Bellcrank Activated Wheel Caster for Agricultural Planter Wing Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural planters face challenges in transitioning wing section wheels between working and transport configurations due to space constraints, as hydraulic cylinders either occupy valuable space for row units when located at the rear or interfere with folding when located at the front, limiting force and pressure and hindering efficient folding.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a caster assembly attached to a pivotable strut, with a lift cylinder located above and rearward of the wing section, connected to a bell crank and drop link, allows for raising and lowering of wing section wheels without occupying space at the rear or front, providing stable support in the working configuration and swiveling support in the transport configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hydraulic cylinders are located at the rear of the wing sections, then the wing section wheels can be raised and lowered, but valuable space needed for row units is occupied and the placement and spacing of row units is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The lift cylinder is repositioned from a horizontal arrangement (occupying rear space) to a vertical arrangement above the wing section. This dimensional change allows the cylinder to achieve the same lifting function while occupying space above rather than behind the wing section, thus preserving row unit space.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting mechanism is segmented into multiple components: the lift cylinder, bell crank, and caster assembly with strut. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned - the cylinder above the wing, the bell crank at the rear corner, and the caster assembly at the front - eliminating space conflicts while maintaining lifting functionality.
2Ease of operation
If hydraulic cylinders are located at the front of the wing sections, then the wing section wheels can be raised and lowered, but the folding of wing sections forward and close to the hitch bar is interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The lift cylinder is positioned vertically above the wing section rather than horizontally at the front, changing the spatial dimension of the lifting mechanism. This allows the wing section to fold forward closely to the hitch bar without the cylinder interfering with the folding path.
Solution Approach 2:
The bell crank acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates vertical cylinder motion into the lifting action of the caster assembly. This intermediary allows the cylinder to be positioned optimally above the wing section while still providing the necessary lifting force at the front caster assembly.
3Ease of operation
If hydraulic cylinders are located at the rear of the wing sections, then the wing section wheels can be raised and lowered, but the size and stroke of the hydraulic cylinders are limited so that less than optimal force and pressure must be used
Solution Approach 1:
Positioning the cylinder vertically above the wing section allows for a longer effective stroke and better mechanical advantage compared to a horizontal rear-mounted arrangement. This dimensional repositioning enables the use of smaller, more efficient cylinders with optimal force and pressure characteristics.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution maintains clear space for row units at the rear, minimizes forward intrusion, and ensures stable and swiveling support during configuration transitions, enabling efficient folding and transport while maintaining optimal placement and spacing of row units.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one wing section lift cylinder is connected to at least one bell crank, which is connected to at least one drop link, which is connected to the strut
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural planter has at least one wing section that can rotate forward to a transport configuration and can also rotate outward to a working configuration. The at least one wing section has a caster assembly attached to a strut pivotable between a raised position forward of the at least one wing section and a lowered position beneath the at least one wing section. At least one wing section lift cylinder is located above and horizontally rearward of the at least one wing section, and is connected to the at least one wing section using a rearward extending wing section lift cylinder mounting bracket. The at least one wing section lift cylinder is connected to at least one bell crank, which is connected to at least one drop link, which is connected to the strut.