END EFFECTOR FOR SEPARATING A CROP PART FROM A CROP WITH A GRIPPING ELEMENT AND A PIVOTABLE CUTTER

Fuente: WIPO "tomato"
The present invention relates to an end‑effector (1) for separating a crop part from a crop, comprising at least one gripping element (2) that defines a passage (3) for receiving the crop part, and at least one cutting element (4) that is rotatably mounted about a rotation axis (A) parallel to the passage. The cutting element can move between a rest position (I) and an activated position (II) in which its cutting edge (41) passes the passage (3) about said rotation axis (A), wherein the rotation axis is parallel to and arranged at a distance (D) from a longitudinal direction (L) of the passage (3). The present invention provides the combination of a passage‑defining gripping element (2) with a rotatable cutting element (4) whose axis is offset from, yet parallel to, the passage, providing clean cuts while minimizing contamination of the cutting mechanism.