S-Shaped Arm Torsion Spring for Track Marker Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing track markers for agricultural machines, such as seed drills, require significant assembly work due to their configuration of a separate safety element, which complicates the installation process.
Innovation Solution
The safety element is integrated into the arm of the track marker, forming a torsion spring by bending a part of the arm to act as a lever arm, simplifying assembly and design, with the marker disc mounted on a bearing element and the arm between the joint and S-shaped area acting as a torsion spring element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate safety element (leaf spring) is used, then the marker can provide resilient safety function, but the assembly work and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the safety element function directly into the arm structure by creating an integrated S-shaped design. The arm itself forms the cantilever beam with resilient properties, eliminating the need for separate safety elements like leaf springs. This merging of functions reduces the number of components and simplifies assembly while maintaining the required safety and resilient characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components (arm, safety element, bearing) are used, then the marker can provide required functions, but the number of parts and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The arm and safety element are merged into a single integrated S-shaped component, reducing multiple parts into one. The bearing element is also integrated into the arm structure rather than being a separate assembly. This consolidation maintains all required functions (support, resilience, rotation) while significantly reducing the total number of parts and assembly steps.
3Reliability
If a separate leaf spring is fastened with screw elements, then the safety element can be secured, but the assembly work and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The safety element is merged into the arm structure itself through the S-shaped design, eliminating the need for separate fastening operations with screw elements. The integrated design provides inherent securing through the continuous material structure, dramatically reducing assembly time while maintaining or improving reliability through the monolithic construction.
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 integrated design reduces assembly complexity and enhances the resilient properties of the track marker, allowing it to function effectively with greater ease and efficiency, while maintaining the necessary torque and stability for the marker disc.
Implementation Method 1
the part of the arm located between the joint and the S-shaped area is designed as a torsion spring element
Implementation Method 2
The arm 4 consists of a flat steel bar with resilient properties
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A ridge-marking device (1) for agricultural machines, such as sowing machines and tillage implements, wherein the ridge-marking device has an arm (4) which is arranged on the frame of the machine by means of a joint (2) and, at the end thereof facing away from the joint, bears a ridge-marking element (8), wherein an elastic safety element is provided between the joint of the arm and the ridge-marking element. In order to provide a ridge-marking device with a simplified elastic safety element, it is provided that the arm is of S-shaped configuration in the vicinity of the ridge-marking element, that the arm consists of a flat steel bar having resilient properties, and that the central web of the S-shaped region is arranged so as to run upright in the operating position of the ridge-marking device.