Crop Cutting Device With Movable Knife Axis for Compact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crop cutting devices in agricultural machines face challenges such as mechanical complexity, high installation space requirements, and reliability issues, especially in dusty environments, due to the back-and-forth movement of knives and the need for precise knife selection and protection mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A crop cutting device with a compact structure that moves the knife axis instead of the protection system, using a selector mechanism with a rotatable shaft and engagement elements to control knife position, and incorporates hydraulic mechanisms for force absorption, allowing for smooth, remotely controllable knife selection and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If knives are pivotable between non-operating and operating positions with spring-loaded operating units, then knives are protected from damages by stones and selection of desired number of knives is enabled, but the back-and-forth movement of knives presents mechanical challenges and increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the knife from its traditional fixed mounting and makes it movable by removing it from the rigid structure and allowing it to pivot on a horizontal axis. The knife can be moved between an operating position (protruding into the crop channel) and a retracted position (withdrawn for protection), separating the cutting function from the protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The knife is made dynamic rather than static. It can pivot between different positions (operating and retracted) and can also be selectively positioned at different depths into the crop channel. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to different operating conditions while maintaining protection when not in use.
2Productivity
If the number of knives is increased to achieve shorter cut crop length, then cutting performance is improved, but the back-and-forth movement of multiple knives presents greater mechanical challenges
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple knives are merged onto a single movable carrier structure. Instead of each knife having its own independent mounting and actuation mechanism, all knives are mounted on a common carrier that can be moved collectively. This reduces the mechanical complexity while maintaining the ability to have multiple knives for improved cutting performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable carrier serves multiple functions: it holds multiple knives, provides the pivoting motion for all knives simultaneously, enables selective positioning of different numbers of knives into the crop channel, and allows collective retraction for protection. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If knives are completely retracted below the crop guiding surface for protection, then knife protection is maximized, but knives become inaccessible for maintenance or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The knife carrier is designed to be movable to a maintenance position where all knives are automatically brought into easy reach simultaneously. This preliminary positioning action prepares the system for maintenance by concentrating all knives in an accessible location before the maintenance operation begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable carrier structure provides self-service functionality: when moved to the maintenance position, it automatically presents all knives in an accessible manner without requiring individual adjustment or complex positioning procedures. The structure itself facilitates its own maintenance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If spring-loaded operating units are used for each knife, then individual knife control is enabled, but the repeated engagement and disengagement in dusty environments is prone to failure
Solution Approach 1:
Individual spring-loaded operating units for each knife are merged into a single centralized spring mechanism. This single spring is connected to all knives through the movable carrier structure, providing individual control capability to each knife while eliminating the need for multiple separate spring-loaded units that would be prone to failure in dusty environments.
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
Ensures reliable and secure cutting function with reduced installation space, improved stability, and enhanced durability in dusty conditions, facilitating easy maintenance and remote operation.
Implementation Method 1
hydraulic mechanisms for force absorption
Implementation Method 2
each knife is associated with an operating or clamping unit, which has, for example, a spring element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention provides a crop cutting device (1) comprising a frame (2) with a crop guiding surface (3) having a plurality of substantially parallel slots (5) extending in a direction of travel of the crop over the crop guiding surface (3); a plurality of knives (7) arranged side-by-side and pivotally mounted below the crop guiding surface (3), wherein each knife (7) is aligned with a respective slot (5) and is pivotable about a knife axis (9) extending substantially perpendicular to the slots (5) between a retracted deactivated position in which each knife (7) is located substantially below the crop guiding surface (3) and an extended activated position, wherein at least a cutting edge (10) of each knife (7) projects above said guiding surface (3); a plurality of knife protection units (11), each knife protection unit (11) being pivotably connected to the frame (2) and being configured to engage with a respective knife (7) in the retracted deactivated position or in the extended activated position; a selector mechanism configured to selectively engage one or more of the plurality of knife protection units (11) such that the respective knife (7) can be brought from the retracted deactivated position into the extended activated position, the selector mechanism including a plurality of engagement elements, each engagement element configured to engage with the respective knife protection unit (11); wherein the knife axis (9) is continuously moveable with respect to the frame (2); and wherein each knife (7) by movement of the knife axis (9) is configured to be engaged with the respective knife protection unit (11) to assume either the extended activated position or, alternatively, the retracted deactivated position.