Agricultural Machine Folding Mechanism for Transport Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural machines with side units that fold for transport often experience instability due to the center of gravity shifting away from the median plane, leading to tilting risks during transport, especially on bends and slopes, which can cause damage and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
The machine incorporates an articulation with a tilting axis transverse to the longitudinal direction, positioning each tool unit closer to the median plane in the transport position, thereby reducing the risk of tilting and maintaining stability while adhering to legal transport dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the side units are folded for transport with the tool units located on the outside of the machine, then the transport width is reduced to respect legal dimensions, but the centre of gravity moves further from the median plane causing instability and tilting risk
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of folding the side units outward as in conventional designs, this patent inverts the folding direction so that the tool units are positioned inward toward the median plane during transport. This reversal of the folding direction simultaneously achieves reduced transport width and improved stability by keeping the center of gravity closer to the centerline.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a tilting axis that enables rotation of the side units about a transverse axis, adding a new dimensional degree of freedom. This allows the tool units to be tilted inward during transport, achieving both width reduction and center of gravity optimization through motion in a previously unused rotational dimension.
2Volume of moving object
If the side units are folded for transport, then the machine dimensions are reduced, but the risk of tilting increases particularly in bends and slopes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional folding approach by positioning tool units inward rather than outward during transport. This inversion fundamentally changes the stability characteristics, eliminating the tilting hazard while maintaining the compact dimensions needed for safe transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The design proactively prevents tilting by configuring the folded position to naturally counteract the instability problem. By pre-positioning the tool units inward toward the median plane, the system creates a stable center of gravity configuration that resists tilting forces before they can occur during transport on bends or slopes.
3Productivity
If the tool units are positioned with their length extending transversely in work position, then the working efficiency is maximized, but the transport width exceeds legal limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic positioning of the side units through folding and tilting mechanisms. The tool units can maintain their transverse orientation for optimal working efficiency during operation, then dynamically fold and tilt to a compact inward position for transport, adapting their configuration to the operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The side units are designed as separable, articulated segments that can independently fold and tilt relative to the main machine body. This segmentation allows the tool units to be repositioned without affecting the overall machine structure, enabling efficient work positioning and compact transport configuration to be achieved independently.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural machine includes two side units and a chassis that extends in a longitudinal direction and is equipped with two wheels, each side unit being fitted to pivot in relation to the chassis around a folding axis parallel to a median plane of the chassis. Each side unit includes a tool unit connected to the chassis by an arm and being able to occupy a work position in which the length of the tool unit extends transversely to the longitudinal direction. Each side unit is also able to occupy a transport position in which the length and width of the tool unit are parallel to the median plane. The machine includes a tilter articulated with the chassis around one tilting axis oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction, and in the transport position of the side units, each tool unit is closer to the median plane than the respective arm.