Disc Assembly Mounting for Agricultural Implements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural implements with multiple disc blades require complex and costly mounting assemblies for each disc blade, increasing the overall complexity and cost of the implement.
Innovation Solution
A disc assembly with a mounting assembly that includes a housing with a longitudinal passage and a rotatable shaft, where two disc blades are supported by a single fastener, reducing the number of mounting assemblies needed and simplifying the attachment process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each disc blade is individually mounted to a separate mounting assembly, then the disc blade can be securely attached and rotated, but the complexity and cost of the tillage implement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple disc blades (first disc blade and second disc blade) into a single mounting assembly that shares common components including the housing, shaft, and bearing assembly. This merging approach maintains secure attachment for each disc blade while reducing the total number of separate mounting assemblies required, thereby decreasing overall system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting assembly is designed with universal features where the housing and shaft serve multiple functions: supporting both disc blades, providing rotation capability, and enabling secure attachment through shared fastening mechanisms. This multi-functionality allows a single mounting assembly to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate assemblies.
2Reliability
If multiple fasteners are used to couple disc blade to hub, then the disc blade is securely attached, but the time required to replace disc blades increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly is segmented into modular components including the housing, shaft, bearing assembly, and end caps that can be independently accessed. The first end cap and second end cap can be selectively removed to access disc blades without disassembling the entire mounting assembly, enabling faster replacement while maintaining secure attachment through the shared fastening system.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting assembly incorporates selective accessibility features where the first end cap can be removed to access the first disc blade, and the second end cap can be removed to access the second disc blade. This dynamic accessibility allows operators to quickly replace disc blades by only removing the necessary end cap portions rather than disassembling the entire mounting assembly.
3Productivity
If a large number of disc blades are used in the tillage implement, then the tillage capability is enhanced, but the number of mounting assemblies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a mounting assembly configuration where multiple disc blades (first disc blade and second disc blade) are combined into a single mounting unit. This merging approach allows the implement to carry more disc blades overall while using fewer distinct mounting assemblies, as each assembly can accommodate multiple blades through shared housing and shaft structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A disc assembly for an agricultural implement includes a mounting assembly having a housing and a rotatable shaft configured to be disposed within the housing. The mounting assembly includes a first end cap non-movably coupled to the rotatable shaft, in which the first end cap is configured to engage a longitudinally inward surface of a first disc blade. The mounting assembly also includes a second end cap having a first engagement feature configured to selectively engage a second engagement feature of the rotatable shaft to non-movably couple the second end cap to the rotatable shaft. The second end cap is configured to engage a longitudinally inward surface of a second disc blade, and the second end cap is selectively removable from the rotatable shaft via disengagement of the first and second engagement features to facilitate engagement and disengagement of the rotatable shaft with the longitudinal passage of the housing.