Double Disc Coulter Depth Guide Roller Swivel Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing double disc coulters with rubber-sprung swivel axes face space constraints and inability to maintain uniform coulter pressure, especially on uneven terrain, due to heavy components and lack of maintenance-free joints, making it difficult to ensure consistent working depth.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates maintenance-free rubber bearings with minimal restoring forces, a connecting link that allows parallel guidance of the double disc coulter, and a separate swivel arm for the depth control roller with a yielding link to absorb pressure, ensuring the coulter pressure remains consistent and the working depth is maintained uniformly across varying terrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If rubber springs are used to press the double disc coulter against the ground, then the coulter can be pressed against the ground with sufficient force, but the components become very large and heavy, making it difficult to maintain uniform coulter pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rubber springs from the swivel axle assembly and places them in the coulter frame. This separation removes the heavy rubber springs from the moving swivel axle components, reducing its weight while maintaining the coulter pressure function through the separate spring mechanism in the frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the system into separate functional modules: the swivel axle becomes lighter without integrated rubber springs, while the coulter frame contains the spring mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function.
2Force
If rubber springs are integrated into the swivel axle, then the coulter can be pressed against the ground, but the swivel axle becomes very large causing free space problems
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber springs are extracted from the swivel axle assembly and relocated to the coulter frame. This removes the bulky spring components from the swivel axle, significantly reducing its volume and allowing better integration into the seed drill structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into separate functional zones: the compact swivel axle for rotation and the separate spring mechanism in the frame for applying pressure. This segmentation eliminates the need for large rubber springs within the swivel axle volume.
3Strength
If heavy components are used in the depth control system, then the structure can support the loads, but it becomes difficult to set or maintain uniform coulter pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy rubber springs are extracted from the swivel axle and placed in the coulter frame, allowing the swivel axle to be lighter and easier to operate while the frame provides the necessary structural strength to support the loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into a lightweight swivel axle for easy operation and a separate frame structure with springs for providing structural strength and maintaining pressure. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function.
4Force
If traditional rubber-sprung swivel axles are used, then the coulter can be pressed against the ground, but it is not possible to set and maintain an even coulter pressure within reasonable limits
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber springs are extracted from the swivel axle and relocated to the coulter frame, separating the pressure application mechanism from the rotation mechanism. This allows for more precise control and uniform distribution of coulter pressure across the working surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into independent pressure control (frame springs) and rotation (swivel axle) functions, allowing for more precise and uniform coulter pressure maintenance without the interfering effects of integrated rubber spring variations.
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 solution allows for lighter construction, cost-effective manufacturing, and precise depth control without affecting preset coulter pressure, even on uneven ground, by using a compact and torsionally connected rubber mount and a chain or rope connecting link that allows the double disc coulter to deviate without lifting the depth control roller.
Implementation Method 1
the two sleeves are torsionally connected to one another by means of rubber or plastic material
Implementation Method 2
rubber or plastic material... very compact and easy to assemble
Implementation Method 3
an energy store such as a spring with an adjustment device
Data Source
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AI summary
Tandem disk coulter (1) for a seed drill comprises a depth guide roller (2) with a pivot arm (8) that is connected to a coulter frame (7) so that it pivots about a transverse axis (9) in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the working direction (4) and a distance away from the pivot axis (5) of the tandem disk coulter. The pivot axis and the transverse axis are each equipped with a maintenance-free joint with a restoring force-free rubber bearing. An energy accumulator (3), preferably a spring (30), generates the coulter pressure on the ground. Preferred Features: The rubber bearing comprises an outer sleeve with a large internal diameter and an inner sleeve with an outer diameter that is smaller than the outer sleeve internal diameter. The two sleeves are interconnected in a torsional-elastic manner by a rubber or plastic material.