Agricultural Soil Tool-Changing System With Compressive Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural tillage tools experience high wear and require frequent replacement, and existing quick-change tool systems face issues with locking mechanisms that deform under dynamic loads, necessitating tools for secure clamping and compromising handling ease.

Innovation Solution

A tool changing system with a safety stop on the rear side of the clamping lever, using compressive loading to secure the locking element, eliminating deformation and ensuring a robust, play-free connection between the tillage tool and tool carrier, allowing tool exchange without tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If ring-shaped locking brackets are used to lock the clamping lever, then the locking mechanism can be implemented, but the locking brackets deform under continuous dynamic loads, compromising reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling easeVSAvoidlocking reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the loading direction on the locking element by positioning the safety stop on the rear side of the clamping lever. Instead of tensile loading (pulling apart), the locking element is subjected to compressive loading (pushing together) by the restoring force of the clamping lever. This inversion allows the locking element to be firmly pressed against the safety stop, preventing deformation and ensuring reliable locking without compromising handling ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If retaining elements are molded onto the tool carrier, then the locking mechanism can be simplified, but clamping tools are required to lock the clamping bracket, reducing ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking mechanism complexityVSAvoidtool-free operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service locking mechanism where the restoring force of the clamping lever automatically presses the locking element against the safety stop. This eliminates the need for separate clamping tools to secure the locking bracket, as the system self-locks through the inherent restoring force of the clamping lever, maintaining both simplicity and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the locking element is subjected to tensile load, then the locking mechanism can function, but the locking element deforms and slips sideways, compromising reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking process easeVSAvoidcontinuous load capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the loading direction from tensile to compressive by positioning the safety stop on the rear side of the clamping lever. The restoring force of the clamping lever now presses the locking element against the safety stop in compression rather than pulling it in tension. This compressive loading prevents deformation and sideways slipping, significantly increasing continuous load capacity while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Device complexity

If the safety stop is arranged on the front side of the clamping lever, then the locking mechanism can be implemented, but the locking element is subjected to tensile stress, causing deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking mechanism structureVSAvoidlocking function reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by inverting the position of the safety stop from the front side to the rear side of the clamping lever. This positional inversion changes the loading direction from tensile to compressive, allowing the locking element to be firmly pressed against the safety stop by the restoring force of the clamping lever, thereby ensuring reliable locking function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 system provides a robust, deformation-resistant locking mechanism that ensures secure tool attachment, reduces wear, and maintains handling comfort, enhancing operational reliability and ease of tool exchange.

Implementation Method 1

the locking element, which is located between the clamping lever and the safety stop, is subjected to compressive stress by the restoring force of the clamping lever

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic restoring force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4486104B1Tool changing system for an agricultural soil working machine and method for fixing a soil working tool
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 AMAZONEN WERKE H DREYER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4486104B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4486104B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4486104B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a tool-changing system (10) for an agricultural soil-working machine, comprising: a soil-working tool (20); a tool carrier (40) for carrying the soil-working tool (20); a clamping lever (60) which can be brought via elastic deformation into a clamping operating state in which the clamping lever (60) extends at least in part on the rear face of the tool carrier and in which the clamping lever (60) safely braces the soil-working tool (20) against the tool carrier (40); and a locking member (80) which is movable relative to the tool carrier (40) and is designed to lock, in a locking position, the clamping lever (60) in the clamping operating state.