Sealing Disc with Soil Buildup Reducing Features
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional strip-till machines experience soil buildup on the concave surface of sealer discs, leading to reduced effectiveness in berm formation and increased maintenance, particularly in wetter soil conditions.
Innovation Solution
A disc design with a reduced concave surface area, featuring surface-area reducing features such as holes or inserts made of low-soil-adhesion materials, to minimize soil accumulation and maintain efficient berm formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional sealer disc with a full concave surface is used, then the disc can effectively push and redirect soil for berm formation, but soil builds up rapidly on the concave surface especially in wet conditions, reducing effectiveness and increasing maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes portions of the concave surface material to create openings, extracting the problematic surface area where soil accumulates. This allows soil to pass through rather than building up on the disc surface, while the remaining structure continues to push and redirect soil for effective berm formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous concave surface is segmented into multiple sections by removing material to create openings. This segmentation prevents soil from accumulating across the entire surface by breaking up the continuous accumulation path, allowing soil to fall through gaps rather than building up.
2Loss of time
If the concave surface area of the disc is reduced to prevent soil build-up, then maintenance time decreases and soil accumulation is minimized, but the disc's ability to push and redirect soil may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The disc design applies different properties to different areas: the remaining concave surface portions maintain the smooth, continuous quality needed for pushing soil, while the removed portions create openings that prevent accumulation. This local differentiation allows the disc to push soil effectively where material remains while preventing build-up where openings are created.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of removing the entire concave surface (excessive action), the patent removes only specific portions (partial action) sufficient to prevent soil accumulation while maintaining enough surface area to continue pushing and redirecting soil for effective berm formation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the disc operates in wetter soil conditions, then tillage can be performed during extended periods, but soil build-up on the disc occurs more rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of wet, sticky soil that causes rapid build-up into a beneficial feature by creating openings in the concave surface. These openings allow wet soil to pass through rather than accumulate, transforming the problematic adhesion property into an opportunity for reduced build-up during extended operational periods.
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 ensures consistent operation by reducing soil buildup, decreasing maintenance time, and maintaining berm formation efficiency even in wetter conditions.
Implementation Method 1
An insert is attached to the inner concave surface and is formed of a material to which soil is less likely to adhere to compared to the material makeup of the inner concave surface
Data Source
AI summary
A berm building disc is designed to reduce the amount of soil that builds up on the inner surface of the disc as the disc pushes soil for berm formation. The disc has a disc body having an outer radial edge, and defining an inner concave surface and an outer convex surface. Features are formed on the inner concave surface to reduce the surface area or soil adhesion properties of the inner concave surface.