Adjustable Drawbar with Sliding Connection and Pivot Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural tools in viticulture and arboriculture face challenges in maintaining alignment between motor means and motor vehicles, particularly during maneuvers like U-turns and aisle changes, due to the need for precise alignment of hydraulic pumps.

Innovation Solution

A modular drawbar device with a sliding connection to the chassis, a pivot support for maintaining hydraulic pump alignment, and a flexible hose guiding system that allows for rotational movement and length modulation without interfering with hose visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid drawbar connection is used between the motor vehicle and agricultural implement, then structural strength is improved, but the ability to maintain hydraulic pump alignment during maneuvers deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidhydraulic pump alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the rigid drawbar connection with a telescopic drawbar that includes a sliding connection between the first and second drawbar sections. This allows the drawbar length to be modulated dynamically during vehicle maneuvers, enabling the hydraulic pump to maintain alignment with the motor vehicle while preserving structural strength through the telescopic mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If the drawbar length is fixed, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different working conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddrawbar length adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the segmentation principle by dividing the drawbar into two separate sections (first drawbar section and second drawbar section) that can slide relative to each other. This segmentation allows the drawbar to achieve variable length functionality while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the use of standardized telescopic components and modular construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If hoses are routed freely without guidance, then hose flexibility is improved, but hose management and visibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehose flexibilityVSAvoidhose guidance system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a hose guidance system that acts as a mediator between the hydraulic pump and the agricultural implement. This guidance system includes hose guides and routing mechanisms that constrain hose movement in a controlled manner, maintaining hose flexibility for fluid transmission while improving hose management and visibility through structured routing paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4378288A1Adjustable tow bar device
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 NAOTEC
  • EP4378288A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4378288A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4378288A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a modular drawbar device (1) comprising a chassis (2) for carrying at least one agricultural implement (3), a drawbar (4) comprising, on the one hand, an end connected to the chassis (2), and on the other hand, an end connected to a coupling device (8) having means for attaching it to a motor vehicle, and a pivot support (10) for receiving a hydraulic pump (13) capable of being connected to the agricultural implement (3) by means of hoses (21, 22). According to the invention, the drawbar (4) comprises a sliding connection with the chassis (2) allowing the length of the drawbar (4) to be adjusted, the pivot support (10) is through the drawbar (4) allowing a pivot connection between the coupling device (8) connected to the hydraulic pump (13) and the drawbar (4), and a hose guidance system capable of guiding the hoses (21, 22) connecting the hydraulic pump (13) to the chassis (2).