Adjustable Rake With Transverse Arm Positioners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural rakes lack the ability to adjust the width of the V-shaped formation and the interior raking mechanism, limiting their versatility and efficiency in forming windrows and transporting cut crops.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable rake design featuring wheeled carts with pivotable rake arm assemblies and splitter wheels that can move transversely to adjust the width of the V-shaped formation and rake interior, allowing for independent adjustment of the windrow width and interior raking without changing the angle of attack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the rake width is adjusted by changing the angle of attack, then the V-shaped formation width changes, but the windrow width also changes which is undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The rake structure is divided into independent adjustable components: the V-shaped formation width can be adjusted separately from the windrow width through independent rake arm positioners and splitter wheel mechanisms. This segmentation allows each function to be controlled independently, resolving the contradiction between adjusting overall rake width and maintaining consistent windrow width.
Solution Approach 2:
The rake incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow the V-shaped formation width to be changed without altering the angle of attack. The splitter wheels and rake arm positioners can move independently to adjust the V-shape while maintaining the windrow width, enabling dynamic adaptation without compromising windrow consistency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed width rakes are used, then the structure is simple, but the versatility for different field conditions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The rake employs dynamic adjustment mechanisms including movable splitter wheels and adjustable rake arm positioners that can be configured for different field conditions. These mechanisms allow the rake to adapt its V-shaped formation width and interior raking capability while maintaining a relatively simple base structure, balancing versatility with structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable rake design provides multi-functionality by enabling the same rake structure to operate in different width configurations and to rake both exterior and interior portions of the V-shaped formation. This universality allows a single rake to handle various field conditions without requiring multiple specialized devices.
3Productivity
If interior raking mechanisms are added, then material overturning for drying is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interior raking function is segmented as a separate capability from the main raking mechanism. Splitter wheels are positioned to rake only the interior portion of the V-shaped formation, while the main rake arms handle exterior material. This segmentation allows interior raking to be added without completely redesigning the main rake structure, minimizing the increase in overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The splitter wheels act as intermediary elements that provide interior raking functionality. These wheels are positioned between the main rake arms and the ground, mediating the raking action for interior material overturning while leaving the main raking mechanism unchanged, thus adding drying efficiency with minimal complexity increase.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable rake for raking agricultural products includes a wheeled cart configured to be pulled in a direction of travel on a surface of travel and first and second rake arm positioners coupled to the wheeled cart and configured to translate in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the wheeled cart. First and second front rake arm assemblies are pivotably coupled to the first and second rake arm positioners, respectively. First and second inner rear supports are included, and each of the first and second inner rear supports is pivotably coupled to the wheeled cart and is configured to pivot as a result of translation of the first and second rake arm positioners in the direction transverse to the direction of travel of the wheeled cart. The rake may include optional splitter wheels.