Planter Coupling Frame Segmented Anchor Plates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing single-grain seeders require costly and time-consuming manipulation to adapt from even to odd row configurations, limiting the ease of adjusting sowing element positions due to fixed anchor plates that restrict the movement of central elements.

Innovation Solution

The anchoring plates are positioned halfway between the median vertical plane and the lower attachment plane, allowing greater flexibility and ease in moving central sowing elements to adjust spacing between rows, enabling quick adaptation from even to odd and vice versa configurations without the need for disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If anchor plates are welded to the cross beam to provide direct connection, then structural strength is improved, but the ability to move carriages along the cross beam is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidadjustability of sowing element positions
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor plates are segmented from the cross beam structure, positioned independently in the vicinity of the mean plane rather than being welded directly to the cross beam. This segmentation allows carriages to move along the cross beam while anchor plates remain in their optimized positions for structural support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mean plane acts as an intermediary reference between the cross beam and the anchor plates. By positioning anchor plates in the vicinity of this mean plane, the design creates a reference framework that maintains structural integrity while allowing movement of sowing elements along the cross beam.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If central elements are dismantled to place them beyond anchor plates for odd row configuration, then adaptability to different row configurations is improved, but operational time and labor cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration adaptabilityVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static, fixed configuration to a dynamic, adjustable configuration. Carriages can be freely moved along the cross beam to adapt between even and odd row configurations without dismantling, enabling quick reconfiguration while maintaining structural integrity through the anchor plates positioned in the mean plane.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If anchor plates are positioned to provide direct connection, then structural simplicity is improved, but the range of movement for central elements is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection simplicityVSAvoidease of moving sowing elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the structure have different functions: anchor plates are positioned in the vicinity of the mean plane to provide structural support, while the cross beam maintains its ability to allow carriage movement. This local differentiation of functions resolves the conflict between structural simplicity and operational ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2430896B1Planter with an improved coupling frame
Publication Date: 2013.07.03 KUHN SA
  • EP2430896B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2430896B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2430896B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The seeder (1) has a hitching frame (4) connected to a chassis (2) using an upper crosspiece (9) and hooking plates (10). An upper link pin (6) is extended in bottom and both sides of a vertical median plane (11). The hooking plates are extended near a mid plane (13) extending at mid-distance between a median vertical plane and a underlying plane (14), where the mid plane and the underlying plane are parallel to the median vertical plane. The hooking plates are extended near an additional seed unit (19).