Agricultural Sweep Assembly With Friction-Locking Neck Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sweep assemblies in agricultural tillage implements may disengage from the shank during tillage operations due to insufficient friction, reducing the effectiveness of the tillage implement and delaying operations.
Innovation Solution
The sweep assembly design includes a neck with inwardly sloping contact surfaces and angular protrusions on the adapter, enhancing friction force by capturing the adapter's angular protrusions, and a retainer clip to secure the sweep to the shank, reducing disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple friction-based connection between the adapter and neck is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of the connection during tillage operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved contact surfaces within the neck cavity that are configured to engage with corresponding curved surfaces on the adapter. These curved surfaces work together to generate friction force that secures the adapter to the neck, replacing the need for complex mechanical fasteners while ensuring reliable connection during tillage operations.
2Ease of operation
If insufficient force is applied during coupling, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of the connection deteriorates causing disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The curved contact surfaces in the neck cavity are designed to progressively engage with the adapter surfaces during the coupling process. This geometric configuration allows the operator to apply force gradually while the curved surfaces guide the adapter into proper alignment and secure engagement, ensuring both ease of operation and connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in the geometric parameters of the contact surfaces, specifically the curvature and angular orientations, to transform the coupling process. The curved surfaces create a progressive engagement mechanism where the friction force increases as the adapter is driven into the neck cavity, ensuring secure connection without requiring excessive initial force.
3Loss of time
If the sweep disengages from the shank during tillage, then the loss of time for replacement increases, but the productivity of the tillage operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved contact surfaces and corresponding adapter geometries create a friction-based mechanical lock that prevents disengagement during tillage operations. This design eliminates the need for frequent field replacements while maintaining high productivity, as the sweep assembly remains securely attached to the shank throughout the tillage process.
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 enhanced friction force and secure coupling between the sweep and shank improve the tillage implement's effectiveness by minimizing disengagement, ensuring consistent operation and reducing the need for field replacements.
Implementation Method 1
Friction between the adapter and the neck may secure the sweep to the shank
Data Source
AI summary
A sweep assembly for an agricultural tillage implement includes a sweep having a blade and a neck extending from the blade. The neck has a cavity configured to receive an adapter, the cavity is formed in part by a forward left contact surface, a forward right contact surface, a rearward left contact surface, and a rearward right contact surface, and the neck slopes laterally inwardly along a first direction extending from a top opening of the neck toward the blade. Furthermore, a left contact surface angle between the forward left contact surface and the rearward left contact surface is less than or equal to 60 degrees. In addition, a right contact surface angle between the forward right contact surface and the rearward right contact surface is less than or equal to 60 degrees.