Haymaking Machine Rotor Connecting Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotors for haymaking machines face issues with assembly play and torque requirements, leading to premature wear and safety concerns due to inadequate tightening of oscillating arm parts, which complicates maintenance and operation.

Innovation Solution

The connecting device includes an insert with internal threads and a threaded element that screws into the insert, allowing for easy assembly with minimal deformation of parts, ensuring secure engagement without excessive force, thus eliminating assembly clearances and enhancing safety and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the bolt is tightened to a high torque to eliminate assembly play, then the mounting clearance between portions is reduced, but the engaging and engaged portions are strongly deformed making subsequent dismantling difficult or impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting clearance eliminationVSAvoiddismantling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The insert acts as an intermediary component between the bolt and the oscillating arm parts. It distributes the clamping force over a larger area through its shoulder, preventing localized deformation of the engaging and engaged portions while still eliminating assembly play. This mediator allows high torque application without damaging the parts that need to be dismantled later.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of repair

If the bolt is tightened to a low torque to avoid deformation, then the engaging portion can be easily dismantled, but the bolt may loosen unexpectedly during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedismantling easeVSAvoidbolt security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The insert with its shoulder provides a larger surface area for force distribution. This intermediary structure allows the bolt to be tightened to a torque that is sufficient to prevent loosening during operation while distributing the stress to avoid deformation of the oscillating arm parts, maintaining both security and ease of dismantling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a standard conventional spanner is used for tightening, then the tool is easily accessible, but the required torque cannot be applied with good precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool accessibilityVSAvoidtorque precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The insert structure with its shoulder and internal thread configuration creates a self-centering and self-aligning mechanism. This allows the bolt to be tightened accurately without requiring precision torque tools, as the insert geometry itself guides the bolt into proper alignment and distributes force evenly, enabling standard tools to achieve precise results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This solution facilitates easy assembly and secure engagement of oscillating arm parts, ensuring the rotor's durability and safety by eliminating operating clearances and reducing mechanical stresses during operation, making maintenance easier and safer.

Implementation Method 1

The threaded element is screwed into said internal thread and the shoulder of said threaded element rests on the engaged portion so as to tighten the engaged portion against the engaging portion along the geometric axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The connecting device comprises an insert with at least one internal thread and a threaded element having a geometric axis and provided with a shoulder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastener: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP2633748B1Haymaking machine
Publication Date: 2015.09.16 KUHN SA
  • EP2633748B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2633748B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2633748B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a rotor (11, 12) comprising a rotating housing (18) and at least one swing arm (19), said swing arm (19) comprising at least one internal part (20) connected to the housing (18) and an external part (21) carrying tools (13), one of the parts (20, 21) comprising an engaging portion (24) capable of partially engaging in an engaged portion (25) of the other part (20, 21), said portions (24, 25) each comprising at least one hole (28, 29, 30, 31) and capable of being assembled by means of a connecting device (32) comprising at least one threaded element (33, 34) with a shoulder (36, 37), said threaded element (33, 34) passing through each hole (28, 29, 30, 31) of said portions (24, 25).According to the invention, the linking device (32) comprises an insert (38) with at least one thread (39, 40) insertable inside the engaging portion (24), the threaded element (33, 34) is screwed into the thread (39, 40) and the shoulder (36, 37) rests on the engaged portion (25) to clamp the engaged portion (25) against the engaging portion (24).