Cutting Device Knife Preselection Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting devices for agricultural harvesting machines face challenges such as high force requirements for adjusting the cutting length, inadequate protection of individual cutting blades from overload, and increased wear and effort in actuating mechanisms, which hinder efficient operation and longevity.

Innovation Solution

A cutting device with pivotably mounted cutting knives and a preselection device that allows for easy activation and deactivation with reduced effort, featuring a hexagonal shaft with cam disks for flexible support and protection of each blade, eliminating the need for complex drives and ensuring minimal installation space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a common actuating device is used to move all cutting blades, then the device complexity is reduced, but the force required to actuate the device increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplexity of actuating mechanismVSAvoidforce required to adjust cutting length
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting blades are divided into multiple independently controllable groups, each with its own actuating mechanism. This segmentation allows each group to be adjusted separately with reduced force, while maintaining overall system simplicity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The actuating mechanism incorporates movable elements that can dynamically engage or disengage from cutting blades based on operational requirements. This dynamic capability allows the system to switch between moving all blades together or only selected blades, optimizing force requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If all cutting blades are protected by a common overload protection device, then the device complexity is reduced, but individual blade protection capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplexity of protection mechanismVSAvoidindividual blade overload protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The overload protection system is segmented into individual protection mechanisms for each cutting blade or blade group. Each blade has its own overload protection element that independently detects and responds to excessive loads, ensuring reliable individual blade protection while maintaining acceptable system complexity through standardized modular components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If complex transmission gears are used to reduce actuating force, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manual rotation of control shaftVSAvoidcomplexity of transmission mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A cam mechanism serves as an intermediary between the operator's manual input and the cutting blade actuation. The cam profile is designed to provide mechanical advantage during the actuation stroke, reducing the force required by the operator while avoiding the need for complex gear transmissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Length of stationary object

If the installation space is reduced to maintain compact design, then the ground clearance is maintained, but the available space for cutting device components is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveground clearance of baling pressVSAvoidinstallation space for cutting device
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting device components are arranged in a compact configuration that utilizes three-dimensional space efficiently. The actuating mechanisms and overload protection devices are positioned in multiple dimensions around the cutting blades, maximizing component placement within limited space while maintaining the required ground clearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 solution provides reliable protection for each cutting blade, reduces operational effort, and allows for more flexible adjustment and longer knife lifespan, maintaining compact design and ground clearance in baling presses.

Implementation Method 1

adjusting means (30, 39) for the flexible support of each individual cutting blade (15) in the cutting position by the action of a tensioning unit (30)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

preselection device for preselecting the number of the cutting blade, which pivots into the cutting position when a blade switching device is activated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Data Source

PatentEP2979535B1Cutting device for agricultural harvesters
Publication Date: 2018.09.19 MASCHINENFABRIK BERNARD KRONE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2979535B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2979535B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2979535B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Cutting device for agricultural harvesting machines such as loader wagons or balers for harvesting agricultural straw or leaves, comprising a conveying channel in which a plurality of cutting knives (15) arranged in at least one row, pivotably mounted and projecting into the conveying channel in a cutting position, cooperate with a conveying element equipped with conveying tines and driven in rotation about an axis oriented horizontally and transversely to the direction of travel and work, for the purpose of shredding the straw, and with adjusting means for the compliant support of each individual cutting knife (15) in the cutting position, as well as with a pre-selection device (26) for pre-selecting the number of cutting knives (15) which pivot into the cutting position when a knife switching device (28) is activated.wherein the preselection device (26) can be operated with reduced effort by eliminating resistances through adjusting and/or connecting means of the knife switching device (28) during its adjustment movement for preselection of the cutting knives (15) to be activated.