Self-Locking Actuator for Agricultural Spreader Trough
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural spreading machines have complex and bulky adjustment mechanisms for the collecting trough and spreading line holder, requiring additional locking devices to prevent unintended movement during operation, which complicates the transition between sowing and test/start-up positions.
Innovation Solution
A self-locking actuator mechanism with a kinematic dead center and crank drive stage that automatically holds the collecting trough and spreading line holder in the intended position, eliminating the need for additional locks and simplifying the adjustment process, even under high forces and vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional adjustment mechanism with additional locking devices is used to hold the collecting trough and spreading line holder, then the holding reliability during operation is improved, but the device complexity and structural bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is designed to be self-locking through the kinematic dead center position of the crank drive stage. The geometry of the mechanism itself provides the locking function without requiring separate locking devices, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism utilizes changes in the kinematic parameters of the crank drive stage, specifically passing through a dead center position where the transmission angle becomes zero. This parameter change creates a self-locking condition that maintains holding reliability without additional locks.
2Reliability
If a conventional adjustment mechanism with additional locking devices is used, then the holding reliability during operation is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the need to actuate additional locks
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism automatically locks itself through its geometric design. When the crank drive stage reaches the dead center position, the self-locking condition is naturally achieved, eliminating the need for manual operation of separate locking devices and simplifying the adjustment process.
3Ease of operation
If the collecting trough is coupled to the spreading line holder for simultaneous movement, then the ease of operation is improved by reducing adjustment steps, but the device complexity increases due to the coupled mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The collecting trough and spreading line holder are coupled together so they move simultaneously as a single unit. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate adjustment operations needed while the self-locking crank mechanism manages the complexity of the coupled movement.
4Reliability
If additional locking devices are provided to prevent unintended movement, then the reliability during operation is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to increased manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism provides its own locking function through the self-locking properties of the crank drive stage at the dead center position. This eliminates the need for separate locking devices, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining position stability during operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to an agricultural spreading machine, in particular a seed drill and/or seed drill and/or fertilizer spreader, with a collection trough (6) for collecting the material being spread during a trial and/or start-up operation, wherein the collection trough is coupled to a spreading line holder (5) and together with it can be adjusted from a seeding and/or spreading position to a collection position and back by means of an actuator (12), wherein the actuator has a self-locking mechanism in the spreading position which holds the collection trough and the coupled spreading line holder in the seeding and/or spreading position.