Modular Stirring Device for Agricultural Spreaders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seed drill stirring devices pose a risk of injury to operators due to protruding edges or meshes that can catch hands or tools, and they often fail to effectively handle fine seeds like grass seed, leading to incomplete dispersion.
Innovation Solution
A modular stirring device with disc-shaped elements that are edge-free and can be supplemented by a flexible, wire-shaped second component that deforms and detaches upon encountering obstacles, ensuring operator safety and effective seed dispersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If stirring elements are designed with protruding edges or meshes to enhance stirring effect, then stirring effectiveness is improved, but operator safety deteriorates due to risk of entanglement and injury
Solution Approach 1:
The stirring element is divided into two separate components: a first component with a disc-shaped base element that provides structural support, and a second component with wire-shaped stirring elements that provide mixing action. This segmentation allows each component to have optimized characteristics - the base element provides safety by being edge-free, while the wire elements provide stirring effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the stirring element have different properties: the disc-shaped base element has a smooth, edge-free surface for safety, while the wire-shaped second component has protruding elements for effective stirring. This local differentiation of qualities resolves the contradiction between safety and stirring effectiveness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If disc-shaped stirring elements are used to improve operator safety, then operator injury risk is reduced, but stirring effectiveness deteriorates for fine seeds
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two types of stirring elements into a single composite structure: the safe disc-shaped base element and the effective wire-shaped stirring elements. This combination allows the stirring device to achieve both operator safety and effective stirring of fine seeds simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The stirring element uses a composite structure combining a rigid disc-shaped base (first component) with flexible wire elements (second component). This composite design integrates the safety advantages of disc-shaped elements with the stirring effectiveness of wire elements, resolving the contradiction between safety and performance.
3Productivity
If a flexible second stirring component is added to improve stirring of fine seeds, then stirring effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second wire-shaped stirring component is nested on top of the first disc-shaped component, with the wire elements extending upward from the base element. This nested arrangement adds stirring functionality without requiring a completely separate mounting structure, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite stirring element serves multiple functions: the disc-shaped base provides structural support and safety, while the wire elements provide enhanced stirring for fine seeds. This multi-functionality is achieved within a single integrated component that attaches to existing stirring shafts, avoiding significant increases in device complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If stirring elements are made detachable to improve adaptability for different seeds, then versatility is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential detachment under load
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the two components uses a dynamic fastening system that allows for controlled detachment. The fastening element can be easily inserted and removed for adaptability, while the deformation capability of the wire elements provides a safety mechanism that prevents catastrophic failure under excessive load, thus maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire-shaped second component is designed to deform under excessive load before complete detachment occurs. This deformation acts as a cushioning mechanism that absorbs shock and prevents sudden, dangerous detachment, while still allowing intentional detachment for seed type changes.
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 significantly reduces the risk of operator injury and ensures reliable seed dispersion, even with fine seeds, by allowing the second component to detach and reuse without damaging the device, enhancing both safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The second stirring element component, which rotates with the stirring shaft, deforms upon reaching and/or exceeding a torque limit by striking an obstacle, such that it detaches from the stirring shaft and/or the first stirring element component
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Agricultural distribution machine for spreading seed and/or fertilizer, comprising at least one storage container (1) for storing the seed and/or fertilizer to be spread, at least one discharge area (2) arranged in the lower area of the storage container (1) with at least one metering device (3) arranged in the area of the discharge area (2) for feeding the material to be spread into conveying lines (4) leading to spreading elements, wherein a rotating driven stirring device (5) is arranged in the lower area of the storage container (1) above the at least one metering device (3) and the stirring device (5) is equipped with at least one stirring element (7).In order to provide a stirring device (5) with at least one stirring element (7) which has a significantly reduced risk of injury to the operator and at the same time achieves a sufficiently reliable stirring effect even with fine seeds, it is provided that the at least one stirring element (7) is modularly constructed from at least a first (8) and a second (9) stirring element component.