Conical Bolt Positioning for Grain Harvester Cutter Bar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-part grain cutter designs face difficulties in ensuring easy separation and proper locking of cutter bar parts at the pivot axis, with no effective positioning of parts during separation and locking, leading to inefficiencies in the folding and locking mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A knife adjusting device with levers and actuating mechanisms, powered by a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly, ensures precise positioning of cutter bar parts using conical bolts and a locking system that centers the blades before locking, allowing for controlled separation and locking of the cutter bar parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a form-fitting locking means with a U-shaped clamping device is used to connect cutter bar parts, then the locking of cutter bar parts is secured, but the positioning of parts during connection and separation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing a positioning device that centers the cutter bar parts before the locking mechanism engages. The positioning bolt with conical end and associated positioning elements are activated first to establish precise alignment, ensuring that the subsequent locking action occurs at the correct position. This resolves the contradiction by performing positioning prior to locking, rather than relying on the locking mechanism alone to provide both functions.
2Ease of operation
If cutter bar parts are designed for easy separation at the pivot axis, then the ease of operation is improved, but the positioning control during separation and locking is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces positioning elements as intermediary components between the cutter bar parts that maintain positioning control during separation and locking operations. The positioning bolt, positioning sleeve, and conical positioning end act as mediators that guide the relative movement and ensure precise positioning even as the parts are being separated or connected. This allows easy operation through the articulated design while maintaining positioning accuracy through the intermediary positioning mechanism.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple adjusting devices and locking mechanisms are added to achieve proper positioning, then the positioning precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into integrated components to reduce overall complexity. The positioning bolt combines positioning and centering functions; the locking lever integrates locking engagement with positioning guidance; and the actuating rod coordinates both positioning and locking actions through a single hydraulic actuator. By merging these functions into unified components rather than separate mechanisms, the patent achieves precise positioning while limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The tool has cutter bar parts (1, 2) connected to each other by a locking bolt in a form fit manner, where the locking bolt is designed as conical bolt. The bolting device is aligned transverse to a longitudinal direction of the cutter bars. A cutter positioning device (11) is provided, through which the cutter is guided in a middle position between the cutter fingers, before the locking bolt supported by one of cutter bar parts are engaged in the latching bush supported by other cutter part.