Soil Cultivation Machine Tool-Free Functional Device Decoupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing soil cultivation machines face challenges in reducing both external dimensions and weight for transport, leading to excessive transport weights that require special permits, which are time-consuming and resource-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A soil cultivation machine with a mechanical coupling structure that allows the functional device to be physically separated from the machine frame, creating two transport items with lower weights, each below the approval-free maximum transport weight, while maintaining relative mobility and simplifying assembly and disassembly processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the functional device is permanently mounted on the machine frame, then the structural stability is improved, but the transport weight exceeds the approval-free maximum limit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidtransport weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The machine is divided into two separable parts: the machine frame and the functional device. The functional device can be detached from the machine frame through a coupling structure, allowing the machine to be transported in two separate units, each below the maximum transport weight limit without requiring special permits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling structure enables dynamic reconfiguration of the machine. The functional device can be coupled to or decoupled from the machine frame as needed, transitioning between operational and transport states. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt its weight and configuration based on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Weight of moving object

If the functional device is detached from the machine frame, then the transport weight is reduced below the approval-free limit, but the assembly and disassembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport weightVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling structure is designed to be self-contained within the joint bodies, eliminating the need for external tools or complex assembly procedures. The frame-side coupling formation and device-side counter-coupling formation are integrated into the joint bodies themselves, allowing operators to attach and detach the functional device through simple manual operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling structure is merged with the joint bodies, combining the attachment mechanism with the existing structural components. This integration ensures that the coupling and decoupling operations are straightforward while maintaining structural integrity, reducing the overall complexity of assembly and disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If the coupling structure is positioned close to the pivot joint, then the assembly compactness is improved, but the relative mobility between joint bodies is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly compactnessVSAvoidrelative mobility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling structure is positioned at a distance from the pivot joint along the pivot axis, creating spatial separation between the coupling mechanism and the rotation axis. This dimensional arrangement allows both the coupling structure to be compact and the joint bodies to maintain full rotational freedom about the pivot axis, as the coupling does not interfere with the pivot joint's movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the functional device is mounted remotely from the machine frame, then the operational flexibility is improved, but the transport dimension exceeds the approval-free limit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidtransport dimension
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The remote mounting of the functional device is achieved through segmentation into separate transportable units. The functional device can be detached and transported separately, eliminating the need to consider the overall length of a permanently mounted configuration. Each unit can be transported independently within the approved dimension limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3832023B1Mobile soil working machine, comprising a functional device decouplable tool-free from the machine frame
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 WIRTGEN GMBH
  • EP3832023B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3832023B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3832023B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Mobile soil cultivation machine (10), wherein the soil cultivation machine (10) comprises, in a reference state ready for soil cultivation operation: - a machine frame (20), - a working device for material removal soil cultivation, - a functional device, distinct from the working device (12), which is pivotably connected to the machine frame (20) relative to the machine frame (20), and - a pivot joint arrangement functionally arranged between the machine frame (20) and the functional device, comprising a frame-associated joint body (46) which is immovably connected to the machine frame (20) relative to the machine frame (20), and a device-associated joint body (50) which is pivotably coupled to the frame-associated joint body (46) about a pivot axis (S) relative to the frame-associated joint body (46) by means of a pivot joint (54) and which is connected to the functional device.It is provided that a mechanical coupling structure (44) is formed between the machine frame (20) and the functional device (34, 86), by means of which the functional device is physically detachably coupled to the machine frame (20) as intended, wherein the coupling structure (44) has a frame-side coupling formation (56) and a device-side counter-feedback formation (58), wherein the frame-side coupling formation (56) and the device-side counter-feedback formation (58) are either both formed on the frame-associated joint body (46) or both on the device-associated joint body (50).