Roller Assembly with Internal Suspension for Seed Drills
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional roller assemblies for agricultural machinery are complex and bulky due to the need to adapt to irregular terrain and road profiles, with existing shock absorbers increasing the vertical distance and bulk, making them inefficient for navigating diverse surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The roller assembly incorporates suspension levers housed inside the tube, acted upon by resilient recoil members, allowing for pivotable movement and reducing the height between the roller's rotation axis and the machine's frame, while also enabling freely rotatable tires and optional braking systems for improved adaptability and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional shock absorbers are used to adapt to irregular terrain, then the roller assembly can navigate diverse surfaces, but the vertical distance and bulk between the roller and frame increase
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension lever is housed inside the tube, with the resilient recoil member nested within the suspension lever structure. This nesting arrangement allows the suspension mechanism to be contained within the roller assembly's existing volume, eliminating the need for external shock absorbers that increase vertical distance and bulk.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using external shock absorbers that extend vertically, the invention relocates the suspension mechanism into the horizontal dimension by housing it inside the tube. The suspension lever pivots about a first rotation axis while the tube rotates about a second rotation axis, utilizing internal spatial arrangement to achieve terrain adaptation without increasing vertical bulk.
2Length of stationary object
If the suspension mechanism is housed inside the tube, then the height between the roller rotation axis and the frame is reduced, but the mechanical complexity of the internal arrangement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tube serves multiple functions: it acts as the structural support for the roller, contains the suspension mechanism, and provides the braking surface for the braking member. The suspension lever simultaneously provides suspension function and supports the shaft end that carries the flange. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall structure despite the compact arrangement.
3Ease of operation
If two rollers are used instead of one wide roller, then turning friction is reduced and maneuverability improves, but the overall width and structural complexity of the assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wide roller is divided into two separate narrower rollers arranged in axial alignment. Each roller has its own suspension mechanism housed inside its tube, allowing independent rotation and suspension action. This segmentation improves turning maneuverability by reducing the contact width with the ground while the modular design with identical components on each side maintains structural simplicity.
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 design enhances the roller assembly's ability to adapt to ground irregularities and road profiles, reducing height and bulk, resulting in a more compact and mechanically simplified structure that improves navigation and reduces friction during turns.
Implementation Method 1
each arm carries a suspension lever housed inside the tube and acted upon by a resilient recoil member
Data Source
AI summary
A roller assembly for agricultural machinery is disclosed. The roller assembly includes at least one tube onto which tires are threaded, and two arms adapted to support the tube in rotation at both its ends. Each arm carries a suspension lever housed inside the tube and acted upon by a resilient recoil member. The suspension lever is mounted on the arm so as to be pivotable about a first rotation axis and supporting a shaft end which carries a flange fixed to the inside of the tube for the rotation of this tube about a second rotation axis parallel to the first rotation axis. The roller assembly applies particularly to the rollers of seed drills.