Removable Scale With Top-Access Locking For Harvester Floors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing berry harvesting machines face difficulties in quickly and easily replacing damaged scales on their articulated floors, as the fasteners are inaccessible from above, making maintenance cumbersome, especially in adverse weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A removable scale design consisting of two parts: a first anchoring and articulation part with a fixing lug and a second flat part, featuring complementary rapid assembly and disassembly means with an automatic locking device accessible from the top, allowing for easy interchange without removing the flexible hinge bracket from the ramp.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the scale is made as a single piece with integrated fixing lug, then the structure is simpler, but the fasteners become inaccessible for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The scale is divided into two separate parts: a first part comprising the fixing lug and anchoring elements, and a second part comprising the scale shell. This segmentation allows the fasteners to be accessible from above the row of scales, enabling easy maintenance and replacement without requiring the repairer to lie down on the ground. The complementary means of assembly and disassembly allow these parts to be quickly connected and disconnected.
2Reliability
If the scale uses a complex fastening system like silentbloc or hinged floor, then the attachment is more secure, but the maintenance becomes extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the scale into two parts with complementary assembly means, the design maintains secure attachment while making fasteners accessible from above. The complementary means include interlocking elements that provide reliable connection without hiding fasteners underneath the scale shell.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of hiding fasteners underneath the scale shell as in conventional designs, this invention positions the fastening mechanisms on the upper side or makes them accessible from above. The first part with fixing lug is designed to be visible and accessible, allowing maintenance personnel to work on fasteners from the top side of the articulated floor.
3Strength
If the scale uses thick shell material to resist shocks and wear, then the durability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The scale is divided into functional parts: the first part (fixing lug and anchoring) and the second part (scale shell). This allows each part to be optimized independently - the shell can be thinner and less expensive while the fixing mechanism provides the necessary strength and shock resistance through proper design of the anchoring elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire scale shell thick and expensive, the design applies thickness and material strength locally where needed - in the anchoring elements and fixing lugs that bear the load. The scale shell itself can be made thinner and more cost-effective while maintaining overall durability through strategic reinforcement at critical stress points.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~4
AI summary
The scale has a plane part (2) and an anchoring and articulation part (1) including a fixation tab fixed on a carrying ramp (3) of a row of scales, where the tab has holes forming a passage for rods of an assembling unit e.g. bolt, of the articulation part. A flexible assembling and articulation tab is attached with the fixation tab. The parts are provided with a rapid complementary assembling and disassembling unit including an automatic locking device in an assembling position. A fixation block (10) has a vertical slit (11), and is provided in assembling units of the parts.