Agricultural Tool Carrier V-Shaped Flange Welding
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing tool carrier manufacturing process, which involves a complex and expensive hydroforming process to create V-shaped cutouts on a tubular hollow side member for connection with a V-shaped flange element, requires simplification to reduce production costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The side member's opposite walls without V-shaped cutouts are bent outwards to enlarge the V-shaped cutout contour, allowing for a simplified production process while maintaining the same material thickness, and the longitudinal member is designed as a square tube for cost-effectiveness, enabling a longer weld seam connection with the flange element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a hydroforming process is used to create V-shaped cutouts on a tubular hollow side member, then the desired shape for connection with the flange element is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes very complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is segmented into two independent steps: first cutting V-shaped contours and then bending opposite walls outward. This separates the complex hydroforming process into simpler, more manageable operations that can be performed with standard equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of forming the V-shaped cutouts through complex hydroforming, the invention inverts the approach by cutting the V-shapes first and then bending the opposite walls outward to achieve the same final shape. This reverses the traditional manufacturing sequence to simplify the process.
2Area of stationary object
If the side member is widened by hydroforming to create V-shaped cutouts, then the connection area with the flange element is formed, but the material thickness changes in these areas
Solution Approach 1:
The process separates cutting and bending operations, allowing the V-shaped cutouts to be made first with precise material thickness control, followed by bending of opposite walls that does not affect the already-cut areas' thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The V-shaped cutouts are extracted as separate features by cutting first, isolating them from the subsequent bending process. This ensures that the material thickness in the cutout areas remains unchanged during the bending operation.
3Reliability
If the end face of the side member is connected to the V-shaped flange element, then a form-fitting connection is achieved, but the weld seam length may be insufficient for robust connection
Solution Approach 1:
The connection is enhanced by utilizing the third dimension through outward bending of the opposite walls, which creates additional vertical height and extends the weld seam length without increasing the horizontal footprint of the connection area.
Solution Approach 2:
The outward bending of walls creates curved, flared surfaces that increase the contact area and provide longer weld paths, transforming the flat end face into a three-dimensional connection surface with enhanced welding capabilities.
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 approach significantly simplifies the production of the end-side connecting area, reduces material costs, and ensures a robust weld seam connection between the side member and flange element, making the tool carrier more economical and efficient to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
the opposite walls of the side member that are not provided with the V-shaped cutout contours are bent outwards to enlarge the V-shaped cutout contour
Implementation Method 2
the opposite walls of the longitudinal member, which are not provided with the V-shaped cutout contours, are stretched to create a larger end face for connection with the V-shaped contour of the flange element
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Tool carrier of an agricultural machine for spreading seeds and/or fertilizer or for soil cultivation, on which tools and/or share elements are arranged and the tool carrier is composed of at least one flange element and a longitudinal beam, wherein the at least one flange element is attached to the front end face of the at least one longitudinal beam, wherein the flange element has an at least approximate V-shaped contour for connection with the longitudinal beam, wherein the longitudinal beam has a V-shaped cutout contour adapted to the V-shaped contour of the flange element on the end face facing the flange element, wherein the flange element and the longitudinal beam are positioned relative to each other via these V-shaped contours and are welded together, wherein the longitudinal beam is designed as a square tube with parallel horizontal and vertical walls.In order to create a simplified design of the end face of the longitudinal beam for a positive-locking connection with the V-shaped flange element, it is provided that the opposite walls of the longitudinal beam, which are not provided with the V-shaped cutout contours, are curved outwards to enlarge the V-shaped cutout contour.