Mower Conditioner Guide Element Attachment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wide spreading devices for mower conditioners are difficult to use, as attachment points upstream are hard to access, making it challenging for a single person to attach or remove guide elements quickly and efficiently.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates L-shaped recesses in components for easy insertion and fixation of guide elements, allowing for attachment and removal without additional fastening means, utilizing a system where holders are inserted through these recesses and secured with clamping elements or interference fits, enabling single-person operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If guide elements are bolted to components of the mower conditioner via holders using conventional methods, then the guide elements are securely attached, but the attachment points located upstream are difficult to access, making it difficult to tighten or loosen the screw connections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachment of guide elementsVSAvoidaccessibility of attachment points

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional attachment approach by providing openings in the component through which the holder is inserted, rather than approaching the attachment point from the upstream side. This allows the operator to access and operate the fastening elements from the downstream side, making attachment and removal straightforward without requiring access to upstream areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If guide elements are firmly attached to the wide spreading device, then they provide stable crop guidance, but individual guide elements cannot be attached or removed quickly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestable crop guidanceVSAvoidtime to attach or remove guide elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic attachment system where guide elements can be quickly inserted and removed through the openings in the component. The holder design with insertion through openings and fastening from the accessible downstream side enables rapid attachment and removal operations, reducing the time required to change or maintain guide elements while maintaining secure attachment during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the holder is inserted through openings in the component, then installation is easier and accessible from downstream, but additional fastening means are required at the downstream end

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidfastening system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the holder function with the guide element by forming the holder as an integral part of the guide element itself. The holder is formed by bending the guide element at one end to create a right angle, eliminating the need for separate fastening means. This integration simplifies the overall structure while maintaining ease of installation through the openings in the component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2387871B2Mower conditioner with spreading function

Publication Date: 2017.12.27 DEERE & CO

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

The mower-conditioner comprises guiding elements (26), which protrude in the flow of material and through which the direction of the crop is influenced. Each guide element is fastened at a component (28) of the mower-conditioner by a holder. Openings (34) are introduced at the component, through which the holder is inserted into the component.