Adjustable Clamping Element for Agricultural Tool Frame Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for attaching tools to agricultural working machines are complex and inflexible, requiring all tools to be removed for maintenance and involving high assembly complexity due to their weight and form-fitting connections.
Innovation Solution
A device with a wedge-shaped clamping element that adjusts its clamping force and is slidably mounted on a frame component, allowing tools to be securely fastened and moved along the frame with adjustable row spacing, using sliding elements to reduce wear and facilitate easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If form-fitting connections are used to ensure stability, then connection stability is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate functional components: a support structure with recesses, profiled edge elements on the frame, and a clamping element. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while simplifying the overall assembly process through modular attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping element serves as an intermediary component between the support structure and the frame. It mediates the connection by providing adjustable clamping force through fastening elements, enabling stable attachment without complex form-fitting mechanisms.
2Stability of the object's composition
If all tools are rigidly connected to the frame, then connection stability is improved, but ease of operation for maintenance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic adjustable connection. The clamping element can be adjusted along the profiled edge elements using fastening elements, allowing tools to be securely attached during operation and easily detached for maintenance by releasing the clamping force.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping force parameter can be adjusted by moving the clamping element along the profiled edge elements and securing it at different positions with fastening elements. This allows the connection to be tightened for stable operation and loosened for maintenance access.
3Stability of the object's composition
If high clamping force is applied to secure tools, then connection stability is improved, but energy consumption for sliding tools increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sliding elements are introduced as intermediary components between the support structure and the frame, specifically at the contact surfaces. These sliding elements reduce friction during tool positioning while the clamping element maintains secure attachment through adjustable clamping force applied at different locations.
4Stability of the object's composition
If friction surfaces are increased for better clamping, then connection stability is improved, but wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The normal force parameter is optimized to provide sufficient clamping stability without excessive force. The fastening elements allow adjustment of the clamping element's position and force, enabling the system to maintain reliable connection with minimal necessary clamping force, thereby reducing wear on contact surfaces.
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
Enables flexible, secure, and energy-efficient attachment of tools to agricultural machines, reducing assembly complexity and maintaining stability over the machine's service life by concentrating wear on replaceable sliding elements.
Implementation Method 1
A particularly advantageous design is achieved by giving the clamping element a wedge shape. This allows the friction surfaces between the contact surface of the second recess and the clamping element, as well as between the clamping element and the second profiled edge element of the frame component, to reach maximum dimensions.
Implementation Method 2
Due to the large dimensions of the friction surfaces where the contact surface of the second recess, the clamping element, and the profiled edge element are in contact, the clamping effect of the clamping element and thus the stability of the device are significantly increased.
Data Source
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AI summary
Device for attaching a tool (4) to a frame component (2) of a preferably agricultural machine, the frame component (2) having profiled edge elements (3), wherein the device has a support structure (5) with recesses (6, 8) suitable for gripping the profiled edge elements (3) of the frame component (2) and a side surface (7) connecting these recesses (6, 8), and wherein the support structure (5) engages the profiled edge elements (3) in a form-fitting manner, wherein the support structure (5) is suspended on a first profiled edge element (3a) of the frame component (2) by means of a first suitable recess (6), with which the recesses (6,8) connecting side surface (7) abuts the frame component (2) and has a clamping element (11) on a second profiled edge element (3b) of the frame component (2) opposite the first profiled edge element (3a) to achieve a positive fit between the second profiled edge element (3b) of the frame component (2) and the second suitable recess (8). This clamping element is arranged between the support structure (5) and the frame component (2) and has a first side (12) abutting a contact surface (10) of the second suitable recess (8). In order to create a device that allows for flexible and convenient attachment of tools to a frame component (2) of an agricultural machine while maintaining the same stability, it is provided thatthat the clamping element (11) is displaceable on the contact surface (10) of the second suitable recess (8) against the frame component (2) and the clamping force of this clamping element (11) is adjustable by means of suitable fastening elements (14) for attaching the clamping element (11) to this contact surface (10).