Laser-Cut Tube Joint with Interlocking Teeth for Foldable Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional agricultural implement frames require expensive and time-consuming welds for hinged joints, making it difficult to assemble and disassemble them efficiently while maintaining structural integrity, especially for larger implements that need to be reduced in size for manufacturing and shipping.
Innovation Solution
A tube joint design featuring overlaying ends with interlocking load transfer teeth and clamping fasteners, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without welding, using laser-cut interface surfaces and micro tabs for alignment and separation, enabling the frame to be folded and reassembled for reduced size transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If hinged joints with welds are used to connect tube members, then structural integrity is maintained, but manufacturing cost and assembly time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The tube member is segmented into overlaying ends with interface surfaces that can be separated and reconnected. The interface surfaces include teeth that engage with corresponding features on the opposing end, allowing the structure to be divided into manageable sections for assembly and disassembly while maintaining structural integrity through the interlocking tooth mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The welding process is replaced with a mechanical interlocking system using teeth and interface surfaces. Instead of using thermal welding to join tube members, the invention uses mechanically interlocking features that can be assembled and disassembled without welding equipment, significantly reducing assembly time and cost while maintaining structural strength.
2Strength
If hinged joints with welds are used to connect tube members, then structural integrity is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tube member is segmented into overlaying ends with interface surfaces that can be separated and reconnected. The interface surfaces include teeth that engage with corresponding features on the opposing end, allowing the structure to be divided into manageable sections for assembly and disassembly while maintaining structural integrity through the interlocking tooth mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The welding process is replaced with a mechanical interlocking system using teeth and interface surfaces. Instead of using thermal welding to join tube members, the invention uses mechanically interlocking features that can be assembled and disassembled without welding equipment, significantly reducing assembly time and cost while maintaining structural strength.
3Strength
If tube members are joined by welding, then structural integrity is achieved, but the frame cannot be easily disassembled for transport
Solution Approach 1:
The joint transitions from a static welded connection to a dynamic mechanical interlocking connection. The teeth and interface surfaces are designed to provide strong structural integrity when assembled, but can be easily disassembled when needed for transport or reconfiguration, giving the frame adaptability between operational and storage states.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube member is segmented into overlaying ends with interface surfaces that can be separated and reconnected. The interface surfaces include teeth that engage with corresponding features on the opposing end, allowing the structure to be divided into manageable sections for assembly and disassembly while maintaining structural integrity through the interlocking tooth mechanism.
4Area of stationary object
If large cultivating implements are manufactured, then field coverage increases, but shipping size requirements cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The implement frame is divided into multiple tube members with overlaying ends that can be disconnected. This segmentation allows the large frame designed for extensive field coverage to be broken down into smaller, more compact sections for shipping, then reassembled in the field to restore full operational size and coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint transitions from a static welded connection to a dynamic mechanical interlocking connection. The teeth and interface surfaces are designed to provide strong structural integrity when assembled, but can be easily disassembled when needed for transport or reconfiguration, giving the frame adaptability between operational and storage states.
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 tube joint provides a strong, reliable connection that reduces manufacturing costs and time by eliminating the need for welds, while maintaining structural integrity under heavy loads, facilitating efficient assembly and disassembly of large agricultural implements.
Implementation Method 1
The method includes cutting the beam with a laser into a first tube member and a second tube member
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural implement frame having at least one beam welded to additional components is formed by cutting the beam into a first tube member and a second tube member having an overlaying portion formed by overlaying ends of the first and second tube members. Each overlaying end has an overlaying wall and a base wall connected by opposing interface side walls. The laser cut forms interface surfaces in the interface side walls. The cut forms a plurality of interlocking load transfer teeth in the interface surfaces. Micro tabs are left uncut in the interface side walls to keep the first and second tube members aligned. The beam is then welded to other components of the implement frame. The micro tabs are broken to separate the first and second tube members so the frame may be folded. When joined, the interface surfaces contact and the interlocking load transfer teeth mesh.