Agricultural Rotor Tool Holder with Spring-Mounted Tooth Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural machines, such as rotary harrrows and lawnmowers, face challenges with tool wear, non-uniform tool replacement, and complex assembly processes due to the need for specific left and right tools, leading to increased costs and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a rotor with a tool holder and rapid fixing means, including a spring-mounted tooth, allows for easy and tool-free insertion and removal of tools, ensuring secure retention even under processing forces, and enabling the use of interchangeable tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If tools are constructed with high mass from non-sophisticated materials, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but energy consumption increases due to higher rotating masses
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is segmented into two distinct parts: a reusable shank made of sophisticated high-strength material and a replaceable blade made of non-sophisticated material. This segmentation allows the blade to be replaced independently when worn, preventing the need to replace the entire heavy tool assembly, thereby reducing energy consumption associated with rotating masses while maintaining manufacturing cost efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Different materials with appropriate properties are applied to different parts of the tool: the shank uses sophisticated high-strength materials to withstand mechanical stresses, while the blade uses non-sophisticated materials that are adequate for soil processing. This local quality approach optimizes both cost and performance, allowing lighter overall construction without compromising strength where needed
2Ease of operation
If left and right tools are constructed with different profiles and bent portions, then proper fitting to rotor positions is achieved, but assembly errors increase and tool interchangeability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shank is designed with asymmetric features including a bent portion and specific profile characteristics that enable proper fitting to designated rotor positions. This asymmetry ensures correct installation orientation while the standardized interface allows interchangeable use between left and right tools, resolving the contradiction between proper fitting and interchangeability
Solution Approach 2:
The shank is designed as a universal component that can be used on both left and right rotor positions through standardized interfaces and attachment mechanisms. The asymmetric blade profiles are separately designed for specific positions, but the common shank allows flexibility in tool configuration and replacement, achieving both proper fitting and interchangeability
3Reliability
If screw and bolt fixing is used to attach blade to shank, then secure retention is achieved, but replacement time increases and operation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing mechanism is extracted and simplified to a single spring-mounted tooth that engages with a corresponding feature on the shank. This eliminates the need for multiple screws and bolts, allowing rapid one-handed operation for blade replacement while maintaining secure retention through the spring-loaded engagement that provides automatic locking and release capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-mounted fixing tooth provides self-service functionality by automatically engaging with the shank feature to secure the blade during operation and allowing automatic release when manual pressure is applied. The spring mechanism maintains constant engagement force without requiring additional fastening operations, achieving secure retention with minimal intervention for replacement
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
This solution reduces tool replacement costs, simplifies the assembly process, and allows for the use of lighter, high-performance materials, resulting in lower energy consumption and improved efficiency in soil processing.
Implementation Method 1
rapid fixing means including at least one respective spring-mounted tooth which is mounted on the seat so as to interfere with the shank when it is inserted in the seat in order to retain it there
Implementation Method 2
The rapid fixing means and the shank are formed so as to urge the tooth out of the seat counter to the resilient element by interference between the tooth and shank
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An agricultural machine comprises at least one rotor (1) which is rotatably supported about an axis (X). The rotor (1) includes a tool holder (4) which extends transversely relative to the axis (X) of the rotor (1) and at least one tool (5) which is removably secured to the tool holder (4). Each tool (5) includes a blade (6) and a shank (7), with which the blade (6) is fixed in a respective seat (8) of the tool holder (4). Rapid fixing means are provided between the seat (8) and the tool (5) in order to secure the shank (7) of the tool in the seat (8). The rapid fixing means include at least one respective spring-mounted tooth (11, 16) which is mounted on the seat (8) so as to interfere with the shank (7) when it is inserted in the seat (8) in order to retain it there.