Ploughshare Coupling for Tool-Free Secure Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural tools and support elements require time-consuming and difficult disassembly due to fouling, rust, and dirt, and often necessitate specific tools or risk loss, lacking versatility and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A device with a coupling member, such as a plate or slit, that securely attaches to the agricultural tool and support element, allowing easy assembly and disassembly without additional tools, ensuring robustness and versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fasteners (screws or bolts) are used to attach tools to support elements, then the connection is secure, but the attachment and detachment operations become time-consuming and require specific instrumentation
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is divided into separate components: a coupling portion with a coupling member (plate or slit-shaped element) and corresponding engagement features. This segmentation allows the tool to be quickly attached and detached without requiring complete disassembly of fasteners, resolving the contradiction between secure connection and quick replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling member acts as an intermediary element between the tool and support element. This intermediate component facilitates rapid attachment and detachment operations while maintaining secure connection during work, eliminating the need for specific instrumentation and reducing tool replacement time.
2Reliability
If locking means are provided to secure the tool to the adapter, then the tool does not disengage during work, but the locking means can get stuck due to fouling, rust, dirt, and mud
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the problematic locking means from the system and replaces them with a coupling member that uses geometric interlocking (plate or slit-shaped elements) rather than friction-based locking. This extraction eliminates the issue of locking means getting stuck due to fouling and rust while maintaining tool retention during work.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling member design allows the tool to be easily detached by simple manual manipulation without requiring additional instrumentation or complex locking mechanisms. The self-service nature of the coupling system prevents fouling and rust from affecting operation, resolving the contradiction between tool retention and ease of detachment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple supports with respective tools are used in the cultivator, then the agricultural work capability is enhanced, but the complexity of assembly and disassembly operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is designed as a universal interface that can be applied to multiple supports and various tool types. The standardized coupling portion and coupling member design allows the same mechanism to be used across all supports in the cultivator, enhancing work capability while reducing assembly complexity through consistency and repeatability.
Data Source
Figure 1~3E
Figure 4~6
Figure 7A~7E
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (100) for agricultural work, comprising an operating portion (1) intended to contact the soil for performing the work, a coupling portion (2) attached to the operating portion (1) and a coupling member (3) intended to be coupled to a support, wherein the coupling portion (2) comprises a lower surface (21) and at least one side surface (22) that connect the operating portion (1) to the lower surface (21) and wherein the coupling member (3) comprises a slit (35), intended to accommodate the coupling portion (2) when the device (100) is in use, and having a rear protruding portion (301) and a front protruding portion (302) which couple by interference the coupling portion (2) to the coupling member (3) in correspondence with the lower surface (21).