Grooved Shaft Overload Protection in Agricultural Drive Trains
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural machines with processing devices face challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively addressing overloading issues in their drive units, particularly due to the complexity and maintenance requirements of shear bolt-based overload protection systems, which often necessitate costly and time-consuming repairs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a grooved shaft with a ring groove serving as a predetermined breaking point in the output transmission stage of the drive train, allowing for quick and low-cost replacement without dismantling the entire drive unit, facilitated by an assembly opening and internal toothing alignment, along with a threaded bore design for easy access and removal of broken parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shear bolt-based overload protection system is used, then overload protection is achieved, but the structural complexity and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The grooved shaft is designed as a disposable component with a predetermined breaking point. When overload occurs, the grooved shaft breaks at the ring groove and can be quickly replaced without complex maintenance, eliminating the need for complex shear bolt mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The grooved shaft is extracted as a separate, independently replaceable component from the drive unit. The assembly opening allows the grooved shaft to be removed and replaced without dismantling the entire drive unit, simplifying the overall system structure
2Reliability
If shear bolts are used for overload protection, then overload protection is provided, but repair time and cost increase due to required dismantling
Solution Approach 1:
The grooved shaft is pre-designed with a ring groove at the predetermined breaking point and an assembly opening is pre-configured in the housing. When overload occurs, the shaft breaks at the predetermined location and can be quickly removed through the pre-positioned assembly opening without time-consuming dismantling work
Solution Approach 2:
The grooved shaft is segmented with a ring groove creating a predetermined breaking point. This allows the shaft to break into separable portions that can be easily removed through the assembly opening, enabling quick replacement without dismantling the entire drive unit
3Ease of repair
If the grooved shaft is designed with a ring groove for predetermined breaking, then quick replacement is enabled, but the shaft strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ring groove is created only at the predetermined breaking point location on the grooved shaft, not throughout the entire shaft. This localized feature provides the predetermined breaking capability while maintaining the full strength of the shaft in all other critical areas
Solution Approach 2:
The ring groove acts as an intermediary feature that creates a controlled weak point for predetermined breaking. The groove geometry is designed to concentrate stress at a specific location, enabling controlled fracture at the predetermined breaking point while the rest of the shaft maintains its full structural integrity
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural machine includes at least one processing device for harvested material and a drive train for the at least one processing device. The drive train has an output transmission stage with an output shaft for the at least one processing device. The output transmission stage includes an input gear and a grooved shaft connected in a non-rotatable manner to the input gear and the output shaft in such a manner that a drive connection between the input gear and the output shaft is achieved via the grooved shaft. The grooved shaft is provided with a ring groove defining a predetermined breaking point. The ring groove is configured in the drive flow direction between the input gear and the output shaft, and the grooved shaft is accessible through an assembly opening on an input gear side of the grooved shaft. The assembly opening is axially aligned with the grooved shaft.