Tine Feeder Ring Segments for Crop Conveyor Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crop conveyors suffer from low lateral stability of tines due to sidewardly acting forces during cutting and crop engagement, requiring a large number of ring segments and connections, which complicates mounting and affects crop flow.
Innovation Solution
Rigidly connecting at least two axially spaced tines within each ring segment, with a support plate that increases stability and rigidity, and using fewer connections between ring segments, allowing for thicker tines and improved side stability, along with axial and rotary form-fit connections to secure the ring segments to the rotor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If ring segments are detachably interconnected via threaded connections and form-fit engagement with the rotor, then tines can be replaced in case of damage, but the mounting structure becomes complicated and requires a large number of parts
Solution Approach 1:
The ring is divided into multiple ring segments that can be detachably interconnected. Each ring segment carries one or more tines, allowing individual segments to be replaced when tines are damaged, while the overall ring structure remains intact. This segmentation enables localized repair without replacing the entire ring assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure uses detachable threaded connections and form-fit engagement that allow for easy assembly and disassembly. The ring segments can be quickly connected and disconnected from the rotor, enabling rapid tine replacement and maintenance operations without complex permanent fastening systems.
2Device complexity
If tines are supported only by spaced apart annular thin cheeks of the ring segment and form-fit engagement with the rotor, then the mounting is simplified, but the stability of the tines against sidewardly acting forces becomes low
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple tines are rigidly connected to each other within the same ring segment, forming a combined structural unit. This merging of tines into a single rigid assembly significantly improves lateral stability against sidewardly acting forces during cutting operations, while the ring segment itself remains a simple mounted component.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring segment combines multiple tines into a composite structural unit with enhanced mechanical properties. By rigidly connecting tines together within the segment, the structure achieves greater stiffness and stability against lateral forces while maintaining the simplicity of the ring segment mounting system.
3Device complexity
If each ring carries a single circumferential row of tines, then the mounting structure is simplified, but an undesirably large number of ring segments and threaded connections are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The ring segments are extended in the axial direction to carry multiple rows of tines simultaneously. This dimensional expansion allows a single ring segment to replace what would otherwise require multiple separate ring segments, reducing the total number of segments and threaded connections needed in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each ring segment is designed to carry multiple circumferential rows of tines, making it a multi-functional component. This universal ring segment design reduces the total quantity of ring segments required, as each segment performs the function of multiple traditional single-row segments.
4Productivity
If tines are arranged with phase shifts in circumferential direction, then crop flow conditions may be improved, but the number of rings required increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple circumferential rows of tines are arranged on the same ring segment at different axial positions. This axial arrangement creates phase shifts in the circumferential direction, optimizing crop flow conditions and cutting action, while avoiding the need to add more rings to achieve the same effect.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A crop conveyor (F) for an agricultural machine (M) comprises a rotatably driven rotor (1) equipped with axially consecutively arranged and coaxial rings (R) each carrying tines (3, 4), each ring (R) consisting of at least two detachably connected ring segments (7), of which at least one ring segment (7) comprises at least two axially spaced apart rigidly connected and supported tines (3, 4).