Integrated Coupling Component for Soil Cultivation Support Beams

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing soil cultivation devices have complex and multi-part adjusting mechanisms for support beams, leading to increased component count and complexity, which complicates the adjustment and coupling of these beams.

Innovation Solution

Integration of the coupling element and pivoting/rotating mechanisms into a single component, such as a spindle nut, sleeve, or synchronous cylinder, to simplify the adjustment and coupling of support beams, reducing the number of components and ensuring direct translation of adjustment movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If separate coupling elements and adjusting devices are used for support beams, then the support beams can be adjusted and coupled, but the number of components increases and the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment and coupling of support beamsVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the coupling element and adjusting device into a single integrated component. The coupling element includes a first part that couples to the first support beam and a second part that couples to the second support beam, with an adjusting device integrated between these parts. This merging eliminates the need for separate coupling elements and adjusting devices, reducing component count while maintaining full adjustment and coupling functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are used for adjustment and coupling, then the functions are distributed, but the device complexity and number of components increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment capabilityVSAvoidcomponent structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated coupling element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it couples the first support beam to the second support beam while also providing adjustment capability through the integrated adjusting device. The single component structure serves as both a coupling mechanism and an adjustment mechanism, eliminating the need for separate specialized components for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If separate adjusting devices and coupling elements are used, then each component can be optimized independently, but the overall device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment precisionVSAvoidnumber of interacting parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjusting device is integrated directly into the coupling element structure, with the adjusting device positioned between the first and second parts of the coupling element. This integration reduces the number of interacting parts between separate components while maintaining adjustment precision, as the adjusting device directly controls the relative positioning of the coupling element parts that are attached to the support beams.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution results in a lightweight and reliable construction with simplified operation, allowing for stepless and synchronous adjustment of support beams, and enables remote operation from the driver's cab, reducing the risk of unintentional swiveling or twisting of support beams.

Implementation Method 1

two adjusting parts, which are designed as threaded rods shaped in the same direction. In this embodiment, the two threaded rods in the same direction each have either the same or different pitch(es)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThreaded rod mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

the combined component for coupling and pivoting and/or twisting of the support beams is designed as a synchronous cylinder whose cylinder body forms the central part and whose piston rods each form an actuating part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic cylinder: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 3

The synchronous cylinder is conceivable both as a pneumatic cylinder and as a hydraulic cylinder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic cylinder:

Data Source

PatentEP3449708B1Soil cultivation device
Publication Date: 2022.02.02 AMAZONEN WERKE H DREYER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3449708B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3449708B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3449708B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Soil cultivation implement, in particular a short disc harrow and/or a cultivator-disc harrow combination for the most comprehensive soil cultivation possible, with a first and a second support beam (4) which are attached to a frame (1) and extend transversely to the direction of travel (2) of the machine and are arranged spaced apart one behind the other, wherein each support beam (4) is provided with a plurality of arms (5), at the free end of which, pointing towards the ground, at least one rotatably mounted disc is arranged, each arm (5) is preferably suspended from the first or the second support beam (4) by means of a rubber spring (7), wherein the first and the second support beam (4) are each pivotable and/or rotatable about their longitudinal axis at least to a limited extent,wherein the pivoting and/or rotation of the first and second support beams is adjustable by means suitable for adjustment and at least one coupling element is arranged between the first and second support beams (4). In order to create a simplified arrangement for adjusting and coupling the support beams (4), it is provided that the coupling element and the means for pivoting and/or rotating the support beams (4) are each combined into a component (9), and that the component (9) consists of a central part (10) rotatably fixed and/or slidably on the frame (1) and at least one adjusting part (12) slidably arranged relative to the central part (10) or the frame (1) in the direction of travel (2) and attached to the first and/or second support beam (4).