Folding Toolbar Wing Latch Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional folding toolbars lack a mechanical lock or latch to secure the wings in the transport position, leading to premature wear and repair needs due to lateral movement and additional stress on components and the hydraulic system.
Innovation Solution
A latch assembly with a pair of latches mounted on the toolbar tongue, actuated by a hydraulic cylinder, that pivots to engage and disengage catches on the wings, securing them in the transport position and allowing easy folding and unfolding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the hydraulic system alone is used to maintain the wings in the transport position, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to lateral movement and stress on components
Solution Approach 1:
The latching system is segmented into multiple independent latches (at least two latches per wing) that can be actuated together. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability through distributed locking points while managing complexity through modular design of individual latch units.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple latches are combined and actuated simultaneously by a single hydraulic cylinder through a common actuation mechanism. This merging approach maintains reliability by securing both wings together while managing complexity through shared actuation components rather than independent actuators for each latch.
2Reliability
If a mechanical latch assembly is added to secure the wings, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A hydraulic cylinder is used to actuate the latch assembly, replacing manual operation with automated hydraulic actuation. This improves reliability by ensuring consistent latching action while managing complexity through the use of existing hydraulic system infrastructure already present in the folding toolbar.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic cylinder serves multiple functions: it actuates the latch assembly for securing wings and can potentially serve other functions in the toolbar system. This multi-functionality approach improves reliability through proven hydraulic actuation while managing complexity by reusing existing hydraulic components rather than adding entirely new actuation systems.
3Ease of operation
If the hydraulic cylinder is located at the inner ends of the wings, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to lateral movement at the outer ends
Solution Approach 1:
The latching system addresses lateral movement at the outer ends by adding latches positioned at multiple locations along the wings, not just at the inner ends where the hydraulic cylinder operates. This dimensional distribution of latch points prevents lateral movement while maintaining ease of operation through centralized hydraulic actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch assembly applies preliminary locking action at multiple points on the wings before transport, preventing lateral movement and stress concentration. By distributing latch points across the wing structure, the system preemptively counteracts the lateral movement tendency caused by inner-end hydraulic actuation alone.
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
The latch assembly effectively secures the wings in the transport position, reducing stress and wear on components, while being quick and easy to actuate, thus enhancing the durability and usability of the folding toolbar.
Implementation Method 1
The latches are pivoted simultaneously, or in unison, between the latched and unlatched positions by an actuator
Data Source
AI summary
The latch assembly for the wings of a folding tool bar includes catches on each wing wing and a pair of pivotal latch arms on the tool bar tongue. An actuator pivots the latch arms between an unlatched position disengaged from the wing catches to a latched position engaging the wing catches so as to retain the wings in a transport position. In the latching and unlatching method, the latch arms are pivoted simultaneously in opposite directions by an actuator to capture and release the opposing wings of the tool bar.