Agricultural Implement Coupling Apparatus with Dynamic Weight Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling apparatus for agricultural implements like mowers to tractors face instability due to varying effective weight as they move over obstacles and terrain, leading to erratic mowing performance.
Innovation Solution
A coupling apparatus with a take-up element and compensating means that maintains a constant weight taken up by the implement as it moves upwardly and downwardly, using a linkage mechanism and actuator elements to adjust the take-up element's tension and maintain effective weight on the ground.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a tension spring is used to take up the weight of the mower, then the effective weight of the mower bearing on the ground is reduced, but the effective weight becomes unstable and varies erratically as the mower moves over terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the take-up element (spring) work in conjunction with a dynamically adjustable linkage mechanism. The linkage includes movable arms that can change their configuration in response to the mower's position, allowing the system to maintain stable weight compensation despite the dynamic movement of the mower over terrain. This resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage mechanism serves as a feedback system that responds to the mower's position and orientation. As the mower moves over terrain, the linkage detects changes in position and automatically adjusts the geometry of the arms to maintain consistent spring tension characteristics. This feedback mechanism ensures stable effective weight bearing on the ground while still providing weight reduction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the mower is made heavier to maintain stable mowing contact with the ground, then mowing stability improves, but the mower cannot rise over obstructions and follow terrain contours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the anti-weight principle by using a tension spring to counteract a portion of the mower's weight. The spring is arranged to provide upward force that offsets the downward gravitational force on the mower, reducing the effective weight bearing on the ground to an optimal range (200-400kg). This allows the mower to be physically heavy for stability but effectively light enough to follow terrain contours and rise over obstructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage mechanism provides dynamic adaptability, allowing the mower to adjust its position and orientation in response to terrain variations. The movable arms can change their angles and lengths to accommodate the mower rising over obstructions or following ground contours, maintaining stable mowing performance across varying terrain conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the effective weight of the mower bearing on the ground is reduced to allow it to rise over obstructions, then the mower can follow terrain, but the mower becomes unstable and mowing performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tension spring provides controlled weight reduction, taking up a specific portion of the mower's weight to reduce the effective bearing weight to the optimal 200-400kg range. This controlled anti-weight effect allows the mower to rise over obstructions while maintaining sufficient downward force for stable mowing contact, preventing both excessive weight and instability.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage mechanism enables parameter changes in the system's geometry and force distribution. By adjusting the configuration of the linkage arms, the system can optimize the distribution of forces between the spring tension and ground contact, maintaining stable mowing parameters (effective weight 200-400kg) while preserving the ability to adapt to terrain variations.
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
Ensures consistent effective weight on the ground, improving mowing stability and efficiency by maintaining the weight taken up by the take-up element within the normal working range of movement.
Implementation Method 1
A tension spring (45) extends between the first and second anchorages for taking up some of the weight of the carrier element (19) and the agricultural implement (3)
Implementation Method 2
The linkage mechanism comprises a lifting ram which acts within the linkage mechanism for raising and lowering the carrier member
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Coupling apparatus (80) for coupling a mower (3) to a front three-point linkage of a tractor comprises a mounting element (17) for coupling to the three-point linkage and a carrier element (19) to which the mower (3) is coupled. A linkage mechanism (20) comprising upper link members (81) and a lower link member (23) couples the carrier element (19) to the mounting element (17). The lower link member (23) is pivotally coupled to the mounting element (17) about a first lower pivot axis (30). A pair of take-up springs (45) act between the lower link member (23) and the mounting element (17) to take up a portion of the weight of the mower (3). The take-up springs (45) are coupled between corresponding anchor elements (60) and corresponding anchor brackets (49) on the lower link member (23). The anchor elements (60) are carried on respective compensating arms (88), which in turn are pivotal on pivot shafts (53) carried on the mounting element (17). Actuator arms (89) acting between the lower link member (23) and the compensating arms (88) urge the anchor element (60) upwardly and downwardly as the carrier element (19) moves upwardly and downwardly for controlling the turning moment induced by the take-up springs (45) in the linkage mechanism (20), in order to maintain the effective weight of the mower (3) bearing on the ground substantially constant.