Seeding Machine Joint Bearing Assembly for Wear-Free Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional seeding machines experience wear and reduced precision due to friction at joint points, leading to periodic maintenance needs, as traditional coaxial hubs cause wear and misalignment in the sowing bodies during operation.

Innovation Solution

A novel joint system with a single-piece axis that combines a bearing and a pivot axis, featuring a threaded section for an adjustment nut and a hexagonal housing for tool insertion, eliminating play and providing stability and robustness by integrating a mechanical seal to prevent contamination and wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional coaxial hubs are used at joint points, then the structure allows movement and assembly, but friction and wear occur during operation, reducing precision and requiring periodic maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly precisionVSAvoidmaintenance interval
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the bearing and the pivot axis into a single integrated component. The bearing is positioned directly on the pivot axis, eliminating the need for separate hubs and reducing the number of friction interfaces. This integration reduces wear and maintains assembly precision over longer periods, directly addressing the contradiction between reliability and maintenance interval.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If external hubs with internal hubs are used for assembly, then the joint points can accommodate transverse bolts for adjustment, but friction during movement causes wear and reduces assembly precision

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadjustabilityVSAvoidassembly precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing is integrated directly with the pivot axis, creating a unified component that maintains precision while allowing adjustment. The bearing's rolling elements reduce friction at the joint points, ensuring that adjustability can be maintained without compromising assembly precision over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components (external hub, internal hub, transverse bolt) are used at joint points, then the structure is adaptable and adjustable, but the complexity increases and friction causes periodic maintenance needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural adaptabilityVSAvoidjoint system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces joint system complexity by integrating the bearing and pivot axis into a single component. This merger maintains the structural adaptability needed for adjusting sowing bodies while eliminating the complexity of multiple separate hubs and reducing friction-induced wear that requires maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated bearing-pivot axis component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the pivot function for movement, the bearing function for reducing friction, and the mounting function for securing the sowing body. This multi-functionality maintains adaptability while reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 joint system enhances the stability and alignment of sowing bodies, reducing wear and the need for maintenance by maintaining assembly integrity even if the adjustment nut loses tension, thereby increasing the useful life of the seeding machine.

Implementation Method 1

said bearing comprising rolling elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling friction: Roller

Implementation Method 2

the presence of a mechanical seal, a deflector type, is included on the face of the axis that faces the outside of the structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical sealing:

Data Source

PatentEP4356708A1Joint system for assembly of the sowing bodies in an agricultural seeding machine
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 B P B MEDITERRÁNEA SA
  • EP4356708A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4356708A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4356708A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A joint system (E) suitable for being incorporated into the joint points of the mounting structure (M) that links the horizontal toolbar of a seeding machine with each of the sowing bodies that it incorporates, where said mounting structure comprises two deformable parallelograms that are made up of pairs of lateral arms (9-12) which extend between a pair of vertical bars (5, 6) fixed to said toolbar, and corresponding vertical bars (7, 8) that make up each sowing body. It comprises a rolling element (15) which defines an outer bearing track (22) on whose external face a lateral arm rests, and an inner bearing track (14) linked to a transverse mounting axis. It optionally comprises a single piece made up of an axis that, at one end, configures the bearing, and at its other end, defines a threaded section (18) for the incorporation of a corresponding adjustment nut (19).