Flexible Intermediate Caliper Bracket for Agricultural Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing caliper brackets for agricultural harvesting machines are complex and expensive to manufacture, with structural issues that lead to damage during reverse travel or cornering, affecting the accuracy of ground distance measurement.
Innovation Solution
A caliper bracket with an elongated body divided into three sections: a rigid upper and lower portion for ground sensing, and a flexible intermediate portion that allows reversible movement, eliminating the need for a chain and enhancing rigidity and flexibility to prevent damage and maintain measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a chain is used to limit the pivoting angle and protect the caliper bracket, then the protection function is improved, but the chain may hang on stalk material causing failure of ground guidance function and damage to the caliper bracket or sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the chain component entirely from the caliper bracket design. Instead of using a chain to limit pivoting angle, the invention uses the flexible intermediate portion itself to provide both the pivoting limitation and protection functions, eliminating the source of stalk material entanglement problems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the pivoting angle limitation function and the protection function into the flexible intermediate portion itself. The flexible portion naturally limits pivoting through its mechanical properties while simultaneously protecting against damage by allowing controlled deformation, merging multiple functions into a single integrated component
2Measurement precision
If the body is made rigid to ensure accurate ground sensing, then the measurement precision is improved, but the caliper bracket becomes susceptible to damage during reverse travel or cornering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the caliper bracket body into three distinct sections: a rigid upper portion for mounting, a rigid lower portion for ground sensing, and a flexible intermediate portion connecting them. This segmentation allows different parts to have different mechanical properties optimized for their specific functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different mechanical qualities to different parts of the caliper bracket. The upper and lower portions are made rigid for stability and measurement accuracy, while the intermediate portion is made flexible to absorb shocks and allow reversible deformation during reverse travel or cornering, preventing damage to the overall structure
3Reliability
If the intermediate portion is made flexible to allow reversible movement, then the damage resistance is improved, but the rigidity in vertical direction must be sufficient to prevent bending due to spring force
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible intermediate portion is designed with specific dimensional proportions where its extent in the vertical direction is greater than in the transverse direction. This creates a high area moment of inertia that provides sufficient vertical rigidity to resist spring force bending while maintaining flexibility for reversible lateral movement during reverse travel or cornering
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 design ensures the caliper bracket remains rigid for accurate ground sensing while allowing flexible movement during reverse travel or cornering, preventing damage and maintaining measurement quality.
Implementation Method 1
the body is spring-loaded in the hinge point
Implementation Method 2
a reversible lateral swinging away or folding is possible about an axis extending in the vertical direction of axis
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a sensing bracket (1) for an attachment device (15), in particular a cutting unit, wherein the spring-loaded sensing bracket (1) has an elongated body (2), wherein a receptacle extending transversely to the longitudinal axis (8) for the passage of a shaft (7) about which the sensing bracket (1) is pivotable is arranged at one end of the elongated body (2), and wherein an opposite free end can be guided over a base (16) for sensing, wherein the body (2) is divided into at least three sections, wherein an upper section (3), on which the receptacle is arranged, and a lower section (5), which forms the free end of the sensing bracket (1) that probes the base (16), are rigidly designed, and an intermediate section (4), which is arranged between the upper section (3) and the lower section (5) and connects them, is flexible.