Tine Assembly Length Ratio for Soil Leveling Density

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional soil cultivation machines have limitations in design uniformity and flexibility, leading to inefficiencies in soil loosening and leveling, particularly due to identical tine designs and space constraints around running gear wheels.

Innovation Solution

A soil cultivation machine with a tine device that features a longer design, allowing for flexible attachment to the frame, with adjustable lengths and pivotable handles, enabling closer arrangement to soil leveling devices without requiring complex frame structures, and allowing for combinations of long and short tine assemblies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional identical tine designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but soil loosening efficiency and flexibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoil loosening efficiencyVSAvoidtine design uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by designing different tine assemblies with varying lengths (longer tines with length-to-height ratio ≥1, shorter tines with ratio <1) to perform different functions in different locations. Longer tines are positioned in rear rows for deep soil loosening, while shorter tines are in front rows for shallower work, optimizing soil cultivation efficiency across the entire implement width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The tine device is segmented into multiple independent tine assemblies (front tine assemblies and rear tine assemblies) that can be independently designed and configured. Each assembly can be detached and replaced separately, allowing flexible combination of different tine lengths and configurations to address varying soil conditions across different working zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If soil leveling device is positioned closer to tine assemblies, then soil flow and leveling improve, but space constraints around running gear wheels are violated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoil leveling efficiencyVSAvoidspace around running gear wheels
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the longitudinal dimension along the direction of travel to position the soil leveling device optimally. By arranging tine assemblies in multiple rows along the longitudinal axis and positioning the leveling device in the rear, the design achieves close spacing for improved soil flow without interfering with the transverse space requirements of running gear wheels.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The tine assemblies are designed with pivotable connections to the frame, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position and angle during operation. This dynamic capability enables the tine assemblies to adapt to the presence of running gear wheels while maintaining optimal spacing for soil flow to the leveling device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If longer tine assemblies are used, then flexibility and close arrangement to leveling device are enabled, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetine assembly flexibilityVSAvoidframe construction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs universal mounting structures and connection mechanisms that can accommodate both longer and shorter tine assemblies. The frame includes standardized mounting points and attachment mechanisms that work with varying tine lengths, eliminating the need for specialized frame constructions for each tine type and reducing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The tine assemblies are designed as detachable, modular units that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows the use of longer tines where needed without requiring the entire frame structure to be redesigned, as individual assemblies can be swapped or reconfigured based on specific operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If all tines are identical, then manufacturing and maintenance are simplified, but soil cultivation versatility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetine manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsoil cultivation versatility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Different tine assemblies are designed with specific length characteristics suited to their functional requirements. Rear tine assemblies use longer tines for deep soil loosening, while front tine assemblies use shorter tines for shallower cultivation, allowing each component to be optimized for its local function while maintaining overall manufacturing efficiency through standardized production methods for each type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The tine assemblies are designed to be detachable and replaceable, creating a dynamic system where different tine configurations can be swapped based on soil conditions and operational requirements. This allows the system to adapt to varying cultivation needs without permanent structural modifications, maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized interchangeable components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4079121A1Tine assembly and soil working machine
Publication Date: 2022.10.26 HORSCH MASCHINEN SE & CO KG
  • EP4079121A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4079121A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4079121A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates, inter alia, to a tine assembly (24) for loosening soil in a working direction (A2) for an agricultural tillage machine (10). A length (I) of the tine assembly (24) measured with respect to the working direction (A2) starting from a rearmost end of the contact section (51) to a rearmost end of the tine shank (38) is greater than or substantially equal to a height (h) of the tine assembly (24) measured with respect to a vertical axis (H2) of the tine assembly (24) starting from a lowest end of the contact section (51) to a lowest end of the share (42).