Agricultural Roller Segment with Integrated Coupling and Springing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural packer rollers face high wear and tear, requiring cost-efficient manufacturing and easy repair, especially when encountering stones or uneven ground surfaces, while existing solutions are not adequately addressing these needs.

Innovation Solution

A roller segment design featuring a central portion, radial portions, and a curved outer portion, with coupling parts allowing direct connection without intermediate components, enabling fewer components and simplified mounting on an axle, and a third radial portion for limited inward springing to reduce deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If roller segments are connected with intermediate parts, then the connection is more stable, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling parts are integrated directly into the radial portions of the roller segments, eliminating the need for separate intermediate connection components. This merging of functions reduces the total number of parts while maintaining the structural integrity and connection stability of the roller assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling parts serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, enable direct connection between radial portions, and facilitate assembly without requiring specialized intermediate components. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the roller is made with more components for better durability, then the reliability improves, but the ease of repair and manufacturing cost worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidfield repairability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The roller is divided into modular segments that can be independently replaced in the field. Each segment contains integrated coupling parts that allow for quick connection and disconnection, enabling farmers to repair the roller by simply replacing individual segments rather than the entire structure, thus maintaining durability while improving ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the radial portions are connected directly without intermediate parts, then the manufacturing cost and device complexity reduce, but the risk of deformation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling parts are merged with the radial portions themselves, creating a unified structural element that provides both connection functionality and structural support. This integration maintains structural stability while reducing the number of separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling parts are designed with composite structural features that combine rigidity for structural support with flexibility for stress distribution, preventing permanent deformation while maintaining direct connection between radial portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

The design reduces the risk of permanent deformation and allows for easier assembly and repair, enhancing the cost-efficiency and durability of the roller while maintaining effective soil compression.

Implementation Method 1

any soil and mud that gets stuck in or on the roller is continuously removed by the roller segments springing inward in the direction of the roller axle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

A third radial portion can be formed which extends radially inward from the free end of the outer portion to a free end of the second radial portion... The third radial portion can be moveable in a radial direction relative to the second radial portion... Consequentially, the outer portion is allowed to spring inward to a limited extent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic energy absorption: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3448141B1Roller segment. roller wheel roller and agricultural implement comprising such a roller

Publication Date: 2020.02.26 VAEDERSTAD HOLDING AB

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AI summary

The present document discloses a roller segment (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) for forming a roller wheel (1) rotatable about an axis of rotation for an agricultural implement, comprising a central portion (101), which is adapted for attaching to an axle (11), a first radial portion (102), which extends radially outward from a first end of the central portion (101), and a curved outer portion (103), which extends from a radially outer portion of the first radial portion (102). The roller segment further has a second radial portion (104), which extends radially outward from a second end of the central portion (101). The first radial portion (102) has a first coupling part (106). The second radial portion (104) has a second coupling part (107), which is located at the same radial distance from the central portion (101) as the first coupling part (106).