Soil-Working Tool Mounting via Variable Cross-Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural implements face issues with tool fixation, leading to loose attachments, corrosion, and increased part count, which complicates assembly and on-site tool replacement, especially in poor lighting conditions.
Innovation Solution
A simplified mounting mechanism using a mounting portion with varying cross-sectional area and engagement means, allowing for easy insertion and secure fixation of soil-working tools onto a carrier, facilitating both factory and on-site assembly, and providing improved angular fixation and reduced material removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fittings and bolted joints are used to attach tools to the longitudinal beam, then tool retention and angular fixation are improved, but the number of parts increases, assembly complexity increases, and corrosion occurs due to sliding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mounting portion and the tool into a single integrated component. The mounting portion is formed as an integral part of the tool, eliminating the need for separate fittings, clamps, or attachment mechanisms. This merging reduces the number of parts while maintaining secure tool retention through the engineered cross-sectional area variation that provides both insertion capability and retention through the recess engagement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the attachment function from the tool itself and integrates it into the mounting portion. By designing the mounting portion with specific cross-sectional area variations, the retention function is built directly into the tool structure rather than requiring external fittings. This extraction of the attachment mechanism from separate components and integration into the tool body reduces part count while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If traditional fittings are used to secure tools, then angular fixation is achieved, but corrosion occurs on the agricultural implement due to sliding of fittings and tools
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting portion's varying cross-sectional area design enables it to self-position and self-lock within the carrier opening and recess. The larger cross-sectional area portion naturally engages with the opening while the smaller end portion engages with the recess, creating automatic angular fixation without requiring external fittings that could slide and cause corrosion. The design inherently prevents the sliding motion that leads to corrosion
3Reliability
If clamp joints with tempered steel fittings are used, then tool retention is improved, but assembly time increases and on-site replacement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting portion is pre-designed with the optimal cross-sectional area variation during tool manufacturing. The larger area portion and smaller end portion are formed as integral features, eliminating the need for on-site assembly of multiple components. This preliminary integration of the attachment mechanism allows for rapid insertion and fixation, significantly reducing both factory assembly time and on-site tool replacement time while maintaining secure retention
4Reliability
If multiple fittings and fastening means are used, then secure tool fixation is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tool and mounting portion into a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate fittings, clamps, bolts, and fastening means. This consolidation reduces material costs by removing redundant components while maintaining secure tool fixation through the engineered cross-sectional area variation of the mounting portion that provides both insertion and retention functions
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
A soil-working tool (1, 1', 1") for releasable fixation to an agricultural implement (100) comprises a mounting portion (13, 13', 13"), which is adapted to be inserted through a first opening (25) in a first wall portion (21) of a carrier (2). The mounting portion (13, 13', 13") has an end portion (15, 15'a, 15'b, 15"), which is adapted to engage with a recess (26, 26'a, 26'b, 26") in a second, substantially opposite, wall portion (22) of the carrier (2), The part of the end portion (15, 15'a, 15'b, 15") that is insertable in the recess (26, 26'a, 26'b, 26") has a smaller effective cross-sectional area than a part (14) of the mounting portion (13, 13', 13") that is adapted to bear against the first wall portion (21). Furthermore, an agricultural implement is disclosed comprising one or more such tools.