Hay Rake Compression Spring Assembly With Integrated Movement Limiter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current compression spring assemblies for hay rakes lack rigidity, are prone to bending or warping under pressure, fail to restrict movement effectively, and require multiple components, leading to alignment issues, increased wear, and higher fabrication and assembly costs.
Innovation Solution
A compression spring assembly featuring a rod with a stop assembly, boxing assembly, and limiter assembly, where the limiter assembly includes a cylindrical limiting member and guide assembly to restrict movement, eliminating the need for a pin latch and providing increased rigidity and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a slatted plate is used in the compression spring assembly, then the assembly can be constructed, but the plate lacks rigidity and can easily be bent or warped when pressure is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The slatted plate is divided into multiple individual slats that are separately supported by vertical posts. This segmentation allows each slat to be simpler to manufacture while the collective structure, supported by rigid posts, achieves the necessary overall rigidity and stability without warping under pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
Vertical posts are introduced as intermediary elements between the slatted plate and the ground. These posts provide rigid support to the slats, preventing them from bending or warping under pressure while maintaining the constructed assembly design.
2Device complexity
If a U-shaped bracket is used to hold the slatted plate, then the assembly can be formed, but the bracket fails to restrict the plate along the vertical axis, increasing wear and likelihood of bending
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous U-shaped bracket is segmented into discrete vertical posts positioned at intervals along the plate. This segmentation provides vertical restriction at multiple points, preventing the plate from moving vertically or warping, while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure transitions from a horizontal U-shaped bracket to vertical posts extending in the vertical dimension. This dimensional change provides effective vertical axis restriction that the horizontal bracket could not achieve, preventing plate warping and reducing wear.
3Ease of operation
If a multiple component pin latch is used to restrict the slatted plate, then movement can be controlled, but the assembly requires more parts and is more expensive to fabricate and assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The pin latch mechanism is merged with the vertical posts and cross members to form an integrated structural support system. The same structural elements that provide support also provide movement restriction, eliminating the need for separate multiple-component pin latches and reducing overall part count and assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical posts and cross members serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the slatted plate, restrict vertical movement to prevent warping, and simultaneously act as the pin latch mechanism to control horizontal movement. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed.
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 solution enhances rigidity, reduces wear, simplifies assembly, and lowers costs by using fewer parts, while ensuring smoother operation and preventing the hay rake wheel from engaging the ground prematurely.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring positioned between the stop assembly and the boxing assembly
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a compression spring assembly for a hay rake. The compression spring assembly has a rod that slidably receives a first stop, a compression spring, and a second stop. A limiter assembly is connected to the rod and has a limiting member that is received through a guide of a guide assembly that is connected to the rod. The guide encompasses the limiting member.