Hydraulic Cylinder Piston Rod Shielding for Starchy Crop Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The hydraulic cylinder's piston rod in self-propelled harvesting machines is prone to adhesion and damage from starchy crop components, particularly due to inadequate cleaning, leading to sealing impairment.
Innovation Solution
A protective device in the form of a profiled shield is attached to the hydraulic cylinder, covering the piston rod and preventing starchy plant juices from reaching the sealing area, with optional scrapers and stripping elements to prevent residue accumulation and ensure easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the piston rod is exposed during operation, then the hydraulic cylinder can perform its lifting function, but starchy crop components adhere to the piston rod surface causing seal damage
Solution Approach 1:
A protective device is introduced as an intermediary element between the piston rod and the harmful starchy crop components. This protective device shields the piston rod surface during harvesting operations, preventing direct contact with adhesive crop materials while allowing the hydraulic cylinder to function normally.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective device functions as a flexible protective covering that can adapt to the piston rod's movements. It provides a barrier layer that prevents starchy components from adhering to the piston rod surface while accommodating the extended and retracted positions of the piston rod during operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the piston rod is frequently wiped clean, then adhesion of starchy components is reduced, but the sealing area is exposed to contamination during cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device can be easily removed or detached when cleaning is required. This allows the piston rod to be cleaned without exposing the sealing area to contamination, as the protective device itself can be taken out of the system temporarily for maintenance purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective device prevents adhesion accumulation during operation, reducing the frequency and intensity of cleaning required. By maintaining a clean surface continuously during operation, preliminary protection is provided that minimizes the need for aggressive cleaning that might expose the sealing area to contaminants.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective device is added to cover the piston rod, then adhesion prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device is designed as a segmented or modular structure that can be attached only to the specific areas requiring protection. This segmentation allows the protective function to be implemented without adding complexity to the entire hydraulic cylinder assembly, focusing protection only where starchy component adhesion occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective device is designed as a simple, easily replaceable component with minimal structural complexity. It functions as a sacrificial or temporary protective element that can be quickly installed and removed without requiring complex integration into the hydraulic system, reducing overall device complexity.
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
Effectively prevents long-term impairment of the sealing function by shielding the piston rod from crop residues, reducing adhesion and extending the maintenance interval, while allowing for easy removal of accumulated particles.
Implementation Method 1
starchy components of the harvested crop, which are very adhesive, get onto the chrome-plated surface of the piston rod. These components usually cake with the surface
Implementation Method 2
the piston rod is guided on its outer lateral surface in a sliding manner in a seal of the lifting cylinder
Data Source
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AI summary
The harvester has a front attachment unit (1) e.g. cereal cutting unit or corn plucker, raised and lowered via a hydraulic cylinder (5) relative to a chassis of the harvester. A protection device (15) is directly or indirectly fastened at an end (8) of a conveyor (2) or at a rear wall of the attachment unit. The protection device is designed as a profile, and covers the hydraulic cylinder on its side facing a bottom (16) of the protection device, where the hydraulic cylinder executes pivoting movement in an inner space of the attachment unit. The protection device is designed as a U-shaped hollow profile and L-shaped profile.