Segmented Bar Roller Frame for Reduced Inertia
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural machine rollers with massive central cylindrical tubes are heavy, leading to high inertia and increased manufacturing costs, which complicates their effectiveness and efficiency, especially when traveling on roads and requiring strong braking systems.
Innovation Solution
A tubular support structure formed by a plurality of bars joined by circular end cheeks, with tires mounted on these bars to create a lighter and simpler assembly that reduces weight and manufacturing costs, allowing for the formation of parallel furrows in the earth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a massive central cylindrical tube is used as the tubular support structure, then the roller has high stability and strength, but the weight and inertia increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monolithic tubular support structure into multiple discrete longitudinal elements (bars) that are distributed around the circumference. These segmented elements are connected by transverse linkers to form a lattice framework, maintaining structural strength while reducing overall weight compared to a solid tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a thin-walled tubular lattice structure composed of longitudinal bars with relatively thin walls. This thin-walled design provides sufficient structural strength for supporting the tires and withstanding operational loads while minimizing the amount of material used, thereby reducing weight.
2Strength
If a massive central cylindrical tube is used as the tubular support structure, then the roller has high stability and strength, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular support structure is segmented into multiple longitudinal bars and transverse linkers that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing processes, reduced material costs, and easier assembly compared to fabricating a single massive tube, thereby reducing overall manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a modular lattice structure where components can be easily assembled and disassembled. This dynamic assembly approach simplifies manufacturing and maintenance processes, reducing labor costs and improving ease of manufacture compared to monolithic structures that require complex machining and welding.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a massive central cylindrical tube is used as the tubular support structure, then the roller has high inertia, but this complicates braking requirements and reduces operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented lattice structure reduces the overall mass and moment of inertia of the roller compared to a solid tube. This reduction in inertia makes the roller easier to accelerate and decelerate, simplifying braking requirements and improving operational efficiency while maintaining sufficient structural stability through the distributed framework.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
Figure 7a~8b
AI summary
The roller (10) has a tubular support structure of a horizontal axis rotatably mounted on a tractor-drawn support frame with a series of semi-hollow tires (12). A framework is made of a set of bars e.g. flat bars, joined together by two circular end cheeks (32) between which the bars extend axially. The tires are mounted on the bars of the framework with an assembly, where the tires comprise inner surface axially oriented notches.