Three-Point Hitch Coupling Member for Stable Mowing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mowing devices with three-point hitch systems experience irregular mowing results due to obstacles, leading to large deflections and differences in mowing disc movement, resulting in an uneven mowing pattern.

Innovation Solution

The implementation features a coupling member with three movably connected coupling points and a support frame with abutment members, allowing for guided movement paths that reduce angular rotation and maintain tool parallelism over obstacles, thereby stabilizing the tool beams and ensuring a more regular mowing pattern.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a three-point hitch system is used to attach the mowing device to the tractor, then the device can be easily attached and detached, but the mowing result becomes irregular when obstacles are present

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment easeVSAvoidmowing regularity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling member is divided into multiple coupling points (first, second, and third coupling points) that are movably connected to the attaching means through separate coupling elements. This segmentation allows each coupling point to move independently along its defined path, enabling the tool beam to navigate obstacles while maintaining overall attachment stability and mowing regularity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling elements are designed to enable guided movement of the coupling points relative to the attaching means. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to obstacles by permitting controlled angular rotation and positional adjustment, while the support frame and abutment members maintain stability during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the tool beam rotates over a large angle to avoid obstacles, then the tool beam can clear the obstacle, but the deflection of the outermost mowing disc becomes large causing irregular mowing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobstacle avoidance capabilityVSAvoidmowing disc deflection control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling elements define specific paths of movement for the coupling points, constraining the motion to controlled trajectories rather than free rotation. This dimensional constraint ensures that when the tool beam encounters an obstacle, the rotation occurs along a predetermined path that limits the deflection of the outermost mowing disc while still enabling obstacle clearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the coupling member is rigidly connected to the attaching means, then the attachment is stable, but the tool beam cannot adapt to obstacles present on the agricultural land

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidobstacle adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Manufacturing precision

If multiple coupling elements with guided movement paths are used, then the tool beam can avoid obstacles with smaller angular rotation, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemowing disc deflection controlVSAvoidcoupling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple coupling elements are merged into a single integrated coupling member structure with multiple coupling points. This unified design allows the system to achieve controlled movement and obstacle avoidance functionality while maintaining structural coherence and reducing the complexity that would arise from separate independent coupling mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2525643B1Implement and assembly for carrying out operations on an agricultural land

Publication Date: 2015.07.15 FORAGE INNOVATIONS BV

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AI summary

An implement for soil preparation is moved in a direction of travel by a tractor with a three-point linkage. The implement comprises attaching means (78, 80, 82), a coupling member (28) with three coupling points (100, 102, 104), a first tool beam (30) which is attached to the coupling member (28), at least one tool (38) which is supported by the first tool beam (30), and three coupling elements (106, 108, 110) which are each movably attached to the coupling member (28) in the region of the respective coupling points (100, 102, 104) to connect the coupling member (28) to the attaching means (78, 80, 82). The first coupling element (106) defines a path of movement for a guided movement of the first coupling point (100) with respect to the attaching means (78, 80, 82). The second and the third coupling element (108, 110) each define a path of movement for a guided movement of their respective coupling point (102, 104) with respect to the attaching means (78, 80, 82).