Agricultural Machine Chassis Segmented Arm Terrain Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural machines with trailed frames and transverse beams face damage when operating on sloping terrain due to lateral sections pivoting, leading to equipment malfunction and high repair costs.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates extension arms and intermediate arms with horizontal and vertical articulations, ensuring working members remain stationary relative to the central section, preventing damage from terrain inclines by allowing extension arms to pivot while intermediate arms maintain a fixed position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If lateral sections are made to pivot around horizontal joints to follow ground slopes, then the machine can adapt to terrain variations, but the working members may move closer to central section equipment causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterrain following capabilityVSAvoidequipment damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lateral section is divided into two independent arms: an extension arm that pivots to follow terrain and an intermediate arm that remains stationary relative to the central section. This segmentation allows the extension arm to adapt to ground slopes while the intermediate arm maintains a fixed position, preventing damage to working members and central section equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the outer end of lateral section is brought into lower position to follow terrain, then terrain following is improved, but the inclination causes damage to sowing unit and equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslope following capabilityVSAvoiddamage to sowing unit
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lateral section is divided into two independent arms: an extension arm that pivots to follow terrain and an intermediate arm that remains stationary relative to the central section. This segmentation allows the extension arm to adapt to ground slopes while the intermediate arm maintains a fixed position, preventing damage to working members and central section equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If wide working strip of at least 12 meters is implemented, then productivity is improved, but folding side sections for transport increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking widthVSAvoidfolding mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lateral sections are designed as dynamic, foldable structures with vertical articulations that allow them to pivot forward during transport and extend during field operations. This dynamic configuration enables the machine to achieve a wide 12-meter working width for high productivity while automatically reducing to a compact form for road transport compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2863727B1Agricultural machine having an improved chassis
Publication Date: 2021.01.13 KUHN SA
  • EP2863727B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2863727B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2863727B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an agricultural machine (1) for working the soil or for sowing seeds, having a trailed chassis (2) and working members (3) distributed on a transverse beam (4) comprising a central section (5) provided with wheels (6) and two side sections (7) extending on either side of said central section (5) when working, each end of said central section (5) bearing on the ground via a wheel (6). The agricultural machine is characterised in that each side section (7) consists of an extension arm (9) and an intermediate arm (10), said extension arm (9) being linked to said intermediate arm (10) by means of a horizontal hinge (11) having a substantially horizontal axis and directed in the work direction of advance, and in that each intermediate arm (10) is connected to said chassis (2) via a vertical hinge (8) and supports at least one working member (3).