Adjustable Toolbar Alignment for Agricultural Tillage Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tillage implements have fixed alignment of ground engaging tools, which can affect tillage quality and require manual removal of accumulated field materials, leading to inefficiencies in agricultural operations.
Innovation Solution
A system with movable toolbars and an actuator allows for adjustable alignment of disk blades, enabling automatic adjustment of tool spacing to improve tillage performance and manage material accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the alignment of ground engaging tools is fixed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability and tillage quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the toolbar movable relative to the tractor, allowing the ground engaging tools to dynamically adjust their alignment and spacing positions. The toolbar can be moved between multiple discrete positions to change the alignment of disk blades and other tools, transforming a static fixed-alignment system into a dynamic adjustable one that adapts to different tillage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the spacing and alignment parameters of ground engaging tools through toolbar position adjustment. By changing the toolbar's position relative to the tractor, the system modifies critical parameters such as disk blade spacing, tool alignment, and ground engagement depth, enabling optimization of tillage quality for different field conditions without redesigning the entire implement.
2Productivity
If the ground engaging tools are closely spaced, then the tillage coverage is improved, but the material accumulation between tools increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic adjustment of toolbar position to change the spacing between ground engaging tools during operation. When material accumulation is detected or anticipated, the toolbar can be moved to a position that increases spacing between tools, allowing material to pass through more easily and preventing clogging, while maintaining close spacing when maximum tillage coverage is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spacing parameter between ground engaging tools by adjusting toolbar position. This parameter change allows the system to optimize the balance between tillage coverage (requiring close spacing) and material flow (requiring adequate spacing), enabling adaptation to different material conditions and preventing harmful accumulation.
3Reliability
If manual removal of material accumulation is performed, then the material blockage is resolved, but the time consumption and operational efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically preventing and resolving material accumulation issues through dynamic toolbar adjustment. When material accumulation is detected, the system autonomously moves the toolbar to a position that clears the blockage, eliminating the need for manual intervention and allowing the implement to continue operation without stopping for material removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the operation of ground engaging tools and detect material accumulation conditions. This feedback information is used to automatically trigger toolbar position adjustments that resolve blockages, creating a closed-loop system that maintains reliable operation without requiring manual inspection or intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for adjusting the alignment of ground engaging tools of an agricultural implement may include a first toolbar configured to support a first plurality of tools aligned along a first tool axis, and a second toolbar configured to support a second plurality of tools aligned along a second tool axis. The second toolbar may be movable relative to the first toolbar between a first toolbar position and a second toolbar position such that the second tool axis is movable relative to the first tool axis. The system may additionally include an actuator configured to actuate the second toolbar between the first toolbar position, where the first and second tool axes are substantially coincident, and the second toolbar position, where the second tool axis is substantially spaced apart from the first tool axis.