The Design and Experimental Validation of a Biomimetic Stubble-Cutting Device Inspired by a Leaf-Cutting Ant’s Mandibles

Abstract

Under the conditions of conservation tillage, the existence of the root–soil complex greatly increases the resistance and energy consumption of stubble-cutting blades, especially in Northeast China. In this research, the corn root–soil complex in Northeast China was selected as the research object. Based on the multi-toothed structure of the leaf-cutting ant’s mandibles and the unique bite mode of its mandibles on leaves, a gear-tooth, double-disk, bionic stubble-cutting device (BSCD) was developed by using a combination of power cutting and passive cutting. The effects of rotary speed, tillage depth, and forward speed on the torque and power of the BSCD were analyzed using orthogonal tests, and the results showed that all of the factors had a large influence on the torque and power, in the order of tillage depth > rotary speed > forward speed. The performance of the BSCD and the traditional power straight blade (TPSB) was explored using comparative tests. It was found that the optimal stubble-cutting rate of the BSCD was 97.4%. Compared with the TPSB, the torque of the BSCD was reduced by 15.2–16.4%, and the power was reduced by 9.2–11.3%. The excellent performance of the BSCD was due to the multi-toothed structure of the cutting edge and the cutting mode.

Bioinspired and Multifunctional Tribological Materials for Sliding, Erosive, Machining, and Energy-Absorbing Conditions: A Review

“…can greatly enhance their performance due to considerable reduction in turning/milling/drilling force and temperature, resulting in major reduction in tool wear [138,270,279]. Some existing examples and nature inspirations reported are derived from python skin [123,274], sea urchin teeth [44,272,273], crab or dung beetle claw and legs [21,41,228,280], mole pelt claw [24,36,268,281,282], pangolin claw [24,52,226,277], wood wasp ovipositors [265,280], earthworm skin [262], seashell [283,284], human teeth [285,286], sunflower seeds [259], corn/maize leaf [287][288][289], badger teeth [36,44,271,273,285], etc. Figure 18 shows the self-sharpened serrated edges in different biological species.…”

Biomimetic Design of Soil-Engaging Components: A Review

“…This is attributed to the anchoring effect of roots within the soil, which imparts greater stability and mechanical strength to the root−soil complex. Qi et al [ 89 ] were inspired by the multi-toothed structure and biting mode of the mandibles of leaf-cutting ants and designed the cutter and motion structure of the stubble-cutting device for cutting the root−soil complex, as shown in Figure 9 b. Field experiments showed that, at 240 rpm rotary speed, compared to the traditional power straight blade, the torque of cutting was reduced by 15.4%, while the power decreased by 11%.…”

“…The curvature of these tooth-like structures varies over a broader range, resulting in soil-engaging components bearing greater pressure per unit area. This maximizes soil stress concentration, enhances the soil crushing effect, and improves the cutting and fracturing of soil [ 89 ].…”

“… Mouthpart structure and motion inspired soil-engaging components. ( a ) Bionic straw returning blade [ 87 ], ( b ) bionic stubble-cutting device [ 89 ]. …”