Adjustable Front Lower Links for Super Steer Agricultural Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing front hitch power lift systems for super steer agricultural vehicles require multiple pairs of arms, necessitating inconvenient storage of non-in-use arms, as each pair must be replaced when a new configuration is needed.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a telescopic configuration with tubular housings and locking pins allows for adjustable arm extension, enabling arms to be locked in multiple configurations without replacement, including diverging shapes and L-shaped arms with sliding hooks to adapt to various appliances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pairs of arms are provided for different appliance configurations, then adaptability to various appliances is improved, but device complexity and storage requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to various appliancesVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The arm system is made dynamically adjustable through telescopic sections that can extend and retract, and pivot sections that can rotate to different angles. This allows a single pair of arms to adapt to multiple appliance configurations rather than requiring multiple fixed pairs, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The arms incorporate nested telescopic sections where one segment fits inside another, allowing the arm length to be variable. This nesting structure enables a single arm pair to replace multiple fixed-length arm pairs, reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pairs of arms are provided for different appliance configurations, then adaptability to various appliances is improved, but storage convenience worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to various appliancesVSAvoidstorage convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamically adjustable arm system can be collapsed to compact dimensions by retracting telescopic sections and rotating pivot sections to storage positions. This eliminates the need to store multiple separate arm pairs, improving storage convenience while maintaining adaptability through the adjustable mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple arm configurations are merged into a single adjustable arm pair. The arm can be reconfigured on-demand for different appliances, combining the functionality of multiple fixed arm pairs into one versatile unit that stores as a single component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If arm extension is made adjustable to reduce storage needs, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to maintain hook distance independent of arm extension worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidability to maintain hook distance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The arm system incorporates multiple independent degrees of freedom: telescopic extension, pivot rotation, and hook position adjustment. These dynamic elements can be adjusted independently, allowing the hook distance to be maintained at various arm extensions while keeping the overall system relatively simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The arm is divided into multiple independent segments: telescopic sections for length adjustment, pivot sections for angle adjustment, and hook mounting sections for position adjustment. This segmentation allows each segment to be adjusted independently, enabling hook distance to be maintained regardless of arm extension while keeping the overall structure manageable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4029359B1Front lower links system for super steer agricultural vehicle and super steer agricultural vehicle including the front lower links system
Publication Date: 2025.03.26 CNH IND ITALIA SPA
  • EP4029359B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4029359B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4029359B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Front lower links system (1) for super steer agricultural vehicle including a frame (F), a support (3) hinged to the frame and at least an actuator (23) interposed between the support and the frame to adjust an angular position of the support (3) with respect to the frame (F), the support being arranged to support two arms (11, 12) provided of relating hooks (12, 22), the device being characterized in that the arms extension is adjustable in such a way to define at least an operative extracted configuration and an operative retracted configuration of the arms