Foldable Subsoiler Frame With Unified Hydraulics for Compact Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural subsoilers face limitations in road transport due to excessive size in folded configurations and inadequate folding mechanisms, particularly those with three-section frames, which exceed the maximum allowed dimensions for road traffic, and lack effective hydraulic or hydropneumatic systems for tool retraction and obstacle navigation.

Innovation Solution

Agricultural machine with a foldable frame and hydraulic system featuring double-acting check valves, mechanical stops, and a single hydraulic system for tool retraction, obstacle navigation, and folding, allowing compact transport and adjustable working depth and inclination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a three-section frame structure is used to manage high work areas, then the work area coverage is improved, but the folded configuration exceeds the maximum allowed dimensions for road transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework area coverageVSAvoidfolded configuration dimension
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is divided into multiple telescopic sections (first section, second section, third section) that can be segmented and stored in a compact folded configuration. Each section can be independently controlled to achieve compact storage while maintaining full extension capability for large work areas, resolving the contradiction between work area coverage and transport dimension constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The telescopic sections are designed to nest within each other when folded, with the second section storing in the first section and the third section storing in the second section. This nesting arrangement allows the multi-section frame to achieve a compact folded configuration that meets road transport dimension limits while preserving the ability to extend to large work areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Device complexity

If traditional ploughs are used for soil processing, then the equipment simplicity is maintained, but the functional efficiency and surface finishing capability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment simplicityVSAvoidsoil processing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The agricultural machine is designed with multiple tools (subsoilers, cultivators, harrows) that can be selectively engaged or disengaged based on operational needs. This multi-functionality allows a single machine to perform various soil processing tasks with different efficiency requirements, improving overall productivity while maintaining reasonable complexity through modular tool design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Area of stationary object

If the number of sections in the frame is increased to cover larger work areas, then the work area coverage is improved, but the folding mechanism complexity and transport compactness are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework area coverageVSAvoidfolding mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The folding mechanism incorporates hydraulic actuators that dynamically control the telescopic sections, allowing automatic adjustment between extended and folded configurations. This dynamic control reduces the mechanical complexity that would otherwise be required for manual or mechanical folding of multiple sections, while enabling the frame to achieve compact folded dimensions despite having multiple sections for large work area coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 soil processing across varying work areas while ensuring compact transportability and safety by minimizing dimensions during road transport and overcoming obstacles using a unified hydraulic system.

Implementation Method 1

a single hydraulic system, which allows the retraction of the tools, the lifting thereof in the presence of obstacles and the folding of the agricultural apparatus transported by the machine itself

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic system: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

an agricultural machine with a hydraulic or hydropneumatic damping system to allow users to overcome obstacles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydropneumatic damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4316225B1Agricultural working device
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 TORRICO
  • EP4316225B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP4316225B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP4316225B1 patent drawingFigure 2E

AI summary

An agricultural processing machine (100) comprising a tractor and a subsoiler (100), wherein the subsoiler (100) includes a foldable frame (1), tractor coupling elements and tools or shanks (10) for processing the soil. A single hydraulic system (5) is used with a damping function for the retraction of the tools (10) in the event of encountering an obstacle in the soil, with a movement function of the tools (10) for adjusting the working depth, with a movement function of the side portions of the frame (1) and with a closing function of all the tools (10) to reduce the road dimensions during transport. The hydraulic system (5) comprises double-acting cylinders (4A, 4B), comprising an upper chamber (12) and a lower chamber (12) and designed so as to retract, partially or totally, the tools (10), in the event of an obstacle or load.