Belt Rake Tines with Rotatable Torsion Spring Rods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing belt rakes have unsatisfactory delivery performance due to directional asymmetry in tine conveying behavior, limited operational directionality, and issues with handling silage materials that tend to stick, leading to high crop loss and impracticality in various field conditions.
Innovation Solution
A belt rake design that allows operation in both directions with tines automatically adjusting to the travel direction, featuring rotatably mounted torsion spring tine rods in channel-shaped pockets, and a hydraulic drive system for easy direction change, ensuring high conveying capacity and minimal crop loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the belt rake is operated in one direction only with fixed tines, then the structure is simple, but the conveying capacity varies in different directions and the rake cannot be used at field edges or on inclines
Solution Approach 1:
The tines are mounted rotatably on the belt rather than being fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their orientation based on the direction of belt movement. This dynamic mounting enables the rake to function effectively in both forward and reverse directions without requiring a completely different configuration for each direction.
2Ease of repair
If the tines are securely mounted on the belt, then the conveying capacity is high, but the tines cannot be easily changed if necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The tine assembly is segmented into modular components that can be independently replaced. The rotatable mounting mechanism allows individual tines or tine groups to be removed and replaced without affecting the entire belt structure, facilitating easy maintenance while preserving the secure mounting that enables high conveying capacity.
3Productivity
If the belt is narrow with tines projecting vertically, then the structure is compact, but the delivery performance is unsatisfactory and crop can penetrate between tines
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing belt width to improve conveying capacity, the invention utilizes the vertical dimension by angling the tines downward. This dimensional approach allows the narrow belt to effectively engage and convey crop material by directing it downward onto the belt surface, preventing crop penetration while maintaining compact dimensions.
4Reliability
If the tines are controlled to withdraw in the deflection arc, then the mechanism is precise, but the mechanism becomes complex and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable tine mounting enables the tines to self-adjust to the appropriate working position automatically based on the direction of belt movement. The system uses the motion itself to trigger the adjustment, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms, cams, or linkages that would add complexity and weight.
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 belt rake achieves uniform conveying performance in both directions, reduces crop loss, and facilitates easy handling of silage materials with automatic tine adjustment and high work performance, maintaining functionality even at high speeds.
Implementation Method 1
The tines are expediently designed as torsion springs, which are able to give way when encountering obstacles. The tine rods are rotatably mounted in channel-shaped, preferably continuous, pockets running across the outer sides of the strands.
Data Source
Figure 1~5
AI summary
In a belt rake (B) with a belt equipped with tines (Z) that can be driven largely horizontally and can be selected to run in either direction (R1, R2), the sections (T) of which are oriented transversely to the direction of travel largely perpendicular to the ground, the sections (T) extend continuously over at least 30 cm and the tines (Z) are rotatably attached to the belt with largely vertical tine bars (13) and can be automatically adjusted between the two directions of travel (R1, R2) to working positions on the ground by changing the direction of travel.