Threaded Spindle Metering Slide Drive for Agricultural Distributing Machines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Distributing machines face operational reliability issues due to clogging and corrosion from powdered or particulate substances, especially when using hydraulic or electric cylinders, which affect metering accuracy and efficiency, and require high sealing tightness to prevent dirt and moisture ingress, leading to increased energy consumption and potential system overload.
Innovation Solution
A distributing machine with a metering slide drive featuring an axially fixed threaded spindle rotated by a motor-driven rotary output shaft, eliminating telescoping parts and using a spindle nut to convert rotational movement into translational movement, enhancing compactness and efficiency while reducing the risk of dirt accumulation and corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic or electric cylinders are used to actuate the metering slide, then the metering slide can be controlled to open and close, but dirt and moisture ingress leads to clogging and corrosion, reducing operational reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful telescoping mechanism from the actuating system. Instead of using telescoping cylinders that are prone to dirt and moisture ingress, the invention uses a rotary actuator that drives a threaded spindle. The threaded spindle converts rotational motion to linear motion of the metering slide without requiring telescoping parts, thereby eliminating the vulnerability to contamination while maintaining the ability to control the metering slide's position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the hydraulic or electric cylinder mechanism with a rotary actuator and threaded spindle system. This substitution eliminates the telescoping piston rod structure that is susceptible to contamination. The threaded spindle provides a sealed mechanical advantage, converting rotary motion to linear motion without exposing internal components to the external environment, thus improving reliability in harsh conditions.
2Reliability
If high sealing tightness is implemented to prevent dirt and moisture ingress, then operational reliability improves, but energy consumption increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for complex sealing systems by eliminating the telescoping cylinder structure. The threaded spindle system inherently provides a sealed environment for the actuating mechanism, as the rotary actuator and spindle connection can be sealed without requiring multiple telescoping seals. This reduces both the complexity of the sealing system and the energy required to maintain it.
3Device complexity
If telescoping parts are used in the metering slide drive, then the structure can be compact, but dirt accumulation and corrosion increase, reducing adjustment speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the telescoping parts from the drive mechanism and replaces them with a rotary actuator and threaded spindle system. This eliminates the exposed telescoping surfaces where dirt accumulates, while maintaining a compact structure through the efficient space utilization of the rotary-to-linear conversion mechanism. The threaded spindle remains enclosed, preventing dirt ingress while achieving the desired structural compactness.
4Device complexity
If the metering slide is actuated using traditional cylinder mechanisms, then the system can be simplified, but the risk of breakdowns increases in aggressive environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional cylinder mechanism with a rotary actuator and threaded spindle system. While this may slightly increase structural complexity, it dramatically reduces breakdown risk in aggressive environments by eliminating the telescoping piston rod structure that is vulnerable to contamination. The sealed threaded spindle mechanism provides a more robust solution that maintains simplicity in operation while enhancing reliability.
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
This design improves operational reliability and adjustment speed of the metering slide, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes the risk of breakdowns, allowing for high-speed adjustments and efficient operation even in aggressive environments, while maintaining compactness and protecting against external influences.
Implementation Method 1
a threaded spindle that is mounted in an axially fixed manner and that is driven in rotation by means of a motor rotary drive having an axially fixed output shaft, guided along which threaded spindle is a spindle nut that is in engagement with the threaded spindle and that is connected to the metering slide, or to a lever arm arranged thereon, in order to actuate the metering slide by rotation of the threaded spindle
Data Source
AI summary
A distributing machine—spreading machine and/or sowing machine includes a container, receiving material to be distributed, supported by a support frame, an outlet opening on the base of the container, a metering element downstream of the outlet opening, a motor-driven metering slide displaceable relative to the outlet opening, and a distributing element downstream of the metering element, for distributing the material. For adjusting a speed of the metering slide, while providing a compact design, the metering slide of the metering element includes a threaded spindle that is mounted axially fixed and is driven in rotation by a motor rotary drive having an axially fixed output shaft. Along the threaded spindle, a spindle nut is guided that engages with the threaded spindle. The spindle nut is connected to the metering slide, or to a lever arm arrange thereon, to actuate the metering slide by rotation of the threaded spindle.