Agricultural Machine Pressure Relief Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing haymaking machines, such as rotary rakes, face issues with soil compaction at large working widths due to the weight of rotor wheels, which is not effectively managed by current weight relief mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The agricultural machine incorporates a pressure relief device with a spring or hydraulic cylinder system that adjusts the distance between the working unit and the arm axis, increasing the relief force proportionally with distance, thereby reducing the net weight on the soil and minimizing damage. This system includes a lever, drawing element, and lifting mechanism for easy and robust adjustment of the working unit's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the working width is increased by moving the working unit farther from the arm axis, then the processing capacity is improved, but the soil compaction worsens due to increased weight on the soil
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a pressure relief device that generates an upward relief force on the carrier arm to counterbalance the downward gravitational force of the working unit. This counterweight mechanism reduces the net weight transmitted to the soil, allowing the working unit to be positioned farther from the arm axis (increasing working width) without causing excessive soil compaction. The relief force is positively coupled with the distance, automatically providing appropriate counterbalance as the working unit moves outward.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of relief force dynamically based on the position of the working unit. By positively coupling the relief force with the distance between the working unit and arm axis, the system automatically adjusts the counterbalancing force as the working width is modified, maintaining optimal soil pressure conditions across different working widths.
2Device complexity
If manual adjustment of relief spring force is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation worsens due to requiring manual force for adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical manual adjustment system with a hybrid system that incorporates a drawing element (such as a hydraulic cylinder or pneumatic actuator) coupled to the pressure relief device. This substitution allows electronic or automated control of the relief force, eliminating the need for manual force application while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
3Force
If the distance between working unit and arm axis is increased, then the relief force is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional coupling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the pressure relief device with a drawing element that serves multiple functions: it couples the working unit position to the relief force generation, provides automated adjustment, and maintains force transmission. This multi-functional element achieves the positive coupling between distance and relief force without requiring separate complex mechanisms for each function.
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
The solution allows for better soil protection by distributing the weight more evenly, reducing soil compaction and enabling easy adjustment of the working width without manual force, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing soil damage across various working conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure relief device comprises a pressure relief element designed as a spring and the relief force is dependent from the length of the spring
Implementation Method 2
the pressure relief device comprises pressure relief element designed as a hydraulic cylinder with a chamber fluidly coupled to a gas accumulator
Implementation Method 3
By adding more oil in the circuit the operator can increase the pressure and therewith increase the relief force
Implementation Method 4
the carrier arm comprises a lever coupled to the carrier arm via a lever axis, coupled to the pressure relief element and coupled to a drawing element
Implementation Method 5
coupled to a drawing element, said drawing element connects the working unit with the lever
Data Source
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AI summary
An agricultural machine (1), in particular a haymaking machine, for example a rotary rake, the agricultural machine (1 )comprising: - a central frame (2), - at least one carrier arm (3) which being connected to the central frame (2) in such a way that the carrier arm (3) can pivot about a horizontal arm axis (4) in working position, - a working unit (5) being connected to the carrier arm (3) in such a way that the working unit (5) can be displaced, as seen in the longitudinal direction of the carrier arm (3), with respect to the carrier arm (3) for adjusting the position of working unit (5) relative to the central frame (2), - a pressure relief device (6) for applying an upward relief force to the carrier arm (3) in the working position, said pressure relief device (6) being coupled with one end to the central frame (2) and the other to the carrier arm (3),characterized inthat the pressure relief device (6) is designed in such a way that in working position of the agricultural machine (1), the distance between the working unit (5) and the arm axis (4) is positively coupled with the relief force applied by the pressure relief device (6) such that a larger distance induces a larger relief force.