Flexible Bucket Wall Coupling via Breakable Pin-and-Hole Tabs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for associating adjacent flexible walls of buckets in conveyor belts used in fruit harvesting machines are complex to install and prone to damage during harvesting, leading to potential tearing and deformation issues that complicate maintenance and cause sealing disruptions.

Innovation Solution

A system featuring aligned orifices and tabs with a pin-and-hole coupling mechanism that allows for simple and quick association of adjacent bucket walls, using polymeric tabs that are irreversibly coupled to prevent damage and facilitate easy replacement, with a breakable design to absorb stress and prevent tearing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid tabs and rivets are used to tightly plate adjacent transverse walls to prevent clearance between buckets, then sealing of the recovery belt is improved, but the complexity of installation increases and the risk of bucket tearing during harvesting worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing of recovery beltVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The association system is divided into separate components: tabs attached to bucket walls and distinct coupling means (rivets or irreversible coupling elements). This segmentation allows for simpler attachment of tabs to flexible walls while maintaining the sealing function through proper positioning of multiple discrete elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling means are designed as sacrificial elements that can break or deform under excessive stress during harvesting, protecting the expensive flexible bucket walls from tearing. These coupling elements are replaced rather than repaired, reducing maintenance complexity despite initial installation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Strength

If rigid rivets are used to strongly associate tabs to flexible walls, then the association strength is improved, but the risk of bucket tearing and tab deformation during harvesting worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassociation strengthVSAvoidbucket tearing and tab deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling means are designed with inherent stress-absorbing characteristics before harvesting begins. The irreversible coupling mechanism or breakable rivet design provides a predetermined failure mode that absorbs excessive forces, cushioning the flexible bucket walls from damaging stresses during unexpected harvesting incidents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The potential harm of strong rigid coupling causing bucket tearing is converted into a benefit by designing the coupling means to fail in a controlled manner. The breakable rivet or irreversible coupling element transforms the harmful excessive force into a protective mechanism that sacrifices itself to save the expensive flexible walls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If complex association systems with multiple rivets are used to ensure sealing, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the ease of maintenance worsens due to complicated replacement procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidbucket replacement ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The association system is segmented into modular components (tabs and coupling means) that can be independently replaced. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to replace only the failed coupling element or tab rather than the entire bucket assembly, significantly easing maintenance procedures while maintaining sealing reliability through the modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling means are designed as disposable or easily replaceable elements that can be discarded after failure and replaced with new ones. This approach prioritizes ease of maintenance over reusability, allowing quick replacement of failed coupling elements while preserving the expensive flexible bucket walls for continued use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS11191214B2System for associating two elements by their adjacent flexible walls

Publication Date: 2021.12.07 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

A system for associating two elements by their adjacent flexible walls including two orifices formed in each wall to be aligned two by two. A pair of tabs arranged next to the aligned orifices engage through orifices in a position wherein said walls are plated between the tabs. The couplings include a pin provided on a tab and a hole provided on the other tab to be disposed respectively through and next to the orifices when said tabs are arranged on either side of the juxtaposed walls. The pin of a tab is irreversibly coupled within a hole of another tab.