Carrier Assembly Lateral Adjustment and Transport Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carrier assemblies for agricultural machines lack the ability to adjust the cutter unit's position laterally relative to the tractor, are vulnerable to damage from obstacles, and require complex mechanisms that increase manufacturing costs and reduce stability during uneven terrain operations.
Innovation Solution
A carrier assembly with a pivot mechanism, suspension system, and locking mechanism that allows lateral adjustment of the cutter unit, independent vertical movement, and secure transport position, featuring a telescopic carrier arm and shared actuators to simplify the structure and enhance stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex mechanism is used to enable lateral adjustment of the cutter unit, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a telescopic carrier arm with nested sections that can extend and retract laterally. The inner arm section is housed within the outer arm section, allowing compact storage when not in use and lateral extension when adjustment is needed. This nested structure provides lateral adjustment capability without requiring complex external mechanisms, thus improving adaptability while controlling device complexity.
2Strength
If a rigid connection is used between the carrier arm and operating unit, then the strength is improved, but the reliability decreases due to vulnerability to obstacle damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid connections with a pivot mechanism that allows the carrier arm to rotate relative to the operating unit. This dynamic connection enables the system to adapt to obstacles by allowing relative movement and rotation, absorbing impact forces that would otherwise be transmitted directly through a rigid connection. The pivot mechanism maintains strong attachment while providing flexibility to handle unexpected obstacles, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing strength.
3Device complexity
If a simple pivot mechanism is used for the carrier arm, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability decreases on uneven terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the carrier arm into multiple segmented sections that can move independently relative to each other. The carrier arm consists of an inner section and an outer section connected by a pivot mechanism, allowing each segment to adapt to terrain variations independently. This segmentation maintains overall system stability on uneven terrain while keeping the pivot mechanism relatively simple, as each segment handles only local adjustments rather than requiring the entire arm to be complex.
4Ease of manufacture
If the carrier arm is fixed in position, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a telescopic carrier arm with sections that can extend and retract laterally through a relatively simple actuation mechanism. The dynamic telescopic structure allows the arm to adjust its length and position to accommodate different working conditions and crop types. This dynamic capability is achieved through straightforward mechanical extension and retraction mechanisms rather than complex multi-component systems, maintaining ease of manufacture while significantly improving adaptability compared to fixed-position arms.
Data Source
AI summary
A carrier assembly for an operating unit of an agricultural machine includes a carrier arm, a suspension system for suspending an operating unit from the carrier arm and a mounting structure for mounting the carrier arm on a carrier vehicle. A pivot mechanism enables pivoting movement of the carrier arm relative to the mounting structure, and a first actuator drives pivoting movement of the carrier arm between a working position and a transport position. The carrier assembly includes a releasable locking mechanism for locking the carrier arm in the transport position. The locking mechanism includes a first locking element carried by the mounting structure and a second locking element carried by the carrier arm, which is engageable with the first locking element when the carrier arm is in the transport position.