Resettable Plow Bottom with Spring-Loaded Trip Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current plow systems are inefficient due to the need for manual resetting of shear bolts after collisions with rocks, which disrupts the plowing process and reduces field coverage efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A resettable plow bottom assembly with a trip mechanism that automatically disengages upon striking a rock, using a spring to reengage the plow bottom, and an adjustable switch to control the threshold force for disengagement, allowing for automatic resetting and continuous plowing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If shear bolts are used to protect shanks from rock damage, then shank strength is preserved, but plowing efficiency decreases due to manual resetting time
Solution Approach 1:
The plow bottom is designed with a trip mechanism that automatically detects rocks and triggers disengagement without operator intervention. The system self-resets when the plow is lifted, eliminating the need for manual shear bolt replacement and maintaining continuous plowing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The trip mechanism is pre-configured with a threshold setting that anticipates rock encounters. When the plow bottom encounters resistance exceeding the threshold, the mechanism automatically triggers disengagement before damage can occur, preparing the system for safe resetting action.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual resetting of shear bolts is required after rock collision, then shank protection is achieved, but time loss increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic trip mechanism eliminates the need for operator intervention in the resetting process. The system automatically disengages and resets the plow bottom through the trip mechanism, converting a manual time-consuming task into an automatic self-service operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The trip mechanism is pre-adjusted with a threshold setting that predicts safe disengagement points. This preliminary configuration allows the system to automatically trigger resetting action at the optimal moment, minimizing time loss compared to reactive manual intervention.
3Ease of operation
If plow operator stops plowing to reset shanks, then shank reengagement is possible, but field coverage efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The trip mechanism performs the reengagement function automatically by triggering disengagement and enabling automatic resetting when the plow is lifted. This eliminates the need for the operator to stop, exit the tractor, and manually reengage shanks, maintaining continuous field coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The threshold-setting mechanism is pre-configured to anticipate safe resetting conditions. This preliminary action ensures that the automatic trip mechanism triggers at the optimal moment, allowing seamless reengagement without interrupting the plowing workflow and maintaining field coverage efficiency.
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
Enhances plowing efficiency by allowing the plow to automatically reset and reengage, reducing downtime and increasing area coverage with larger, angled shanks and adjustable threshold forces for selective object handling.
Implementation Method 1
a spring is used to reengage the plow bottom
Data Source
AI summary
A plow bottom is configured to be easily reset when striking a rock while plowing. The plow operator may set the force required for the plow bottom to disengage using the adjustment switch. Once the shank strikes an object, the plow bottom will disengage. The plow operator then lifts the plow assembly using the tractor to raise the plow bottoms out of the ground. A spring then forces the disengaged plow bottom to reengage. Once the plow bottom is reengaged, the plow operator lowers the plow assembly and continues plowing the land.