Agricultural Machinery Hydraulic Sub-Frame Folding Sequence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural machinery, such as tedders, face challenges in ensuring correct folding of sub-frames during transport to avoid interference and damage, particularly due to the need for precise sequential folding to prevent collisions between overlapping wheels and tines.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic system with flow dividers and recirculation valves coordinates the movement of sub-frames, ensuring the first sub-frame is folded into its transport position before the second, using a differential hydraulic flow rate to prioritize the movement of the first sub-frame and prevent collisions, while allowing recirculation of fluid to maintain pressure and facilitate smooth folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If sub-frames are folded simultaneously to reduce transport width, then transport compliance is improved, but collision risk between overlapping wheels and tines increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by folding the first sub-frame into its transport position before folding the second sub-frame. The control unit detects when the first sub-frame has reached its transport position and only then initiates folding of the second sub-frame, preventing collisions between overlapping components while achieving compact transport width
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from position sensors on the sub-frames to control the folding sequence. The control unit continuously monitors the position of the first sub-frame and uses this feedback to determine when it is safe to begin folding the second sub-frame, ensuring reliable collision-free operation
2Reliability
If sequential folding is implemented to prevent collisions, then folding safety is improved, but transport time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by folding sub-frames in sequence rather than simultaneously, but only folds the second sub-frame after the first has reached its transport position. This partial sequencing prevents collisions while minimizing the time penalty compared to waiting for complete sequential folding of all sub-frames
Solution Approach 2:
The first sub-frame is folded into its transport position as a preliminary action before the second sub-frame is folded. This preliminary folding creates the safe configuration needed for subsequent folding operations, enabling efficient sequential processing
3Manufacturing precision
If differential hydraulic flow rates are used to control folding sequence, then folding precision is improved, but hydraulic system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses hydraulic actuators with differential flow rates to control the folding sequence. By adjusting the hydraulic flow rate to the first actuator versus the second actuator, the system achieves precise control over the folding sequence without requiring complex mechanical linkages or control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic system acts as an intermediary between the control unit and the sub-frame folding mechanism. The control unit sends hydraulic commands through the hydraulic circuit, which translates these commands into precise differential movement of the sub-frames, simplifying the overall control architecture
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
This solution ensures reliable and safe folding of sub-frames, preventing damage and interference, and allows for efficient conversion between working and transport positions, adhering to traffic regulations by maintaining a compact width during transport.
Implementation Method 1
a pump for providing the first and second hydraulic circuits with hydraulic fluid flow
Implementation Method 2
a first flow divider for dividing the hydraulic fluid flow between the first and second hydraulic circuits
Implementation Method 3
a first recirculation valve arrangement configured to enable recirculation of hydraulic fluid in the first hydraulic circuit
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an agricultural machinery comprising: a main frame (14); a first sub-frame (18) movable with respect to the main frame (14) between a transport position and a working position; a second sub-frame (20) movable with respect to the main frame (14) between a transport position and a working position; a first hydraulic actuator (114) for moving the first sub-frame (18) between its transport position and its working position, the first hydraulic actuator (114) being part of a first hydraulic circuit (102); a second hydraulic actuator (116) for moving the second sub-frame (20) between its transport position and its working position, the second hydraulic actuator (116) being part of a second hydraulic circuit (104); and a hydraulic system (100) comprising a pump for providing the first and second hydraulic circuits (102, 104) with hydraulic fluid flow, the hydraulic system (100) comprising a first flow divider (112) for dividing the hydraulic fluid flow between the first and second hydraulic actuators, the first flow divider (112) being capable of coordinating the movement of the first and second hydraulic actuators (114, 116); a first recirculation valve arrangement configured to enable recirculation of hydraulic fluid in the first hydraulic circuit (102), when the first sub-frame (18) is in its transport position.