Module Catching Mechanism for Secure Top-Access Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mounting volumes in agricultural machines are often limited and difficult to access, making the installation or replacement of modules cumbersome and prone to unauthorized access, especially for sensitive electronics.

Innovation Solution

Agricultural machines are equipped with a cabin-mounted hatch providing access to a trough-shaped mounting volume, featuring a catching mechanism with L-shaped threading elements that guide modules into precise positions using slots and protrusions for secure fixation, protecting against environmental impacts and unauthorized access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mounting volume is made accessible only from the top side through a hatch in the cabin floor, then protection against unauthorized access and environmental impacts is improved, but the ease of installation and replacement of modules deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against unauthorized accessVSAvoidease of installation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The catching mechanism with L-shaped threading elements and slots enables the module to self-position and self-align during insertion through the hatch. The threading elements engage with the slots to automatically guide the module into its correct position, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures or additional positioning tools, thus maintaining ease of installation while ensuring secure protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the mounting volume is enclosed and accessible only through a hatch, then protection against environmental impacts is improved, but the ease of accessing the mounting volume for module installation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against environmental impactsVSAvoidease of accessing mounting volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The catching mechanism is pre-configured with L-shaped threading elements positioned to engage with slots in the module housing. This preliminary arrangement ensures that as soon as the module is inserted through the hatch, the threading elements automatically engage and guide the module into its final position, making the access process simple and intuitive while maintaining the enclosed protective environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If a catching mechanism with L-shaped threading elements is used for module fixation, then manufacturing precision and positioning accuracy are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catching mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: L-shaped threading elements for engagement, slots for guidance, and fixation points for securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, achieving high positioning accuracy through the coordinated action of these simple, well-defined parts while keeping the overall device complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4603337A1Catching mechanism for mounting modules in an agricultural machine
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 AGCO INT GMBH
  • EP4603337A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4603337A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4603337A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

An agricultural machine (100) is equipped with a cabin (102), a mounting volume (104) arranged below the cabin (102), a hatch (108) for providing access to the mounting volume (104) from a top side and a catching mechanism (204) for mounting at least one module (208, 214, 220) in the mounting volume (104).