Cultivating Tool Fastening Angles for Uniform Spring Characteristics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural machines face challenges in achieving uniform work results across the entire machine width due to tines with different spring characteristics when attached at varying longitudinal positions, leading to inconsistent performance.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves fastening portions that extend through the beam at different angles, allowing for adaptable length and distance from the beam to maintain the same spring characteristic, with a geometrical shape that prevents bending and ensures tensile stresses, enabling reliable and robust fixation of tools regardless of their position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If tines having different longitudinal positions are mounted to the same beam, then the number of tool-supporting beams is decreased, but the tines have different spring characteristics leading to inconsistent work results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of tool-supporting beamsVSAvoiduniformity of work results
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different fastening angles for tines at different longitudinal positions. Specifically, tines are fastened to the beam at angles varying between 10-20 degrees relative to the beam axis, depending on their longitudinal position. This local variation in fastening angle compensates for the different lever arms, ensuring that all tines exhibit substantially the same spring characteristic and work result uniformity across the machine width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If tines are displaced in the longitudinal direction to allow haulm passage, then spacing between tines is increased, but the frame structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehaulm passage capabilityVSAvoidframe structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single beam structure that serves multiple functions: it supports tines at different longitudinal positions, accommodates various fastening angles, and maintains uniform spring characteristics. This universal beam design eliminates the need for additional specialized components or complex frame modifications to achieve both tine displacement for haulm passage and structural simplicity.

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

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 approach allows for consistent movement patterns and spring characteristics across tools with different longitudinal positions, enhancing the robustness and uniformity of work results, while preventing compressive stresses and damage from obstacles.

Implementation Method 1

a springing portion (24a, 24b) formed as a helical spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2442632B1Agricultural machine device
Publication Date: 2019.04.24 VAEDERSTAD HOLDING AB
  • EP2442632B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2442632B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2442632B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An agricultural machine device comprising at least one transverse beam (8, 10) at which at least two cultivating tools (12, 14) are arranged, which cultivating tools (12, 14) comprise a bent bar (20a, 20b) having an elongate essentially straight fastening portion (22a, 22b) for the attachment to the beam (8, 10), a springing portion (24a, 24b). A first cultivating tool (12) is arranged so that the springing portion (24a) thereof is situated in front of the beam (8, 10) in relation to the working direction (F) of the agricultural machine and a second cultivating tool (14) is arranged so that the springing portion (24b) thereof is situated behind the beam (8, 10). The fastening portions (22a, 22b) extend through the beam (8, 10) in a vertical plane each, and that a first angle (A) between the fastening portion of the first cultivating tool (12) and a horizontal plane differs from a corresponding second angle (B) of the fastening portion of the second cultivating tool (14).