Coaxial Windrowing Assemblies for Compact Side-Delivery Rake Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Side-delivery rakes face challenges in maneuverability and transportation due to their size discrepancy between working and transport configurations, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies, and difficulties in navigating unstraight paths without proper forage collection.

Innovation Solution

A side-delivery rake with coaxial windrowing assemblies and a compact frame design, featuring a longitudinal bar, bridge-type supporting structure, and three-point hitch connections, allowing for rotation and adjustment to maintain a wide working spread while being easily transportable, utilizing a single hinge pin for compactness and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the side-delivery rake is designed with a large working spread to process a given area efficiently, then productivity is improved, but the device size in road transport configuration increases requiring special transport arrangements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking spreadVSAvoidtransport configuration size
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The windrowing assemblies are designed to be rotatable between working and transport positions. In the working position, the assemblies are lowered and spread wide to maximize processing area. In the transport position, the assemblies are rotated upward and inward, reducing the overall width and length to fit standard transport restrictions without requiring special arrangements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes vertical rotation of the windrowing assemblies to achieve compactness in the horizontal transport dimension. By rotating the assemblies upward and inward about vertical axes, the device reduces its horizontal footprint while maintaining its processing capability when in the working position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the distance between windrowing assemblies is increased to provide structural support, then stability is improved, but maneuverability deteriorates when navigating curved paths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmaneuverability on curved paths
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The windrowing assemblies are connected to the frame via rotatable connections that allow dynamic adjustment during operation. When navigating curved paths, the assemblies can rotate independently to follow the frame's motion, maintaining coordinated operation and proper forage collection even on tight curves

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention allows the operational parameters of the windrowing assemblies (such as their angular position and spacing) to change dynamically based on the operating conditions. During curved path navigation, the assemblies adjust their positions to maintain optimal performance while reducing the effective radius constraint

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2807913B1Two-comb side-delivery rake having windrowing assemblies with coaxial hinges
Publication Date: 2016.04.13 REPOSSI MACCHINE AGRI
  • EP2807913B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2807913B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2807913B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A side-delivery rake comprises: a frame (2), connectable to an automotive vehicle (39) for transport in a travelling direction (D); a comb-type first windrowing assembly (4) and second windrowing assembly (5), which are fitted to the frame (2) and movable angularly, with respect to the frame (2) and transverse to a travelling direction (D) between respective working positions, in which the first windrowing assembly (4) and the second windrowing assembly (5) are lowered, and respective transport positions, in which the first windrowing assembly (4) and the second windrowing assembly (5) are lifted. The first windrowing assembly (4) and the second windrowing assembly (5) are hinged to the frame (2) and are rotatable about a common rotation axis (A).