Multi-part Adapter With Vertical Strips And Locking Pins

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adapters for self-propelled machines are not robust enough and are often limited to specific machines, requiring multiple adapters for different machines and attachments, which increases complexity and costs.

Innovation Solution

A generic adapter design featuring vertically oriented flat strips with protruding webs and connecting sleeves that form a uniform hole pattern, allowing for interchangeable adapter parts to connect with various machines, providing a strong and resilient connection while maintaining adaptability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a generic adapter design with vertically oriented flat strips and connecting sleeves is used, then adaptability to multiple machines is improved, but connection robustness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to multiple machinesVSAvoidconnection robustness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is designed with a standardized interface comprising vertically oriented flat strips with connecting sleeves arranged in a uniform hole pattern. This universal interface allows the same adapter design to connect to multiple different machines and attachments, achieving multi-functionality. The connecting sleeves with standardized hole patterns enable the adapter to work with various machines without requiring machine-specific custom designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The flat strips are oriented vertically and have a curved contour that adapts to the outer shape of the attachment. This curvature allows the strips to conform to different attachment geometries while maintaining the standardized connecting sleeves interface, thus achieving both universality and proper force transmission for robust connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If multiple adapters are used for different machines, then connection robustness for specific machines is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection robustnessVSAvoidnumber of adapters
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring multiple machine-specific adapters, the invention uses a single universal adapter design with standardized connecting sleeves and uniform hole patterns. This one adapter can serve multiple machines and attachments, dramatically reducing the total number of adapters needed while maintaining robust connections through the standardized interface design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If thick web plates are used to ensure fatigue strength, then connection robustness is improved, but installation space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefatigue strengthVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The flat strips are contoured to adapt to the outer shape of the attachment, allowing them to conform to available space rather than requiring additional space. This curved design maintains structural integrity and fatigue strength while fitting within the limited installation space of the attachment connection zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of increasing web plate thickness in the radial direction (which would increase installation space), the solution distributes strength across multiple vertical strips with connecting sleeves. The vertical orientation and distributed configuration provide fatigue resistance through a different dimensional arrangement, reducing the need for thick individual plates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The adapter allows for secure and precise attachment to multiple machines, enabling the use of attachments with different working machines without the need for multiple adapters, enhancing versatility and reducing manufacturing and storage costs.

Implementation Method 1

the corresponding connecting sleeves are connected to each other in the assembled position of the adapter part with the cam part by a locking pin that passes through them

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastener: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 2

the cam section has at least two planar strips extending at least approximately vertically, which are welded onto the attachment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP3425122B1Multi-part adapter for a header
Publication Date: 2020.10.14 SAPHIR MASCHBAU GMBH
  • EP3425122B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3425122B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3425122B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an adapter (4) for an attachment (2) of a self-propelled work machine, wherein the adapter (4) comprises an attachment-side cam section (6) and an adapter section (8) connected to the cam section (6), the cam section (6) being connected to the attachment (2) via an attachment-specific shaped connection zone. It is proposed that the cam section (6) has at least two vertically extending (V) planar strips (12) welded to the attachment (2) at a distance from each other, each strip (12) having a web (14) also extending vertically and projecting beyond the surface of the strips (12), and that at least three connecting sleeves (16) are formed on each web (14) as adapter-specific connecting elements, forming a uniform hole pattern (22) for connection with the adapter section (8).Connecting sleeves (18) are also arranged on the adapter part (8), the spatial arrangement of which in their assembled position corresponds to the hole pattern (22) of the connecting sleeves (16) in the cam part (6), and the corresponding connecting sleeves (16, 18) are connected to each other in the assembled position of the adapter part (8) with the cam part (6) by a locking pin (20) passing through them.