Segmented Mulching Device with Central Drive for Clear Transport Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mulching devices require significant installation space and obstruct the driver's field of vision during transport due to the placement of the drive shaft and gearbox, which directly drives lateral mulching segments.
Innovation Solution
The drive shaft and gearbox are assigned to central mulching segments, allowing for a compact design that maintains a clear driver's field of vision during transport by directly driving the central mulching segment, with a parallel orientation to the working direction, and utilizing a transmission system with angular and spur gears for minimal space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the drive shaft and gearbox are assigned to lateral mulching segments, then the mulching segments can be driven directly, but the installation space increases and the driver's field of vision is obstructed during transport
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of assigning the drive shaft and gearbox to lateral mulching segments as in conventional designs, the patent inverts this arrangement by assigning them to the central mulching segment. This inversion allows the drive components to be positioned centrally, reducing the overall installation space and preventing obstruction of the driver's field of vision during transport, while still enabling direct driving of mulching segments.
2Ease of operation
If the drive shaft and gearbox are assigned to lateral mulching segments, then the mulching segments can be driven directly, but the driver's field of vision is obstructed during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by repositioning the drive shaft and gearbox from lateral mulching segments to the central mulching segment. This repositioning ensures that the drive components do not extend into the driver's field of vision during transport, thereby maintaining clear visibility while still providing direct driving capability to the mulching segments.
3Ease of operation
If the drive shaft extends perpendicular to the working direction, then the lateral mulching segments can be driven, but the design requires more installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry by orienting the drive shaft parallel to the working direction rather than perpendicular to it. This asymmetric orientation, combined with assigning the drive components to the central segment, creates a more compact design that reduces installation space while maintaining the capability to drive all mulching segments effectively.
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 configuration ensures a compact mulching system that maintains a clear driver's field of vision during transport while providing a wide working width and effective stubble processing, preventing insect larvae overwintering.
Implementation Method 1
the gearing of the mulching device comprises an angular gear and a spur gear, with one gear of the angular gear being connected to the drive shaft and one gear of the spur gear being connected to the mulching roller of the directly driven mulching segment
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Mulching device (1), in particular for mounting on an agricultural harvesting machine (100) or an agricultural tractor, wherein the mulching device (1) is segmented perpendicular to a working direction or direction of travel and has several mulching segments (2a, 2b, 2c) articulated to one another, namely at least one central mulching segment (2a) and at least two lateral mulching segments (2b, 2c), wherein each mulching segment (2a, 2b, 2c) has a rotatably mounted mulching roller (6) which is rotatable about an axis of rotation extending in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the working direction or direction of travel, wherein one of the mulching segments (2a) can be driven directly via a drive shaft (9) and a gearbox (10) and the other mulching segments (2b, 2c) can be driven indirectly via the directly driven mulching segment (2a),wherein the mulcher segment that can be driven directly via the drive shaft (9) and the gearbox (10) is the middle mulcher segment (2a) or one of the middle mulcher segments.