Mixing Auger Blade Mounting Plate for Quick, Safe Replacement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The process of replacing and adjusting blades on mixing augers in feed mixer wagons is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and poses a risk of injury due to the confined space and difficult screw connections.
Innovation Solution
A quick-change blade device for mixing augers, featuring a mounting plate with releasable locking elements and complementary receiving elements, allows for easy attachment and detachment of blades, with optional integral formation with the auger, and includes a tool lever for safe and efficient blade replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional screw connections are used to attach blades to mixing augers, then the blades can be securely fixed, but the replacement and adjustment process becomes extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is segmented into modular components: the blade itself, a mounting plate with receiving elements, and a separate locking element. This segmentation allows the locking mechanism to be independently operated without affecting other parts, enabling quick release without tools while maintaining secure fixation during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element is designed to be manually movable between locked and unlocked positions. In the locked position, it engages with the receiving element to secure the blade; in the unlocked position, it releases the blade for quick removal. This dynamic mechanism transforms the static screw connection into a controllable, tool-free locking system.
2Reliability
If conventional screw connections are used for blade attachment, then secure fixation is achieved, but the difficulty of loosening screws increases over time requiring cutting or drilling
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional screw-thread mechanical connection is replaced with a direct engagement system: the locking element engages with the receiving element through simple geometric interlocking features (protrusions and recesses). This substitution eliminates threaded holes and screw loosening operations, allowing the blade to be released by simply moving the locking element without tools.
3Ease of operation
If mechanics work in confined feed mixer hopper space, then blade replacement is possible, but the risk of injury increases due to proximity to blades
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element acts as an intermediary mechanism that allows the operator to control the blade from a safer position. The operator manipulates the locking element (which can be accessed from outside or with minimal exposure) rather than directly handling the blade in the confined, dangerous space. This intermediary approach reduces the need for close proximity to the cutting edge during replacement operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If additional holes are provided for angle adjustment, then blade positioning flexibility is improved, but the complexity of adjustment increases requiring screw loosening and retightening
Solution Approach 1:
The angle adjustment capability is segmented into discrete, pre-defined positions corresponding to different hole locations on the mounting plate. The locking element can be quickly moved between these positions without tool intervention. Each hole represents a predetermined angle option, and the operator simply relocates the locking element to the desired position, eliminating the need for screw loosening and retightening for each adjustment.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a quick-change blade device 10 for a mixing auger 20 of a feed mixer wagon 1, a mixing auger 20 and a feed mixer wagon 1, as well as a method for releasably fixing a blade 100 to a mixing auger 20. The quick-change blade device 10 comprises a blade 100 and a mounting plate 300, wherein the blade 100 can be releasably fixed to the mounting plate 300. The mounting plate has at least one blade receiving element 360 and at least one locking element 380, and the blade 100 has at least one complementary receiving element 160 and at least one complementary locking element 189.The knife 100 and the mounting plate 300 are arranged for the detachable fixing of the knife 100 to the mounting plate 300 such that the knife 100 with the complementary receiving element 160 can be pushed onto the knife receiving element 360 in a mounting direction A, so that the complementary receiving element 160 abuts the knife receiving element 360, and that the locking element 380 can lock with the complementary locking element 189, so that a movement of the knife against the mounting direction A is blocked when the complementary receiving element 160 abuts the knife receiving element 360.