Folding Grain Cart Auger Layout for Reach and Compact Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grain carts with folding augers suffer from limited side and forward reach in the operating position and a bulky transport size, which hinders efficient operation and transportation. Additionally, the folding motion often fails to clear tractor cabs, complicating the conversion between operating and transport positions.
Innovation Solution
The grain cart features a side-folding auger assembly with an upper and lower auger portion connected by a joint assembly, allowing the upper auger to pivot between an operating position with increased side and forward reach and a transport position that minimizes the cart's size. The joint assembly includes an angular offset, enabling the transfer of rotational motion through an angle, and the discharge portion is positioned forward of the hitch for improved visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the auger assembly is made longer to increase side and forward reach in operating position, then the discharge capability and reach are improved, but the transport size becomes larger and more cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The auger assembly is divided into multiple sections that can be folded relative to each other. The auger housing includes a first section and a second section that can be positioned at an angle to each other, allowing the auger to achieve extended reach during operation while folding into a more compact configuration for transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The auger assembly transitions between static compact positions and dynamic extended positions. The foldable sections allow the auger to dynamically adjust its configuration, achieving maximum reach when needed and minimizing size during transport through controlled folding motion.
2Length of moving object
If the auger assembly is extended to maximize side and forward reach, then discharge capability is improved, but the folding motion may not clear the cab of tractors
Solution Approach 1:
The foldable sections are positioned at specific asymmetric angles relative to each other and to the auger housing. This asymmetric angular arrangement allows the auger to clear tractor cabs during folding motion while still achieving maximum reach when extended, optimizing both clearance and discharge capability.
3Ease of operation
If the auger assembly is made compact for transport, then ease of transportation is improved, but side and forward reach in operating position is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The foldable auger sections nest within each other when in the compact transport position, similar to nested dolls. The second section folds within or alongside the first section, creating a compact configuration that minimizes transport size while preserving the full reach capability when deployed for operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A grain cart and foldable auger assembly having an upper auger assembly portion with a discharge portion, a lower auger assembly portion with an intake portion, and a joint that allows the upper auger assembly portion to be moved between operating and transport positions. When in an operating position, the upper auger portion and the lower auger portion are offset from each other by an operating offset angle. The grain cart also has a hitch for allowing the grain cart to be towed. The discharge portion is forward of the hitch when in the operating position. Embodiments of the present invention provide, for example, increased forward and side reach, additional storage capacity of the hopper, increased discharge rate from the hopper, and a more compact transport position.