Concave Grate Cam Latch for Tool-Free Combine Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concaves in agricultural combines tend to plug easily, reducing capacity and threshing ability, especially with green or high-volume crops, and require frequent removal or switching between different concaves for varying grain sizes.
Innovation Solution
A system for mounting concave grates using latch assemblies with carriage bolts, thrust washers, and cam levers that allow tool-less attachment and detachment to a support frame, ensuring secure and easy installation and removal of concave grates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional mounting methods are used for concave grates, then the concave can be securely attached, but removal and installation require tools and time
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate modular components: latch assemblies with carriage bolts, thrust washers, and cam levers that can be independently assembled and disassembled. This segmentation allows for quick tool-less removal and installation of concave grates by simply operating the latch mechanisms without requiring tools to dismantle the entire mounting structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch assembly mechanism is designed to be operated manually without external tools. The cam lever pivots on the threaded shaft, and the cam surface engages the thrust washer to latch the concave grate securely. The same mechanism can be manually reversed to release the latch, enabling operators to exchange concave grates independently without requiring tool assistance.
2Productivity
If concave grates are used in rotary combines, then threshing capacity is improved, but the concave plugs frequently with green or high-volume crop material
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system allows for rapid exchange of concave grates during operational interruptions. When clogging occurs, operators can quickly remove the plugged concave and install a clean one by simply operating the latch mechanisms, minimizing downtime and maintaining operational continuity. The dynamic nature of the latch assembly enables fast changes without requiring complex disassembly procedures.
3Productivity
If concave grates are used in rotary combines, then threshing ability is improved, but frequent switching between different concaves is required for different grain sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system uses standardized modular components that can be quickly assembled and disassembled. The latch assembly with carriage bolt, thrust washer, and cam lever forms a self-contained unit that can be rapidly deployed or removed. This modular segmentation enables operators to switch between different concave grate types for different grain sizes without the complexity of tool-based fastening systems.
4Reliability
If concave grates are securely mounted, then attachment reliability is improved, but removal requires tools and manual labor
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly is designed as a self-operating mechanism where the cam lever pivots on the threaded shaft to engage and disengage the latch. The cam surface naturally engages the thrust washer to secure the concave grate firmly during operation. To remove, the same cam lever can be manually pivoted to release the latch, providing secure attachment during use while enabling easy, tool-less removal when needed.
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 quick and tool-free exchange of concave grates, maintaining combine efficiency and flexibility in handling different grain types without the need for tools, thereby enhancing operational convenience and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
a cam lever pivotally attached to the nut. The cam lever pivots about a pivot axis perpendicular to a length of the threaded shaft, the cam lever including a cam surface configured to engage the thrust washer
Implementation Method 2
the cam lever being pivotable from an unlatched position to a latched position such that engagement of the cam surface with the thrust washer during pivotal motion of the cam lever biases the thrust washer toward the enlarged head to thereby latch the mounting flange of the concave grate to the support flange
Implementation Method 3
a carriage bolt including a threaded shaft having an enlarged head at one end with a non-circular shoulder adjacent the enlarged head
Data Source
AI summary
A latch assembly includes a carriage bolt including a threaded shaft having an enlarged head at one end with a non-circular shoulder adjacent the enlarged head. Each latch assembly further includes a thrust washer received about the carriage bolt, a nut threadedly received on the threaded shaft, and a cam lever pivotally attached to the nut. The cam lever pivots about a pivot axis perpendicular to a length of the threaded shaft, the cam lever including a cam surface configured to engage the thrust washer, the cam lever being pivotable from an unlatched position to a latched position such that engagement of the cam surface with the thrust washer during pivotal motion of the cam lever biases the thrust washer toward the enlarged head to thereby latch a mounting flange of a concave grate to a support flange of a support frame.