Deblocking Rocker Mechanism With Pawls for Automated Unjamming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deblocking mechanisms for rotating components in agricultural machines, such as combine harvesters, are inefficient due to the need for manual intervention and lack of effective back-and-forth rocking motion, which is crucial for removing blockages.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus utilizing an adjustable length actuator, lever with pivotable pawls, and a support plate to generate a controlled rocking motion, where pawls engage with a force transfer element to actuate the component in opposite directions, allowing for differential angular displacement to facilitate effective deblocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a hydraulic actuator with a ratchet mechanism is used to deblock a rotating component, then the deblocking function is automated, but the required back-and-forth rocking motion cannot be reproduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a movable support plate that can shift position dynamically during operation. The support plate moves from a first position where it prohibits one pawl from engaging the force transfer element to a second position where it prohibits the other pawl from engaging. This dynamic repositioning enables the system to reproduce the necessary back-and-forth rocking motion automatically, resolving the contradiction between automation and operational capability.
2Device complexity
If a ratchet mechanism with fixed pawls is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot achieve differential angular displacement in opposite directions
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically prohibit different pawls from engaging the force transfer element. This enables differential angular displacement where the lever can move through different angular ranges in opposite directions, providing adaptability while maintaining relatively simple mechanics.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate acts as an intermediary element between the pawls and the force transfer element. By controlling which pawl can engage with the force transfer element at any given time, the support plate mediates the interaction to achieve the desired asymmetric rocking motion with different angular displacements in opposite directions.
3Device complexity
If manual intervention is used to deblock the component, then the system structure remains simple, but the process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to automatically perform the deblocking function through the coordinated action of the hydraulic actuator, movable support plate, and pawls. The apparatus self-regulates the rocking motion without requiring manual intervention, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining acceptable structural complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4a~4c
AI summary
An apparatus for actuating a rocking motion of a movable component comprises a adjustable length actuator (14,34), a lever (15,40) whose angular position is controlled by the actuator and a force transfer element (12;48,49) attached to the movable component, and wherein the lever (15) is provided with a pair of oppositely placed pawls (20,21), the pawls being shaped so as to interact with the force transfer element for respectively actuating movement of the component in one of two opposite directions, when the lever exits a neutral positional range in which range any interaction between both pawls and the force transfer element is prohibited. The neutral range may be defined by a support plate (25) positioned, shaped and dimensioned so as to prohibit interaction between the pawls and the force transfer element. Advantageously, the displacement of the component in one direction may be larger than in the opposite direction.