Adjustable Weed Harrow With Independent Basket Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical weed harrows are not easily adaptable to various field configurations and maintain or modify settings when claw teeth are retracted, limiting their versatility and precision in weeding.
Innovation Solution
A weed harrow design with adjustable pressure, aggressiveness, and retractable claw teeth, featuring a chassis with pivotally mounted bars and tension springs, and hydraulic actuators for independent control of each basket, allowing for precise adjustments and easy retraction of claw teeth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the scratching teeth are retracted to avoid already weeded areas, then the harrow can adapt to different field configurations, but the settings (pressure, aggressiveness) cannot be maintained or modified
Solution Approach 1:
The harrow is divided into multiple independent baskets, each with its own actuators for retraction, pressure adjustment, and aggressiveness control. This segmentation allows individual baskets to be retracted without affecting the settings of other baskets, enabling field adaptation while maintaining operational control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic actuators to dynamically adjust the position of scratching teeth between retracted and working positions, and to modify pressure and aggressiveness settings in real-time. This dynamic control allows settings to be maintained or modified during operation regardless of tooth retraction state.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple actuators are added for independent control of pressure, aggressiveness, and retraction, then adjustment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each basket is equipped with a standardized set of three actuators that provide multi-functional control: retraction actuator for position change, pressure adjustment actuator for force control, and aggressiveness adjustment actuator for orientation control. This universal configuration across all baskets reduces overall system complexity through standardization while maintaining precise independent control of each basket.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy and lasting adjustments of pressure, aggressiveness, and position of claw teeth, ensuring durability and precision in weeding, with independent control of each basket's settings, allowing for efficient and precise mechanical weeding across different field configurations.
Implementation Method 1
each gripping tooth being associated with a pulling point to a traction spring tending to return it to its working position
Implementation Method 2
an aggressiveness adjustment actuator arranged between the chassis and the upper end of an arm pivotally mounted at its lower end on said chassis
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A harrow (1) is equipped with at least one chassis (2) arranged to be hitched to an agricultural vehicle and supporting a plurality of baskets (5) each comprising two longitudinal members extending parallel to the sagittal plane P of said chassis (2) and under the latter, and a plurality of parallel bars arranged under said longitudinal members, mounted pivotally on the latter around an axis perpendicular to said sagittal plane P and connected to each other by a rod, each bar receiving a plurality of raking tines (6) each being mounted pivotally on said bar around an axis perpendicular to said sagittal plane P between a working position and a retracted position and vice versa, each raking tine (6) is associated with a pull point to a tension spring tending to return it to its working position.