Controlled Tine Conveyor Spring Overload Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing harvesting devices face issues with foreign objects damaging controlled tines and the crankshaft due to their inability to adapt quickly to fluctuating crop thickness and sudden peak forces, leading to potential breakage and inefficiency in crop conveyance.
Innovation Solution
An overload protection device using a spring element interposed between the stationary shaft and the frame, allowing the shaft to rotate and adjust to peak forces, thereby protecting the tines and crankshaft from damage by absorbing and redirecting forces through a spring movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid arm with limited pivoting motion is used to support the conveyor roller, then the structure is simple, but it cannot react quickly enough to sudden peak forces and cannot adapt to fluctuating crop thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is transformed from a rigid structure with limited pivoting motion into a dynamic system with a spring element that allows continuous adjustment. The spring enables the support arm to flex and adapt its position in real-time according to the varying forces and crop thickness, converting a static structure into a dynamically responsive mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element changes the mechanical parameters of the support system by introducing elasticity. This allows the support arm to vary its position and absorption capacity based on the applied forces, enabling rapid response to peak forces while maintaining structural integrity. The spring constant and pre-compression can be adjusted to optimize performance for different operating conditions.
2Productivity
If controlled tines are used to grip and convey crop material, then conveying effectiveness is improved, but foreign objects can block or damage the tines and crankshaft
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element acts as a cushioning mechanism that is pre-positioned in the support arm. When foreign objects or excessive forces are encountered, the spring absorbs the shock before it can reach and damage the controlled tines and crankshaft. This beforehand cushioning protects the critical conveying components from damage while maintaining their gripping effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element serves as an intermediary between the external forces (including foreign objects) and the controlled tine mechanism. It mediates the force transmission by absorbing and dampening harmful forces while allowing normal operational forces to pass through, thereby protecting the tines and crankshaft from damage without interfering with their conveying function.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the conveyor roller is held by a heavy rigid arm, then structural stability is maintained, but the mass prevents quick reaction to peak forces
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element introduces flexibility into the support arm structure, replacing the rigid mass with a compliant element. This flexible component maintains structural stability under normal conditions while allowing rapid deformation and recovery when peak forces are encountered, enabling quick response without requiring heavy mass or complex active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element provides automatic, passive response to peak forces without requiring external control systems or additional energy input. When forces exceed the spring's designed capacity, it automatically deflects to absorb the shock, then self-rebounds to return to its original position. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for heavy rigid structures or complex active control systems.
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 spring element provides rapid adjustment to peak forces, preventing damage to the tines and crankshaft, ensuring continuous and efficient crop conveyance by adapting to varying crop thickness and foreign objects without additional components, reducing maintenance and cost.
Implementation Method 1
The overload protection device is designed as a spring element which, when an overload is applied, allows the stationary shaft to rotate from its initial position to a deflected position by absorbing the overload acting on the stationary shaft and generating restoring forces.
Implementation Method 2
The spring element's characteristic curve is matched to the loads and force peaks that are considered overloads for the tines, crankshaft, and/or stationary shaft by design. This allows the spring element to always react to defined overloads with a compensatory movement.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a harvesting device (2) with a conveying element (8) having controlled tines (16). In order to protect the controlled tines (16) and the crankshaft (34) on which the controlled tines (16) are mounted against overload, it is proposed that the overload protection device (26) be connected to the stationary shaft (22) on its side facing the stationary shaft (22) and to the frame (4) via a bracket (24) on its side facing away from the stationary shaft (22), that the overload protection device (26) be designed as a spring element (28) which, when subjected to an overload, allows a rotational movement of the stationary shaft (22) from a starting position to a deflection position by absorbing an overload acting on the stationary shaft (22) and thereby building up restoring forces within itself.and the spring element (28) is driven by the restoring forces in the spring element (28) after the overload has ceased to move automatically back into its original position and also returns the stationary shaft (22) to its initial position.