Sowing Element Attachment Mechanism for Rapid Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing precision agricultural sowing machines face difficulties in efficiently and securely disassembling and reassembling sowing elements from the element-carrying bar due to the laborious process of opening clamping members and the risk of losing small parts like screws and bolts.

Innovation Solution

A rapid engagement mechanism using a cradle and pin system with oscillating rods and clamping nuts allows for secure and easy attachment and detachment of sowing elements, leveraging gravitational force to maintain the attachment closed and preventing loss of small parts by keeping them fixed to the bar.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a clamping member with screws and bolts is used to secure sowing elements to the element-carrying bar, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the disassembly and reassembly process becomes laborious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoiddisassembly and reassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment element is divided into two distinct portions: a first portion that remains fixed to the element-carrying bar and a second portion that attaches to the sowing element. This segmentation allows the small parts (screws, bolts, pins) to be permanently retained on the bar while only the larger sowing element needs to be moved during assembly and disassembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first portion of the attachment element acts as an intermediary component that stays on the element-carrying bar, mediating between the bar and the sowing element. This intermediary retains all small fastening parts, eliminating the risk of losing them during operations while enabling rapid attachment and detachment of the sowing element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional clamping members with multiple small parts are used, then secure attachment is achieved, but the risk of losing small parts like screws, bolts and pins increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidloss of small parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The small parts (screws, bolts, pins) are extracted from the movable attachment assembly and permanently fixed to the element-carrying bar through the first portion of the attachment element. This extraction eliminates the risk of losing these small parts during sowing element removal, as they remain permanently secured to the bar structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The small fastening parts are preliminarily secured to the element-carrying bar through the first portion of the attachment element before any sowing element attachment operations. This preliminary action ensures that all small parts are permanently retained on the bar, preventing any possibility of loss during subsequent assembly and disassembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If sowing elements are made heavy for durability, then strength is improved, but the manoeuvring required for disengagement becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesowing element strengthVSAvoidmanoeuvring ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the attachment system into a stationary first portion (with all small parts) and a movable second portion (attached to sowing element), the invention enables easy manoeuvring of only the necessary components during disassembly, regardless of the sowing element's weight. The heavy sowing element remains securely attached through the fixed first portion while only the lighter second portion needs to be manipulated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 significantly simplifies and speeds up the assembly and disassembly process while ensuring secure connections, reducing the risk of losing small parts and making the operation more efficient and less laborious.

Implementation Method 1

leveraging gravitational force to maintain the attachment closed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitational force: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3745839B1Sowing machine
Publication Date: 2022.08.31 MASCHIO GASPARDO
  • EP3745839B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3745839B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3745839B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An attachment with which a side of an articulated parallelogram type mechanism (9) of a sowing element (1) can be engaged with an element- carrying bar (4) of an agricultural precision type sowing machine (100). The attachment (3) comprises a first portion (2) which is provided to be engaged on the element-carrying bar (4) and a second portion (12) which is provided to be fixedly joined to the side of an articulated parallelogram type mechanism (9), or to be integral therewith, wherein the second portion (12) is removably connected to the first portion (2) by means of a rapid engagement mechanism.