Agricultural Implement Three-Point Coupling Pivot Lever Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing attachments with three-point coupling elements face challenges in cramped mounting conditions due to protruding support arms, which obstruct the coupling process and require stable design to absorb both shear and lifting forces.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates pivoting levers with joints positioned near the upper link connection point, where the adjustment device is located closer to the lower link connection point than the joint, allowing only horizontal forces to be absorbed by the adjustment device, and vertical forces by the pivoting levers, minimizing protrusion and optimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If support arms are designed to be stable and solid to absorb shear and lifting forces, then the attachment can withstand operational forces, but the support arms protrude over the lower link connection elements and obstruct the coupling process in cramped mounting conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into two functional parts: adjustable lower link connection elements for coupling and fixed support arms for force absorption. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the connection elements can be compact and adjustable while the support arms remain stable and positioned away from the coupling area.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting device is extracted from the support arm structure and positioned separately on the frame. This removes the source of protrusion from the coupling area while maintaining the force absorption function through the support arms, eliminating the obstruction problem while preserving structural strength.
2Adaptability or versatility
If lower link connection elements are pushed further onto support arms to adjust position, then the connection points can be positioned in desired locations, but the protruding ends of support arms extend far into the tractor space and become obstructive
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the adjustment function (lower link connection elements on adjustable supports) from the structural support function (fixed support arms). This allows full position adjustment capability while keeping the main support structure compact and non-obstructive in the tractor space.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism operates in the longitudinal direction (along the attachment frame) rather than requiring the support arms to extend laterally into the tractor space. This dimensional change in the adjustment approach eliminates space occupation problems while maintaining adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustment devices are positioned to allow close coupling of lower link connection elements to the frame, then the attachment adapts to cramped mounting conditions, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the support arms adjustable to achieve position variation, the invention inverts the approach by making the lower link connection elements adjustable on fixed support arms. This simplifies the overall structure while achieving the same adaptability goal.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting device uses a simple copying mechanism where the position of the lower link connection element is replicated at different fixed positions along the support arm, allowing discrete position selection without complex continuous adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
Implement with three-point coupling elements (3, 4) arranged on its coupling side on its frame (1) for attachment to a tractor having a three-point coupler with lower link arms and top link, wherein the three-point coupling elements of the implement have a top link connection element (4) and two lower link connection elements (3) for coupling to the lower link arms and the top link, wherein the two lower link connection elements (3) are assigned adjusting devices (11) by means of which the respective lower connection point (8) can be adjusted and fixed in different positions in and against the direction of travel.In order to create a simple and stable adjustment option for adjustable lower link connections even in confined installation conditions, it is provided that the two lower link connection elements (3) are each arranged on pivot levers (7) which are articulated to the frame (1) by means of a joint (10) located at a distance from the respective lower link connection element (3), and that the pivot levers (7) can be fixed in different positions and distances for the lower connection points (8) of the lower link connection elements (3) to the frame (1) by means of the adjustment devices (11).