Conveyor Drum Central Locking Mechanism for Tine Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural harvesting machines face challenges in simplifying and accelerating the maintenance and repair of conveyor drums due to complex and time-consuming processes for replacing damaged or worn-out conveyor tines, which can lead to downtimes and contamination of animal feed.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor drum design featuring a central locking mechanism with eccentric discs or a continuous rotor that secures conveyor tines in place, allowing for easy clamping and release, along with a form-fitting connection between tines and the drum body to prevent uncontrolled falling and contamination, and an arrangement of tines that can be either helical or linear for efficient crop handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conveyor tines are secured with screws in pockets, then the conveyor tines can be attached to the drum body, but the replacement process becomes time-consuming and complex due to cleaning and loosening multiple screws
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor tine assembly is segmented into a modular unit consisting of the tine itself and its base with integrated locking elements. This segmentation allows the entire assembly to be replaced as a single unit rather than requiring separate manipulation of multiple screws and components, directly resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is merged into the base of the conveyor tine, combining the attachment function and the locking function into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate screws that require cleaning and loosening, enabling rapid replacement while maintaining secure attachment.
2Strength
If multiple screws are used to secure conveyor tines, then the attachment is robust, but the production cost and manufacturing complexity increase due to threaded holes and pocket design
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is segmented from the drum body and integrated into the conveyor tine base itself. This eliminates the need for threaded holes and pockets in the drum body, simplifying its manufacturing while maintaining robust attachment through the integrated locking elements in the tine base.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the drum body provide the locking mechanism (threaded holes), the locking mechanism is inverted and placed in the conveyor tine base. This inversion simplifies the drum body manufacturing while maintaining attachment robustness through the integrated locking elements.
3Reliability
If screws are used to fasten conveyor tines, then the tines can be securely attached, but the screws may loosen due to dynamic loads causing damage and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged into the conveyor tine base, creating an integrated assembly where the locking elements and fastening function are unified. This eliminates loose screw components that could detach and contaminate the harvest, while maintaining secure attachment through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The problematic loose screw components are extracted from the system and replaced with integrated locking elements that are part of the conveyor tine base itself. This eliminates the source of potential contamination while maintaining the necessary fastening function.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a conveyor tine ring with multiple individual parts is used, then the conveyor tines can be arranged in a row, but the assembly and replacement time increases due to numerous components
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor tine assembly is segmented into modular units (tine with base and locking elements) that can be independently handled and replaced. This modular segmentation allows for stable arrangement while enabling rapid replacement of individual units without manipulating multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions (attachment, locking, and structural support) are merged into the conveyor tine base and its integrated locking elements. This reduction in the number of individual parts directly reduces assembly and replacement time while maintaining arrangement stability.
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
This design simplifies the maintenance and repair of conveyor drums, reduces downtime, and prevents contamination of animal feed by ensuring secure and efficient operation of the conveyor tines, enhancing the overall performance and safety of the harvesting process.
Implementation Method 1
A conveyor drum design featuring a central locking mechanism with eccentric discs or a continuous rotor that secures conveyor tines in place
Data Source
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AI summary
Harvesting machine with a conveying drum (1) for conveying and/or receiving straw-shaped crop material, which has a plurality of conveying tines (2) and are attached to a drum base body (3) of the conveying drum (1) in rows arranged approximately transversely to the direction of travel and working, wherein the conveying tines (2) can be connected to the drum base body (3) from the outside with receiving means (6) of the drum base body (3) and at least two conveying tines (2) can be locked simultaneously by a central locking device (10).