Pivoting Multicoupler Cradle for Clean, Dry Connector Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage mechanisms for multicouplers on agricultural harvesters allow dirt, debris, and water to accumulate on the connectors, leading to spoilage and maintenance issues.

Innovation Solution

A multicoupler storage assembly with a cradle mechanism that securely stores the multicoupler on the header or combine, featuring a pivoting mechanism to prevent exposure to dirt, debris, and water, and a positive retention mechanism to ensure secure stowage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the multicoupler is stored in existing storage mechanisms, then the multicoupler can be kept on the header or combine, but dirt, debris, and water accumulate on the connectors causing spoilage and maintenance issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector reliabilityVSAvoiddirt, debris, and water accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a cradle mechanism with side walls and a bottom wall that form an enclosed storage space, protecting the multicoupler connectors from environmental contaminants. This enclosure acts as a physical barrier (shell) that prevents dirt, debris, and water from reaching the connectors during storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The cradle mechanism is designed to pivot between a horizontal storage position and a vertical transport position. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to optimize between protection (horizontal) and accessibility/transport (vertical), preventing contaminant accumulation while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the multicoupler storage mechanism is designed to protect connectors, then connectors remain clean and dry, but the mechanism complexity increases with pivoting and retention components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from dirt, debris, and waterVSAvoidcradle mechanism with pivoting and retention components

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage mechanism is divided into distinct functional components: the cradle structure with side walls and bottom wall for protection, the pivoting mechanism for position change, and the retention mechanism for securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system manageability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cradle mechanism utilizes gravity and its own structural design to achieve protection and retention functions. When positioned horizontally, the enclosed structure automatically protects connectors from contaminants without requiring additional active systems. The retention mechanism uses the cradle's own structure to secure the multicoupler, reducing the need for external complex retention systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12207593B2Quick storage cradle for combine multicoupler

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 BLUE LEAF I P INC

AI summary

An agricultural harvester including a header assembly, includes: a multicoupler storage assembly including: a multicoupler assembly including a plurality of at least one of hydraulic connectors and electrical connectors; and a cradle mechanism configured for storing the multicoupler assembly and for selectively pivoting between a receiving position associated with the cradle mechanism receiving the multicoupler assembly and a storage position associated with the cradle mechanism storing the multicoupler assembly.