Dual-arm soil working assembly with pivotable arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing soil working assemblies struggle to adapt to varying inter-row widths of crops, requiring complex sensor systems that fail to efficiently work both rows in parallel.
Innovation Solution
A soil working assembly with a dual-arm system, where a first arm is adjustable and a second arm is returned by a restoring element, allowing close proximity to crops without sensors, and adaptable to different inter-row widths using hydraulic or spring-based energy accumulators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are used to work close to plants, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the crop row itself as a reference for positioning. The parallel arms naturally follow the crop row geometry through geometric constraint, eliminating the need for external sensors or active positioning systems. The structure serves its own positioning function through the inherent geometry of the dual-arm configuration and its connection to the vehicle chassis.
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed-width assemblies are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different inter-row widths deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly width is made dynamically adjustable through the pivotable first arm connected to the vehicle chassis. The first arm can rotate about a pivot axis, allowing the distance between the two tool-carrying supports to be varied. This enables the same assembly to adapt to different inter-row widths while maintaining a relatively simple fixed-geometry structure for each individual arm.
3Measurement precision
If tool position is constantly adjusted to follow crop variations, then work precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arms automatically follow crop row variations through passive geometric constraint rather than active powered adjustment. As the vehicle moves forward, the arms naturally conform to the crop row geometry through their pivot connections, requiring no additional power for positioning. The system uses the motion of the vehicle itself to achieve the following action.
Solution Approach 2:
The parallel arm configuration creates a geometrically constrained system where both arms maintain equal distance from their respective crop rows. This equipotential geometric relationship ensures that adjustments in one arm are naturally mirrored in the other, maintaining work precision without requiring additional power for coordinated control.
4Power
If heavy-duty powered systems are used for soil working, then working capability is improved, but power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces powered mechanical adjustment systems with a passive geometric constraint system. Instead of using motors or hydraulics to position and follow crop rows, the system uses the inherent geometry of the dual parallel arm configuration with pivot connections to achieve automatic following action. This eliminates the need for high power requirements while maintaining working capability.
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
Enables efficient and adaptable soil working across varying crop widths without high power requirements, facilitating operation near crops and simplifying transport.
Implementation Method 1
the return element is a spring arranged between the support and the second arm
Implementation Method 2
the spring is associated with a spring preloading element capable of preloading the spring in an adjustable manner to vary the return force
Implementation Method 3
the actuator for controlling the pivoting movement of the second arm is a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder connectable to a source of pressurized fluid
Implementation Method 4
the actuator for controlling the pivoting movement of the second arm is a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder connectable to a source of pressurized fluid
Implementation Method 5
the return element is an energy accumulator configured to store energy in the driven state in displacement of the second arm from the spaced position to the close position of the first arm and to restore said energy
Implementation Method 6
this energy accumulator being chosen from the group of energy accumulators formed by springs and hydraulic or hydropneumatic accumulators
Data Source
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AI summary
Soil working assembly comprising a tool holder support (2), a non-powered rotary tool (3), and a system (4) for connecting the tool (3) to the support (2). The connecting system (4) comprises a first arm (5) coupled to the support (2) pivoting about a first pivot axis, a second tool holder arm (6) coupled to the first arm (5) pivoting about a second pivot axis (YY') parallel to the first pivot axis for moving the second arm (6) between a position close to the first arm (5) and a position separated from the first arm (5), the rotary tool (3) has a rotation axis extending substantially parallel to the second pivot axis (YY'), said assembly comprises a member (7) for immobilizing the first arm (5) in an adjustable angular position about the first pivot axis, and said assembly comprises at least one element (9) for returning the second arm (6) to a position separated from the first arm (5).