Tilling Machine Rotor Support via Rear Stud Sections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tilling machines impose a heavy handle lifting load on operators during transfer due to the weight distribution of rotors, leading to instability and increased size, as rotor support arms are positioned close to the operating handle, causing torsional deformation and compactness issues.

Innovation Solution

The tilling machine design includes a support member with stud sections extending rearward from the machine body, allowing rotors to be positioned closer to the center of gravity, reducing the handle lifting load and enabling a more compact size by stabilizing the rotors and hitch member through secure attachment to the support member.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If rotor support arms are disposed in an intermediate portion of the hitch member via a horizontal bar, then rotors can be supported for tilling operation, but the rotor support arms are located relatively close to grips of the operating handle, causing the weight of the rotors to greatly act on the handle grips as a downward load, which imposes a great handle lifting load on the human operator

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotor support capabilityVSAvoidhandle lifting load
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the spatial arrangement by extending stud sections rearwardly along the handle column direction, moving the rotor support point from a horizontal intermediate position to a rearward position near the handle column base. This dimensional repositioning shifts the rotor weight load away from the handle grips to the lower rear portion of the machine body, reducing the lifting load on the operator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If rotor support arms project upward from left and right end portions of the horizontal bar, then rotors can be supported, but with the rotors supported on the rotor support arms, the rotors are oriented vertically, so that upper end portions of the rotors would project upward beyond the operating handle, making it difficult to achieve a compact size of the tilling machine

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotor mounting capabilityVSAvoidmachine compactness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of supporting rotors from above via upward-projecting arms, the invention inverts the support approach by using stud sections that extend rearwardly and allow rotors to be mounted with their rotation axes horizontal. This inversion changes the rotor orientation from vertical to horizontal, preventing upper end portions from projecting upward beyond the operating handle and achieving a more compact machine size.

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

3Device complexity

If the rotor support arms are spaced a considerable distance rearwardly from the connection member of the hitch member, then the hitch member structure is maintained, but with the rotors supported on the rotor support arms, torsional deformation may easily occur in the hitch member so that the rotors cannot be supported in a stable manner

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehitch member structureVSAvoid rotor support stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary reinforcement by providing a support member that extends in the width direction and connects to the machine body rear portion, with stud sections fixed to its end portions. This preliminary structural preparation ensures that when rotors are mounted, their weight and operational forces are distributed to a reinforced structure, preventing torsional deformation and ensuring stable rotor support from the outset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2412217B1Tilling machine
Publication Date: 2012.12.05 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2412217B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2412217B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2412217B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Drive shafts (44) of a tilling machine project from a machine body (42) leftward and rightward in a machine body width direction, rotation shafts (31, 36) of rotors (25, 26) being detachably attachable to the drive shafts. The tilling machine also includes: a support member (51) provided on a rear portion of the machine body under a handle column (17) extending rearwardly from the machine body, and extending in the width direction; and a pair of left and right stud sections (52, 53) extending from left and right end portions of the support member rearwardly of the machine body along the handle column, the rotation shafts of the rotors being fittable over the left and right stud sections.