Piston Lock Pin Mechanism for Raised Feeder Holding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cylinder lock mechanisms for agricultural equipment are cumbersome, time-consuming to operate, and may not have sufficient strength to hold large modern headers and feeders.
Innovation Solution
A piston lock system comprising a first cylinder, a piston extending through the cylinder, a rod parallel to the piston, and a lock pin mounted to the rod receiver, which moves between an unlocked and locked position to prevent the piston and rod from retracting, thereby securing the feeder in the raised position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid rod lock with open slot is used to prevent piston retraction, then the feeder can be locked in raised position, but the mechanism becomes cumbersome and time-consuming to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The lock pin is made movable between locked and unlocked positions rather than being a fixed rigid structure. This dynamic element can be quickly positioned to engage or disengage from the rod, providing reliable locking while enabling fast operation without cumbersome manual manipulation of rigid components
Solution Approach 2:
The lock pin acts as an intermediary element between the rod receiver and the rod. It provides the locking function by intersecting the rod's path when engaged, while its movable nature allows quick engagement and disengagement, resolving the contradiction between reliable locking and ease of operation
2Productivity
If multiple cylinder locks are connected by pivot shaft to rotate out of plane, then simultaneous locking is achieved, but large clear space is required adjacent to cylinder assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating locks out of the plane of the cylinder assemblies (requiring large adjacent space), the lock pin moves along the axis of the rod within the rod receiver's longitudinal passage. This dimensional change allows simultaneous locking of multiple cylinders without requiring large clear spaces adjacent to the cylinder assemblies
Solution Approach 2:
The lock pin is nested within the rod receiver structure, moving along the longitudinal passage of the rod receiver. This nesting allows the locking mechanism to be compact and integrated within the existing cylinder assembly footprint, eliminating the need for additional external space
3Reliability
If traditional lock mechanisms are used, then locking function is provided, but sufficient strength is not available to hold large modern headers and feeders
Solution Approach 1:
The lock pin serves as a strong intermediary element that directly intersects and blocks the rod's path. By positioning the lock pin to intersect the rod's linear path within the rod receiver, it creates a direct load-bearing relationship that can handle the high forces from large modern headers and feeders, providing both reliability and sufficient mechanical strength
Data Source
AI summary
A piston lock system comprising: a cylinder, a rod receiver fixed to the cylinder, a piston slidably mounted to the cylinder, and a rod fixed to a free end of the piston and extending parallel to the piston to be located within the rod receiver. The piston and rod are movable relative to the cylinder and rod receiver between a retracted position and an extended position. A lock pin is mounted to the rod receiver and movable between a unlocked position in which the lock pin does not intersect a path of the rod, and a locked position in which the lock pin intersects the path of the rod and prevents the rod and piston from moving to the retracted position. Lock pins of multiple actuators can be connected to operate in unison.