Agricultural Loader Loading Flap Adjustment via Ground-Level Lever

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural loading wagons require laborious and time-consuming manual adjustments of the loading flap to accommodate different crop types, posing safety risks and inefficiencies in operation.

Innovation Solution

A manual adjustment mechanism for the loading flap, accessible from the ground, using a transmission gear and a manual adjusting lever to easily set various operating positions without tools, combined with a holding device and sensor system for automatic scraper floor activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the loading flap is made height-adjustable to accommodate different crop types and loading requirements, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the adjustment mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different crop typesVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The loading flap is designed with a height-adjustable mechanism that allows it to change position dynamically. The adjustment mechanism includes a manual adjusting lever connected via transmission gear to the loading flap, enabling it to be moved between different height positions to accommodate various crop types and loading requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The loading flap's height parameter can be changed to suit different operational conditions. By adjusting the height of the loading flap, the system adapts to different crop types (e.g., hay versus grass) and loading space utilization requirements, transforming a fixed-parameter component into a variable-parameter one.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the adjustment mechanism is made accessible from ground level, then the ease of operation is improved, but the transmission gear complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of adjustmentVSAvoidcomplexity of transmission gear
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A transmission gear acts as an intermediary mechanism between the manual adjusting lever at ground level and the loading flap positioned higher up. This transmission gear transmits the adjusting movement from the ground-level lever to the loading flap, enabling easy operation from ground level while maintaining mechanical connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The manual adjusting lever with transmission gear replaces the need for operators to physically access and manually adjust the loading flap at height. The mechanical system substitutes human physical intervention at dangerous heights with a ground-level control mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a manual adjusting lever is provided on the outer side at ground level, then the safety is improved by eliminating the need to climb, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety risk of climbingVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment control function is extracted from the loading flap itself and placed at ground level via the manual adjusting lever. This extraction allows the operator to control the loading flap height from a safe position on the ground, removing the need to climb onto the loading space wall or into the loading area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission gear serves as a mechanical intermediary that connects the ground-level adjusting lever to the elevated loading flap. This intermediary mechanism transmits the adjustment force and movement from the safe ground level to the loading flap, eliminating direct human exposure to hazardous positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the loading flap is made pivotally mounted to allow various operating positions, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariety of operating positionsVSAvoidcomplexity of mounting mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The loading flap is pivotally mounted on the upper front wall section, allowing it to rotate and assume various operating positions dynamically. This pivotal mounting enables the loading flap to be adjusted to different angles and heights depending on the crop type and loading requirements, transforming a static component into a dynamic one.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4256947B1Agricultural loader
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 ALOIS POETTINGER MASCHFAB
  • EP4256947B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4256947B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4256947B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an agricultural loading wagon with a receiving device for picking up harvested crops from the ground and a loading space for storing the picked-up harvested crops, wherein a loading flap is pivotably and/or height-adjustably mounted on an upper front wall section of a front wall of the loading space, wherein an adjustment mechanism for setting different operating positions of the loading flap is provided, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a hand-operated lever for tool-free, manual adjustment of different operating positions of the loading flap, which is arranged on an outside of the loading space below half the height of the loading space and is connected to the loading flap by a transmission gear.