Nested Pin Pivot Assembly for Agricultural Baler Serviceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural baler machines face challenges in efficiently forming and handling larger bales, particularly due to difficulties in constructing and assembling parts that are both functional and easily assembled and serviced.
Innovation Solution
The agricultural baler pivot assembly includes a tailgate pin, arm pin, and pivot roller, with specific bushings and bearings that allow for relative rotation between the frame, tailgate, arm, and pivot roller about a rotation axis, facilitating easier assembly and service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the tailgate and arm are mounted to the frame at different pivot locations, then assembly flexibility and roller placement flexibility are improved, but assembly complexity increases due to the need to install multiple parts at the same location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tailgate pivot and arm pivot functions into a single integrated pivot assembly. The tailgate pin and arm pin share common pivot locations with the frame, allowing both the tailgate and arm to be mounted at the same pivot points. This merging of functions reduces assembly complexity while maintaining the flexibility benefits of separate pivot locations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple parts are assembled at the same pivot location, then assembly flexibility is improved, but the difficulty of assembly and service increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pivot assembly into distinct modular components: the frame with its pivot locations, the tailgate with its own pivot mechanism, and the arm with its own pivot mechanism. Each component can be assembled and serviced independently at the shared pivot locations, reducing the difficulty of assembly and service while maintaining assembly flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the pivot assembly so that the tailgate and arm can be pre-assembled with their respective pivot mechanisms before being installed on the frame. This preliminary preparation of components simplifies the final assembly process at the pivot locations, reducing the overall difficulty of assembly and service.
3Productivity
If the baler geometry is changed to form larger bales, then bale size capacity is improved, but device complexity and reconfiguration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic pivot assembly that allows the tailgate and arm to rotate independently about common pivot locations. This dynamic configuration enables the baler to accommodate larger bales through the rotational movement of existing components rather than requiring geometric reconfiguration, maintaining device simplicity while increasing bale size capacity.
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
This configuration enables the formation of larger bales without significant changes to the baler's geometry, improves assembly and serviceability, and simplifies the alignment and securing of parts.
Implementation Method 1
a tailgate bushing positioned radially between the tailgate bore and the first outer face of the tailgate pin to support the tailgate for rotational movement relative to the tailgate pin about the rotation axis
Implementation Method 2
a first arm pin bushing positioned radially between the tailgate pin bore and the first outer face portion of the first arm pin to support the first arm pin for rotational movement relative to the first tailgate pin about the rotation axis
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural baler pivot assembly having: a tailgate pin extending along a rotation axis and having a tailgate pin bore extending along the rotation axis, a first outer face portion extending along the rotation axis and a second outer face portion extending along the rotation axis; a tailgate bushing configured to receive and rotationally support the outer face of the tailgate pin; an arm pin having a respective first outer face portion extending along the rotation axis and a respective second outer face portion extending along the rotation axis; and an arm pin bushing configured to fit radially between the tailgate pin bore and the first outer face portion of the arm pin and support the arm pin for rotational motion relative to the tailgate pin about the rotation axis. Agricultural balers including a pivot assembly and methods for assembling the pivot assembly are also provided.