Adjustable Molded Part for Agricultural Tool Height Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural machines face challenges in maintaining uniform crop processing across their working width due to variations in tire diameters and manufacturing tolerances, leading to uneven operation and potential contamination.

Innovation Solution

A molded part with adjustable tongues of varying lengths is used to compensate for tire diameter differences and manufacturing tolerances, allowing for precise adjustment of the distance between the work tools and the ground, incorporating both coarse and fine adjustment mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If inexpensive wheels with large tire diameter tolerances are used, then cost is reduced, but the distance of working tools from the ground fluctuates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidtire diameter tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The molded part provides adjustable parameters (distance of support from ground) to compensate for variations in tire diameter. By changing the position or configuration of the molded part, the support distance can be adjusted to maintain consistent working tool height despite tire manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the distance of working tools from the ground is not adjusted, then device complexity is reduced, but crop processing uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment mechanismVSAvoidcrop processing uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The molded part introduces adjustability to the previously static support structure. The support distance can be dynamically adjusted to compensate for tire diameter variations, ensuring uniform crop processing while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the support distance is fixed, then ease of operation is improved, but working result uniformity deteriorates due to tire variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidworking result uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment of the molded part is performed in advance during setup or maintenance, before actual field operation. This preliminary adjustment compensates for tire diameter variations, allowing the operator to work with a fixed, simple configuration during operation while still achieving uniform results.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3799709B1Moulding for a component, component with the moulding and agricultural working machine with the component

Publication Date: 2023.09.20 MASCHINENFABRIK BERNARD KRONE GMBH & CO KG

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Figure 2(a)
Figure 2(b)~2(c)

AI summary

The present invention relates to a molded part for adjusting the height of a component of an agricultural machine, comprising an annular base body to which a fastening means for attaching a frame component is provided, the base body extending in a plane transverse to a longitudinal axis, the molded part having at least one tongue extending radially from the base body to a free end and designed to receive a load force acting upon it. The present invention further relates to a component for an agricultural machine comprising a working tool and a wheel, the working tool being guided over the ground by the wheel, the wheel being attached to a support whose distance from the ground is adjustable, the distance adjustment of the support comprising a coarse adjustment and a fine adjustment.The present invention further relates to an agricultural machine with such a molded part or component.