Agricultural Tool Mounting Linkage for Ground Contour Following
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural tools attached to vehicles have limited freedom of movement, restricting their ability to closely follow uneven ground surfaces, which is essential for tasks like sowing, fertilizing, and ploughing.
Innovation Solution
A mounting system with a carrier frame, tool frame, and a linkage mechanism featuring primary and secondary connecting rods that allow independent rotation and movement, along with a stabilizing element to maintain orientation and prevent collapse, enabling the tool frame to move freely within a conical area and adjust to ground irregularities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the agricultural tool is rigidly fixed to the vehicle, then the structural stability and simplicity are improved, but the freedom of movement and ability to follow ground contours deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system transitions from a rigid fixed connection to a dynamic articulated linkage mechanism. The tool frame is connected to the carrier frame through multiple connecting rods (first connecting rod, second connecting rod, third connecting rod) that can rotate relative to each other, allowing the tool to dynamically adapt its position and orientation to follow ground contours while maintaining structural integrity through the interconnected mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is divided into multiple independent segments - the carrier frame, tool frame, and intermediate linkage components (connecting rods, stabilizing elements). Each segment can move independently through rotational joints, enabling the tool frame to follow ground irregularities while the carrier frame remains stable on the vehicle. This segmentation allows simultaneous structural stability and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connecting rods are used to increase freedom of movement, then the adaptability to ground surface is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple connecting rods (first, second, and third connecting rods) are merged into a single integrated linkage mechanism that shares common rotational joints and coordination. The stabilizing elements are combined with the connecting rods, allowing the stabilizing elements to rotate relative to the connecting rods. This merging reduces the number of independent control systems needed while maintaining the freedom of movement required to follow ground contours.
3Manufacturing precision
If the tool frame is allowed to move freely to follow ground contours, then the precision of ground following is improved, but the stability during transport deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage mechanism provides dynamic stability through its articulated structure. During transport on level ground, the connecting rods and stabilizing elements maintain the tool frame in a stable position through the mechanical constraints of the linkage. When ground irregularities are encountered, the same linkage allows the tool frame to dynamically adjust its position to follow the contours, achieving both transport stability and ground following precision through the same mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a mounting for an agricultural tool, having a carrier frame provided with coupling means for coupling to a vehicle; a tool frame; a linkage mechanism via which the tool frame is movably connected to the carrier frame, wherein the linkage mechanism is provided with primary connecting rods which are each connected to the carrier frame so as to be rotatable about a first connection, and at least two secondary connecting rods which are each connected to the primary connecting rods so as to be rotatable about a second connection, and act rotatably on the tool frame by means of a third connection. The invention also concerns an agricultural tool provided with such a mounting, and a method in which such a mounting is used.