Quarter Turn Spring-Loaded Lock for Agricultural Baler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural balers with quarter turn units are cumbersome to rotate and lock between field and road transport positions, often requiring manual effort and tools.
Innovation Solution
A spring-loaded lock arrangement allows the quarter turn to be easily pivoted and locked into the transport position without tools, utilizing a snap fit mechanism with a biasing arrangement to secure the lock plate over a latch pin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bolt and lock nut arrangement is used to lock the quarter turn in transport position, then the quarter turn can be secured during road transport, but the device becomes heavy and awkward to rotate and lock
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded latch automatically engages with the locking hole when the quarter turn is pivoted to the transport position, eliminating the need for manual operation of bolts and lock nuts. The system serves itself by using the movement of the quarter turn to trigger the locking action, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliable locking and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual bolt and lock nut mechanical system is replaced with a spring-loaded latch mechanism that uses elastic potential energy to provide automatic locking. This substitution reduces the complexity and manual effort required while maintaining secure locking during transport.
2Device complexity
If a simple pipe frame member is used for the quarter turn, then the structure is simple, but it is heavy and awkward to rotate and lock into position
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded latch mechanism automatically engages when the quarter turn is pivoted to the transport position, eliminating the need for manual locking operations. This self-service feature resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple pipe structure while dramatically improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The static pipe structure is enhanced with a dynamic spring-loaded latch that activates during the pivoting motion. This adds minimal complexity to the simple pipe frame while enabling easy, tool-free locking and unlocking operations.
3Ease of operation
If manual pivoting and locking is used, then the quarter turn can be positioned, but it requires tools and significant manual effort
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded latch automatically engages with the locking hole during the pivoting motion, eliminating the time-consuming manual bolt and lock nut operation. The system performs the locking action itself as part of the positioning movement, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-loaded to store elastic potential energy, which is automatically released to engage the latch in the correct position during pivoting. This preliminary preparation of the spring mechanism enables rapid, tool-free locking without requiring manual intervention or additional time.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables quick and tool-free conversion between field and transport positions, enhancing operational efficiency and safety during transportation.
Implementation Method 1
The transport lock further includes a biasing arrangement for biasing the third hole in the plate toward the latch pin when the latch pin is positioned within the third hole.
Data Source
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AI summary
An agricultural baler (10) includes a frame (16), and a quarter turn (12) attached to the frame (16). The quarter turn (12) is characterized by a transport lock (32) associated with a lateral end (26) of the quarter turn (12) for locking the quarter turn (12) in a transport position. The transport lock (32) includes a lock plate (34) with a first hole (36) receiving a first fastener (38) at one pivot location (30), a second hole (48) receiving a second fastener (42) attached to and extending from a respective lateral end or the frame (16), and a third hole (44) for receiving a latch pin (46) extending from the other respective lateral end or frame (16). The transport lock (32) further includes a biasing arrangement (54) for biasing the third hole (44) in the lock plate (34) toward the latch pin (46) when the latch pin (46) is positioned within the third hole (44).