Forage Harvester Feed Roller Spline Coupling for Easy Disassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural harvesters, such as forage harvesters, face difficulties in easy disassembly of intake rollers for maintenance due to their integration with the main intake gearbox, requiring heavy lifting equipment and complicating field repairs.
Innovation Solution
A connection arrangement between the feed roller and gearbox featuring a gearbox shaft with ridges, a feed roller shaft with a blind bore, a connecting shaft, a splined sleeve for torque transmission, and a locking element with half rings and fasteners, allowing for axial securing and easy disassembly of the feed roller from the gearbox.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the feed roller shaft is directly integrated into the gearbox housing, then the structure is compact and rigid, but the feed roller cannot be easily disassembled for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the feed roller shaft and gearbox shaft is segmented into separate components: a feed roller shaft, a connecting shaft, and a locking element. This allows the feed roller assembly to be disassembled from the gearbox without removing the entire gearbox assembly, enabling maintenance while maintaining structural integrity during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A connecting shaft with splines acts as an intermediary component between the gearbox shaft and feed roller shaft. This intermediate element enables torque transmission while allowing for easy disconnection and reconnection, solving both the need for structural rigidity and ease of maintenance.
2Strength
If the feed roller assembly is heavily integrated with the gearbox, then structural stability is improved, but heavy lifting equipment is required for removal
Solution Approach 1:
The feed roller assembly is segmented from the gearbox through the use of a separate connecting shaft and locking element. This segmentation maintains the structural stability of both components during operation while enabling the feed roller to be removed and reinstalled in the field without heavy lifting equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system transitions from a static, permanently integrated structure to a dynamic, reversible connection. The locking element can be engaged to provide rigid connection during operation and disengaged for maintenance, adapting the structural characteristics as needed.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple shaft connection is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but torque transmission reliability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting shaft with external splines serves as an intermediary that provides reliable torque transmission between the gearbox shaft and feed roller shaft. The spline engagement creates a positive mechanical connection that reliably transmits torque while maintaining relative simplicity in manufacturing compared to integral gear connections.
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
Enables simple disassembly and maintenance of feed rollers without removing the gearbox assembly, reducing the need for heavy lifting equipment and facilitating field repairs by providing secure torque transmission and easy access.
Implementation Method 1
the splines match the ridges of the gearbox shaft and the feed roller shaft so as to provide torque transmission between the gearbox shaft and the feed roller shaft
Implementation Method 2
a bearing is provided within the central bore of the feed roller shaft within which the connecting shaft is seated
Data Source
AI summary
A connection arrangement for use in a forage harvester between a feed roller and a gear box of a forage harvester is disclosed. A gearbox shaft with a central through bore is rotatingly supported in a gearbox housing around an axis of rotation, an outer surface of a distal end of the gearbox shaft being provided with ridges. A feed roller shaft is rotatingly supported around the axis of rotation, the feed roller shaft having a central blind bore aligned with the central through bore of the gearbox shaft, an outer surface of a distal end of the feed roller shaft being provided with ridges. A connecting shaft is located within the central bores of the gearbox shaft and the feed roller shaft. A sleeve having internal splines is provided, surrounding the distal ends of the gearbox shaft and the feed roller shaft. The splines of the sleeve match the ridges of the gearbox shaft and the feed roller shaft so as to provide torque transmission between the gearbox shaft and the feed roller shaft. A locking element secures the splined sleeve axially in position about the distal ends of the gearbox shaft and the feed roller shaft.