Control Unit Mount With Dual Buffers for Vibration Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening systems for control devices on agricultural machines are complex, labor-intensive to assemble and disassemble, and do not adequately decouple the control devices from vibrations and oscillations, particularly in areas with limited accessibility like near drive motors.

Innovation Solution

A simplified fastening arrangement using a holding element with a fastening web and a support element featuring buffer elements on both sides, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly from one side, with a U-shaped design to reduce vibrations and oscillations, and incorporating recesses for secure buffer element placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a multi-part fastening system with vibration-damping elements is used to decouple the control unit from vibrations, then the control unit is protected from vibrations and shocks, but the assembly and disassembly become extremely complex and labor-intensive due to the multitude of individual parts and fastening devices located at different levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from vibrations and shocksVSAvoidassembly and disassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple fastening elements and vibration-damping components into a single integrated fastening device. The fastening device includes a first fastening element, a second fastening element, and a third fastening element that are interconnected to form one unified component that can be installed and removed as a single unit, eliminating the need to manually assemble multiple separate parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated fastening device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides vibration damping through integrated damping elements, secures the control unit through multiple fastening points, and enables easy installation/removal through a single操作 interface. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by making one component do the work of several separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If control units are screwed or anchored directly to body elements to prevent relative movements, then the control units are securely fastened, but excessive vibrations are transmitted to the control units due to the movements of the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fastening to prevent relative movementsVSAvoidvibrations transmitted to control unit
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces vibration-damping elements as intermediary components between the control unit and the vehicle body. These damping elements are integrated into the fastening device and serve as a mediator that absorbs and dissipates vibration energy, preventing direct transmission of harmful vibrations to the control unit while maintaining secure mechanical attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening device incorporates composite construction with elements of different material properties - rigid fastening components for secure attachment and vibration-damping materials (such as elastomers or viscoelastic materials) for vibration isolation. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of stable mounting and vibration protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If a multi-part fastening system is used to provide vibration decoupling, then vibration protection is achieved, but accessibility to the control unit is limited and assembly/disassembly requires working at different levels which is extremely complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration decouplingVSAvoidnumber of individual parts and fastening devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple fastening elements, vibration-damping components, and connection elements into a single integrated fastening device. This consolidation reduces the number of individual parts from multiple separate components to one unified device, simplifying the overall system while maintaining vibration decoupling functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution provides easy access and uncomplicated assembly/disassembly of control devices while effectively decoupling them from machine vibrations, reducing the risk of damage and maintaining secure attachment, even in areas with limited accessibility.

Implementation Method 1

The carrier element comprises at least a first buffer element and at least one second buffer element, wherein the first buffer element and the second buffer element are arranged on two different sides of the carrier element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4331918A1Arrangement for fixing a control device to a body of an agricultural machine
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 CLAAS TRACTOR
  • EP4331918A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4331918A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4331918A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to an arrangement (10) for attaching a control unit (6) to a body (3) of an agricultural machine (1), in particular a tractor (2), wherein the arrangement (10) comprises a retaining element (11) which can be attached or is attached to the body (3) of the agricultural machine (1), and a support element (12) on which the control unit (6) can be arranged or is arranged.The arrangement (10) is characterized in that the retaining element (11) comprises at least one fastening web (13), wherein the support element (12) comprises at least one first buffer element (14) and at least one second buffer element (15), wherein the first buffer element (14) and the second buffer element (15) are arranged on two different sides of the support element (12), wherein, for fastening the support element (12) to the retaining element (11), the first buffer element (14) can be connected to the fastening web (13) and the second buffer element (15) can be connected to the retaining element (11) by means of a fastening means (16).