Forage Pick-Up Device Back-Plate with Teeth and Tab Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pick-up devices for forage implements require difficult maintenance as service technicians need to position themselves below the device to unfasten stripper bands, making it cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The pick-up device incorporates a back-plate with teeth and tabs that secure stripper bands within chambers, limiting movement and eliminating the need for fasteners at the bands' ends, allowing for easier attachment and detachment without requiring manipulation from below.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fasteners (bolts, pins, keyhole fasteners) are used to secure stripper bands at both ends, then the stripper bands are securely fastened to the pick-up device, but maintenance becomes difficult as service technicians must position themselves below the pick-up device to unfasten the bands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional fastening approach by moving the fastening mechanism from the ends of the stripper bands to the back-plate side. Instead of fastening at the band ends (requiring access from below), the teeth and tab plate structure fastens the bands at the back-plate, allowing service technicians to access and maintain the bands from above the pick-up device.
Solution Approach 2:
The back-plate with its teeth and tab plate structure serves as an intermediary fastening mechanism between the stripper bands and the pick-up device. This intermediary structure provides secure fastening while enabling easier maintenance access, as technicians can work from above rather than positioning themselves below the device.
2Reliability
If multiple fasteners are used at both ends of stripper bands, then secure attachment is achieved, but device complexity and maintenance effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening function is segmented into two distinct components: teeth for engaging the stripper bands at the first end to limit transverse movement, and a tab plate for engaging the bands at the second end to limit vertical movement. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific fastening function, reducing overall complexity while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
Different fastening features are applied at different locations: teeth engage the bands at the first end for lateral restraint, while the tab plate engages the bands at the second end for vertical restraint. This localized application of different fastening mechanisms optimizes the fastening system for both security and simplicity.
3Reliability
If stripper bands are fastened at both ends with multiple fasteners, then pull-out is prevented, but the number of parts and assembly/disassembly steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The back-plate with teeth and tab plate is pre-configured to receive and secure the stripper bands. The teeth and tab plate structure is designed in advance to engage with the bands, allowing for quick attachment and detachment without requiring multiple fastening operations. This preliminary configuration reduces maintenance time while maintaining secure fastening.
Data Source
AI summary
Pick-up devices of a forage implement such as a round baler may include stripper bands that define slots between the stripper bands to allow tines to pass through during rotation of the tines. The pick-up device may include a back-plate for attaching stripper bands that includes chambers to receive the bands.