Agricultural Machine Centering Device with Telescopic Jaw
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centering devices for agricultural machines are bulky, complex, and lack reliability, particularly in ensuring precise centering and locking during transport and operation, often compromising ground clearance and requiring complex constructions.
Innovation Solution
A centering device that utilizes a connecting piece forming a rocker, with antagonistic members allowing free rotation in the lowered position and maintaining alignment in the raised position, using the lifting movement to achieve centering and locking, and optionally incorporating telescopic bars, flexible links, or hydraulic actuators for control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the centering jaw is widened to increase angular displacement at work, then the angular movement range is improved, but the device becomes bulky and ground clearance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The centering jaw is made telescopic with variable width that adapts to the operational mode: in wide position for work operations to accommodate large angular displacements, and in narrow position for transport to minimize bulk and maintain ground clearance. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between needing wide angular movement range and avoiding excessive device bulk.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometric parameter of the centering jaw (its width) is made variable through telescopic mechanism, allowing the system to change its physical dimensions based on operational requirements. This parameter change enables the device to provide both large angular displacement capability and compact transport configuration.
2Manufacturing precision
If the centering jaw is made deeper to maintain high slope for good recentering, then the recentering precision is improved, but the sag of the machine in raised position increases and ground clearance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The centering jaw depth is made variable through telescopic adjustment, allowing it to be extended when recentering precision is needed and retracted when ground clearance is prioritized. This dynamic depth adjustment resolves the contradiction between recentering precision and machine sag.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometric parameter of the centering jaw (its depth) is made variable, enabling the system to optimize the slope angle for precise recentering when required, while avoiding excessive depth that would cause machine sag and reduce ground clearance during transport.
3Reliability
If a complex centering device with multiple components is used to ensure reliable centering and locking, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions (centering, locking, and angular displacement control) are merged into a single integrated telescopic centering jaw mechanism. This unified structure provides reliable performance across all functions while avoiding the complexity of separate mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic centering jaw serves multiple purposes: it provides centering action, locking capability, and accommodates both small and large angular displacements depending on its extended or retracted state. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to an agricultural machine comprising a drawbar carrying at least one working tool, and a hitch frame for coupling the agricultural machine to a three-point linkage of a tractor and carrier vehicle. The elongated support element is connected to the hitch frame by a pivot joint with a substantially vertical axis. The machine can be moved between a lowered and a raised position. A centering device is provided for moving and maintaining the elongated support element at a predetermined angular position around the pivot joint with the hitch frame. This centering or alignment device comprises a connecting piece that is moved during the lifting operation.agricultural machine characterized in that the connecting piece (7) is also functionally connected to two elements (8, 8') capable of activating in rotation in an antagonistic manner the elongated support element (2) around its pivot connection with the hitching frame (4), said elements (8, 8') moving and holding the elongated support element (2) in its determined angular position in the raised position of said machine (1).