Agricultural Tool Clamping Force Sensor for Blade Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural machines face a safety risk due to blades coming loose during operation, primarily due to wear and tear or improper assembly, leading to potential injury and machine damage, as existing quick-change mechanisms do not adequately ensure operational reliability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sensor device to monitor the clamping force between tool components, allowing for early detection of wear-related or improper assembly decreases, thereby enabling timely countermeasures to prevent blade detachment, such as replacing worn blade carriers or implementing additional safety measures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a quick-change mechanism is used for blade replacement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to blades coming loose during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of the clamping force to detect wear and deterioration before the blade actually becomes loose. By continuously measuring the clamping force and comparing it against threshold values, the system takes preliminary action to alert the operator or automatically adjust the clamping mechanism, preventing the blade from becoming loose in the first place
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensor devices continuously measure the clamping force and feed this information back to a control unit. The control unit compares the measured values against predetermined thresholds and triggers alerts or adjustments accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that maintains reliable blade attachment while preserving quick-change capability
2Reliability
If the clamping force is increased to prevent blade detachment, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional monitoring systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical monitoring systems with sensor-based measurement devices that use electrical or electronic fields to detect clamping force. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while improving measurement accuracy and enabling automated feedback control
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter being monitored from direct mechanical observation to electrical or electronic measurements of clamping force. By measuring physical parameters such as force, pressure, or displacement through sensors, the system achieves reliable monitoring with simpler, more precise devices compared to traditional mechanical gauges or switches
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
The solution significantly enhances operational safety by ensuring that blades remain securely attached during operation, preventing accidents and maintaining machine functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor device which is designed and arranged in such a way that by means of this a force, via which the two components are braced, and / or this force representative variable can be measured or is recorded
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a tool arrangement (1) for mounting on an agricultural machine (7), in particular for grassland and/or soil cultivation and/or harvesting, comprising a tool held between two clamped components (2, 4) of the tool arrangement (1), wherein at least one tool (3) is associated with a sensor device (14) designed and arranged such that a force clamping the two components (2, 4) and/or a quantity representing this force can be measured or detected. Furthermore, the invention relates to an agricultural machine and a method for operating such a machine.