Pivoting Grain Conveyor Holding Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Grain delivery conveyors in agricultural harvesting machines face challenges in being easily adjustable between raised and lowered positions, leading to potential damage from bouncing during rough terrain travel and height issues that prevent passage through doorways or under bridges.
Innovation Solution
A pivoting conveyor housing mechanism with a holding mechanism comprising linked components that securely position the conveyor in both raised and lowered configurations, allowing easy adjustment and secure locking to prevent movement during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the grain delivery conveyor is fixed at a high position to extend to the top of grain tank extensions, then the conveyor can deliver grain to the upper region of the tank, but the overall height of the machine becomes too great to allow movement through doorways or carrying on trailers
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor housing is made pivotable between a raised position for operation and a lowered position for transport, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to different operational requirements. This allows the conveyor to achieve the necessary height for grain delivery when needed while reducing the overall machine height for passage through doorways or under bridges.
2Length of stationary object
If the conveyor is lowered to reduce machine height for transport, then the machine can pass through doorways and under bridges, but the conveyor may bounce or move during travel over rough surfaces causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The holding mechanism utilizes the weight of the conveyor housing itself to engage the latching pins in the lowered position. The conveyor's own weight provides the force needed to lock it in place, eliminating the need for separate locking systems and ensuring stability during transport without adding complex external securing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching pins are extracted from the conveyor housing structure and positioned separately on the support structure. This allows the pins to be engaged or disengaged independently from the conveyor body, enabling easy locking and unlocking operations while maintaining the conveyor's stability when locked in the lowered position.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the conveyor is made pivotable to adjust height, then the machine can adapt between transport and operation modes, but the mechanism for holding the conveyor in fixed positions becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The holding mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the weight of the conveyor housing. When the conveyor is lowered, its weight automatically engages the latching pins to lock it in position. To release, the pins are simply pulled outward, providing a simple two-state mechanism without requiring motors, hydraulics, or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: latching pins for positioning, a support structure for mounting, and a release mechanism for disengagement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while maintaining reliability in the pivotable conveyor system.
Data Source
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AI summary
A grain delivery conveyor (12) and a mechanism (16) easily and quickly configurable in a first manner for holding the conveyor housing (18) in a first position, and in a second manner for holding the conveyor housing (18) in a second position. The mechanism (16) is connected between the conveyor housing (18) and an adjacent structure or frame (50, 52, 68), and includes a first link (64) pivotally connected to the frame (50, 52, 68), and a second link (74) pivotally connected to the conveyor housing (18), the first link (64) and the second link (64) being pivotally connected at a pivotal connection (88). The mechanism (16) is configured such that as the conveyor housing (18) is in the first position, the first and second links (64, 74) will be in a generally aligned relationship so as to hold the conveyor housing (18). The conveyor housing (18) can then be released by pivoting the second link (74) from the aligned relationship. When the conveyor housing (18)is in the second position, the links (64, 74) will be in overlapping relation so as to hold the conveyor housing (18). The conveyor housing (18) can be released by pivoting the second link (74). The mechanism (16) can be operated with one hand, and can include a handle (82) for convenience.