Soil Aerating Device with Adjustable Spring Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing soil aerating devices face challenges in reducing the risk of forming slots at the ground surface, especially at higher vehicle speeds and with long penetration tools, due to the increased centrifugal forces and the need for stiffer spring elements, which can damage bearings and stops.
Innovation Solution
A mobile soil aerating device that uses a piston/cylinder element with adjustable helical springs to exert a moment opposite to the restoring moment on the penetration tool during its penetration phase, reducing the risk of slot formation by minimizing the restoring force while the tool is in the soil, and allowing for tilting movement for effective soil loosening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If spring elements of higher spring stiffness are used to move long penetration tools back into the initial position fast enough, then the penetration tools can be restored quickly, but the risk of forming slots at the ground surface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the spring stiffness adjustable during operation. The system transitions from a static spring stiffness design to a dynamic one where the stiffness can be changed based on the penetration tool's position and operational phase, allowing optimization for both quick restoration and slot prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by varying the spring stiffness in different operational phases. During the penetration phase, lower stiffness is applied to prevent slot formation, while during the restoration phase, higher stiffness is applied to ensure quick return to initial position. This periodic variation of spring characteristics resolves the contradiction between restoration speed and slot prevention
2Speed
If spring elements of higher spring stiffness are used to counteract increased centrifugal forces at higher vehicle speeds, then the penetration tools can be controlled at high speeds, but the risk of forming slots at the ground surface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts spring stiffness based on operational conditions including vehicle speed. Rather than using a fixed high-stiffness spring that causes slotting, the system adapts the spring characteristics in real-time, using lower stiffness during penetration phases regardless of vehicle speed, thus preventing slot formation while maintaining high-speed operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of spring stiffness dynamically. By adjusting this parameter based on the penetration tool's position and operational phase, the system can maintain control at high vehicle speeds without the harmful effect of slot formation, as the spring stiffness is optimized for each specific operational condition
3Reliability
If spring elements of higher spring stiffness are used to ensure penetration tools return to initial position, then the restoration is effective, but the impact of the penetration tool against the stop becomes hard, damaging bearings and stops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by varying spring stiffness in different phases of the penetration tool cycle. During the approach to the stop, lower stiffness is applied to reduce impact force and protect bearings and stops. During the actual restoration phase, higher stiffness is applied to ensure effective return to initial position. This phased approach maintains restoration effectiveness while minimizing damaging impacts
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements beforehand cushioning by reducing spring stiffness before the penetration tool reaches the stop position. This pre-cushioning approach reduces the impact force on the stop and protects the bearings from hard impacts, while still ensuring effective restoration through subsequent higher stiffness application
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 solution effectively reduces the risk of slot formation and enhances soil loosening by adjusting the duration and phase transitions of the opposing moment, allowing for better control over penetration tools of varying lengths and vertical adjustments, thereby improving soil aeration and drainage without damaging the device.
Implementation Method 1
A mobile soil aerating device is proposed that uses spring elements that can be adjusted in such a way that, at least during a part of a phase in which the penetration tool is in the soil, at least one element engaging the tool holder exerts a moment on the penetration tool that is opposite to the restoring moment
Implementation Method 2
In recent years, soil aerating devices are increasingly driven at high speeds, whereby, however, the centrifugal forces acting on the penetration tools are increased
Data Source
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AI summary
In a mobile soil aerating device comprising a machine frame (36), a drive, at least one penetration tool (30) moved up and down by the drive and being hingedly coupled with the machine frame (36), said penetration tool (30) being adapted to be driven into the soil (28) and to be pulled out again, said penetration tool (30) being pivotable with respect to the machine frame (36) during a penetration phase in which the penetration tool (30) is in the soil (28), said penetration tool (30), prior to penetration, being in an initial position at a predetermined penetration angle, and wherein, at least after having pulled the penetration tool (30) from the ground (28), at least one element engaging the penetration tool (30) and coupled to the machine frame (36) exerts a restoring moment on the penetration tool (30) in order to pivot the penetration tool (30) back to the initial position, it is provided that, at least during a part of the phase in which the penetration tool (30) is in the soil (28), the at least one element engaging the penetration tool (30) exerts a moment on the penetration tool (30) that is opposite to the restoring moment.