Anti-tangle Harrow Attachment for Tillage Implements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tillage implements face challenges in maintaining effective ground engagement and orientation, particularly in varying soil conditions, due to entanglement issues with wings and tools during folding and unfolding, which affects their efficiency and compactness for transport.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an anti-tangle harrow attachment with pivot links that allow the harrow ranks to pivot from a ground-engaging position to a tripped position, reducing obstruction during folding and enhancing ground-following capabilities by maintaining proper tool alignment and spacing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the tillage implement is designed with wings and tools arranged for ground-working, then ground-working performance is improved, but entanglement occurs during folding and unfolding
Solution Approach 1:
The harrow attachment is divided into multiple independent harrow ranks (first harrow rank, second harrow rank, etc.) that can move relative to each other. Each rank is supported by its own pivot link assembly, allowing independent movement and preventing entanglement during folding operations while maintaining ground-working functionality when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The harrow ranks are made dynamically movable through pivot link assemblies that allow them to pivot between operational positions (engaged with ground) and retracted positions (above ground during folding). This dynamic capability enables the implement to transition smoothly between ground-working mode and transport mode without entanglement.
2Reliability
If the harrow ranks are kept in ground-engaging position, then ground-following capability is improved, but obstruction occurs during folding
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot link assemblies enable the harrow ranks to dynamically change position between ground-engaging orientation and retracted orientation above the ground. This dynamic positioning allows the ranks to be engaged with the ground during forward motion for ground-following, then easily retracted during folding without obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot link assemblies are pre-configured with appropriate pivot points and ranges of motion that allow the harrow ranks to be automatically positioned in the correct orientation during folding operations. The preliminary design of the pivot mechanism ensures smooth transition without requiring manual intervention or causing obstruction.
3Area of stationary object
If the implement is designed with extended wings for ground-working, then ground coverage is improved, but frame depth increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harrow ranks are designed to pivot vertically within the frame depth envelope, allowing extended ground coverage when operational while retracting above the ground when folding. This vertical movement capability enables the implement to maintain large ground coverage area during operation without permanently increasing the frame depth that would obstruct folding.
Data Source
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AI summary
A harrow attachment (400) for a tillage implement is disclosed. The harrow attachment (400), comprising: a harrow drawbar (300, 300') configured to mount to a frame member (130) of the tillage implement; at least one harrow rank having a rank bar (410, 510) supporting a plurality of harrowing tools oriented to extend away from the rank bar (410, 510); and an anti-tangle bracket assembly (440) having a first pivot link (450) coupled to the harrow drawbar (300, 300') and a second pivot link (460) pivotally coupled to the at least one harrow rank; wherein the first and second pivot links (450, 452) pivot about pivot axes (454, 456, 458) with respect to one another within a pivotal range of movement of the at least one harrow rank from a first, extended engaging position to a second, tripped position that is above and behind, in a direction of travel of the tillage implement, the first, ground engaging position. Further, a tillage implement with a harrow attachment (400) is disclosed.