications. The prototype demonstrated stable underwater performance, reliable depth adjustment, and high cleaning efficiency, fully aligning with the intended design objectives. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.