Modular Tipper With Pivotable Loading Body And Detachable Extension Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transfer carts for field crops are typically designed for specific crops, leading to high investment costs due to limited usage periods and poor visibility from tractor vehicles, making it difficult to monitor and adjust crop transfer.

Innovation Solution

A versatile transfer cart with a pivotable loading body and detachable extension modules, including a transfer arm, that can be adjusted for different crops, improving visibility and allowing for modular use across various field crops.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the transfer cart is designed for one specific field crop, then the transfer performance for that crop is optimized, but the investment cost increases due to limited usage period

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer performanceVSAvoidusage period

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer cart is divided into a base unit and detachable crop-specific modules. Each module can be removed and replaced depending on the crop being harvested, allowing the core structure to remain while only the specialized components are changed. This segmentation enables the system to maintain optimized performance for each crop while significantly extending the overall usage period of the investment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base transfer cart structure is designed with universal features that can accommodate multiple crop types through module attachments. The universal base unit provides common functions for all crops, while detachable modules provide crop-specific optimizations. This multi-functionality allows a single investment to serve multiple purposes across different harvesting seasons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If the loading body tilts around a front side with the rear side ending up higher, then the transfer function is improved, but the view of transfer from the tractor vehicle becomes very limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer functionVSAvoidview of transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of tilting the loading body forward with the rear side higher, the system tilts the loading body backward with the front side higher. This inverted approach maintains the transfer function by allowing crops to be moved upward while simultaneously improving the operator's view of the transfer process from the tractor vehicle, as the higher front side provides better visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a detachable extension module is provided at the front side of the loading body, then the versatility for different field crops is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveversatility for different cropsVSAvoidmodular structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into a standardized base unit and interchangeable modules with uniform coupling mechanisms. The coupling device uses a standardized interface that simplifies the attachment and detachment process, reducing the operational complexity despite the modular design. This segmentation allows for easy module replacement without requiring complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling device incorporates dynamic elements that automatically adjust during module attachment and detachment. The coupling mechanism can accommodate slight misalignments and automatically locks into position, reducing the skill level required for module changes. This dynamic capability simplifies the user interaction with the modular system despite the increased structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 enables efficient and flexible use of the transfer cart across multiple crops, reducing investment costs and enhancing the ability to monitor and adjust crop transfer from the tractor vehicle.

Implementation Method 1

a loading body (3) pivotable around a rear side (5a) of the chassis (5)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPivoting: Hinge

Implementation Method 2

adjusting elements, such as hydraulic cylinders, are provided at the front side of the tipper between the loading body and the chassis, to pivot the loading body with respect to the chassis by pushing the front side of the loading body upwards

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic force: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP3544855B1Modular tipper, extension module, system of tipper and extension module

Publication Date: 2022.03.23 BLUM MACHINERY BVBA

Figure 1A~2B
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4C

AI summary

Tipper (1), in particular a transfer cart or a self-propelled transfer cart, for field crops, comprising a chassis (5) with at least one pair of locomotion elements (8); a loading body (3) pivotable with respect to a rear side of the chassis; wherein at the front side of the loading body a coupling device (12) is provided for detachably coupling an extension module (2), wherein the extension module (2) is configured to cooperate with a coupling device (4) of the tipper (1).