Segmented Spring Tine for Uniform Tillage Depth Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural soil cultivation devices with spring tines face challenges in achieving uniform tillage across different soil conditions, including stony and moist soils, while maintaining compactness and preventing mechanical overload and blockages.
Innovation Solution
The design features a cultivator with spring tines divided into five sections, including a clamping section, a turn, a support section, a curved section, and a ground-digging engagement element, subjected to a defined and adjustable prestressing force, allowing for sufficient deflection when encountering obstacles while minimizing upward deflection and maintaining a compact, low-profile design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If spring-loaded cultivator tines are used to reduce stress and improve compliance with soil obstacles, then the tines become more compliant and better suited for breaking up clods, but the changing depth of each tine depending on the angle of attack causes upward movement and uneven working depth
Solution Approach 1:
The spring tine is divided into five distinct sections: clamping section, coil section, support section, curved section, and ground-digging engagement element. Each section serves a specific function - the clamping section provides attachment, the coil section provides flexibility, the support section maintains position, the curved section guides movement, and the engagement element performs soil work. This segmentation allows the tine to maintain uniform working depth while remaining compliant with obstacles.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the spring tine have different mechanical properties and functions. The clamping section is rigid for secure attachment, the coil section is flexible for obstacle compliance, the support section maintains structural integrity, the curved section controls movement direction, and the engagement element is optimized for soil penetration. This local differentiation of properties resolves the contradiction between overall flexibility and depth uniformity.
2Manufacturing precision
If semi-rigid mountings are used to avoid excessive upward deflection, then the upward deflection is reduced and working depth is maintained, but the flexibility and evasive movements achievable with spring tines are insufficient for many applications
Solution Approach 1:
The tine is segmented into functional sections where the coil section provides necessary flexibility for obstacle evasion, while the support section and curved section work together to control the movement and maintain depth uniformity. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both flexibility and precision simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring tine incorporates dynamic elements including the coil section that can compress and expand in response to soil resistance, and the curved section that dynamically adjusts the angle of attack. This dynamic behavior allows the tine to adapt to varying soil conditions while maintaining controlled movement and uniform working depth.
3Adaptability or versatility
If spring tines are made relatively elastic to achieve sufficient flexibility upon impact, then compliance with obstacles is improved, but conflicts arise between desired flexibility and maximum permissible deformation, and rebound movements can cause damage or mechanical failure
Solution Approach 1:
The spring tine is divided into sections where the coil section provides controlled elasticity for obstacle impact, while the support section and curved section limit the maximum deformation and control rebound movements. This segmentation prevents excessive deformation that could lead to mechanical failure while maintaining necessary flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil section acts as a pre-designed cushioning element that absorbs impact energy in a controlled manner. The support section and curved section provide additional structural cushioning by limiting the range of motion and controlling rebound. This beforehand cushioning prevents sudden, damaging rebound movements while maintaining flexibility for obstacle negotiation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the spring tine is designed with sufficient length and flexibility for obstacle deflection, then compliance is improved, but the overall machine height increases and space between frame and share tip is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The spring tine is segmented into five sections that are arranged in a compact configuration. The coil section, support section, and curved section are positioned to minimize the overall height while providing sufficient deflection capability. This segmented arrangement allows the tine to achieve the necessary flexibility without excessively increasing machine height.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring tine utilizes multi-dimensional positioning where the coil section, support section, and curved section are arranged in three-dimensional space to achieve compactness. The curved section specifically uses angular positioning to reduce the vertical profile. This dimensional arrangement provides sufficient deflection capability while maintaining a compact overall height.
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 uniform tillage across varying soil conditions, reduces the risk of mechanical overload, and prevents blockages, while allowing for efficient soil engagement and movement, thereby enhancing the overall performance and durability of the soil cultivation device.
Implementation Method 1
each having at least one coil of spring, which gives them a desirable and necessary flexibility to prevent damage when encountering larger obstacles such as stones
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the spring tines is subjected to a defined and/or variable and/or variably adjustable preload force within definable limits
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
An agricultural soil cultivation implement (10), in particular a cultivator (12), is disclosed. Spring tines (18) are attached to a frame (14). The spring tine (18) can be subdivided into at least five sections, wherein a first section is formed by a clamping section (30) which rests on and can be fastened to a top or bottom surface of a frame member (20) of the frame (14), wherein a second section is formed by at least one spring coil (36), which is arranged in the direction of movement of the soil cultivation implement (10) on the front side of the frame member (20) to which the spring tine (18) is attached.a third section is formed by a support section which is guided approximately horizontally over the top (21) of the frame support (20), a fourth section is formed by an arc- or crescent-shaped course of the spring prong (18), and a fifth section is formed by a free end pointing obliquely downwards and forwards in the direction of travel, which serves as a fastening section (48) for an engagement element (50) that furrows the ground. Such a spring prong and an arrangement of a spring prong are further disclosed.