Wavy Disc Blade Notches for Vertical Tillage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Prior art disc blades designed for horizontal tillage are not suitable for vertical tillage applications, leading to undesirable side effects such as soil throw and inadequate residue cutting and burying due to lack of sharpness and symmetrically formed teeth.

Innovation Solution

A wavy disc blade with an asymmetrically shaped cutting edge, featuring a central circular portion, a wavy portion with crests and valleys, and notches along the edge, including beveled portions on both sides to maintain sharpness and balance, enhancing cutting and residue handling capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If prior art disc blades with symmetrically formed teeth are used for vertical tillage, then the blade structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the cutting performance is inadequate and residue cutting capability is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade structure simplicityVSAvoidcutting performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by forming notches at different positions on the blade periphery - specifically at the crest positions of the waves on one side and at different locations on the opposite side. This asymmetric notch configuration creates asymmetric tooth structures that provide superior cutting performance for vertical tillage applications while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized wave formation processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Adaptability or versatility

If prior art disc blades operate in vertical tillage applications, then the blade can handle residue, but the symmetric teeth cause undesirable side effects such as soil throw and inadequate residue cutting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresidue handling capabilityVSAvoidsoil throw
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetric tooth configuration created by positioning notches at different locations on opposite sides of the blade eliminates the symmetry that causes undesirable soil throw in vertical tillage. The asymmetric design allows the blade to cut and handle residue effectively while directing soil movement in a controlled manner, preventing the harmful side effects associated with symmetric tooth arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Productivity

If the disc blade operates for extended periods, then productivity is maintained, but the cutting edge wears and loses sharpness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidblade sharpness retention
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates notches and beveled portions as preliminary features during blade manufacturing, creating self-sharpening geometry before the blade is put into service. As the blade wears during operation, the asymmetric tooth structure and beveled portions are designed to wear in a manner that maintains or even restores sharpness, eliminating the need for external sharpening interventions and sustaining productivity over extended periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If additional weight is added to maintain cutting efficiency, then cutting performance is improved, but the blade requires more material and becomes heavier

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidblade weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating material and structural features (notches, beveled portions, asymmetric teeth) specifically at the cutting edge locations where cutting performance is needed. The blade body maintains a lighter, more efficient geometry without unnecessary weight, while the localized asymmetric features at the periphery provide enhanced cutting capability through optimized stress distribution and self-sharpening characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3616484B1Wavy disc blade with notches
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 NATT TOOLS GRP
  • EP3616484B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3616484B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3616484B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

A wavy disc blade 110 is provided. The wavy disc blade includes a first side 112, a second side 140, a central portion 114 having at least one opening 116, and a wavy portion 118 adjacent to, extending radially from and circumferentially about the central portion. The wavy portion includes a plurality of waves 120 extending from the central portion to an edge portion 122, the waves forming a plurality of crests 124 and valleys 126 between the central portion and the edge portion. The wavy disc blade also includes a plurality of teeth 128 formed along the edge portion. One of a first beveled portion 138 may be formed on the first side at and along the edge portion and a second beveled portion1 142 may be formed on the second side at and along the edge portion.