Adjustable Drawbar Coupling for Towing Broken-Down Field Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for transporting autonomous agricultural machines, such as trailers, are inadequate when the machine breaks down during field operations or requires movement on public roads, necessitating an alternative transport method.
Innovation Solution
A towable vehicle with a rear and front axle, equipped with a towing assembly featuring a drawbar with adjustable coupling points, allowing connection to a towing vehicle, and actuators for lifting the front axle, ensuring the vehicle can be towed while maintaining ground engagement of the rear axle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a trailer is used to transport autonomous agricultural machines, then the machines can be transported on public roads or to different fields, but the solution becomes inadequate when the machine breaks down during field operations and requires immediate towing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the front axle liftable through a towing assembly with actuators. The front axle can dynamically change its position between grounded (for field operations) and lifted (for towing) states, allowing the agricultural machine to adapt to different operational modes including emergency breakdown scenarios where immediate towing is required
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the front axle is lifted by the towing assembly during towing, then the ground engaging means of the front axle are prevented from dragging and damage, but the complexity of the vehicle structure increases due to additional actuators and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by equipping the agricultural machine with a towing assembly that is pre-configured and ready for immediate deployment when towing is required. The actuators and drawbar are prepared in advance, allowing quick transition to towing mode without requiring external equipment or complex assembly procedures during emergency breakdown situations
Solution Approach 2:
The towing assembly serves multiple functions: it can lift the front axle during towing operations, provide structural support for the drawbar connection, and enable the vehicle to be towed by various towing vehicles through standardized coupling points. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized equipment
3Adaptability or versatility
If the coupling point height is made adjustable by actuators, then the towing assembly can accommodate different towing vehicles and ground conditions, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by making the coupling point height adjustable through actuators that can modify the vertical position of the drawbar connection. This allows the towing assembly to adapt to different towing vehicle hitch heights and varying ground conditions, enhancing compatibility while maintaining a relatively simple actuator system
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3A
Figure 3B
AI summary
A towable vehicle (300) can be towed by a towing vehicle (100) having a rear axle (402), a front axle (304), and a towing assembly (310). The towing assembly (310) has a drawbar (312) with at least one coupling point (314, 342). The height of at least one coupling point (314, 342) of a drawbar (312) of the towable vehicle (300) can be increased by a first actuator (318a, 318b) and/or a second actuator (112a, 112b). The at least one coupling point (314, 342) can be connected with the towing vehicle (100). The height of the at least one coupling point (314, 342) can be decreased and the front axle (304) of the towable vehicle (300) can be lifted.