Folding Wing Frame for Disc Mower Transverse Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural mower-conditioner machines with multiple heads face challenges in maintaining accurate transverse positioning of cutterbars during operation and maneuverability during transport, especially when managing swaths and windrows, due to limited width capacity and potential knife interference.
Innovation Solution
A movable frame apparatus that supports multiple mower-conditioner heads, allowing them to be positioned adjacently or staggered for optimal cutting efficiency, with synchronized cutterbars in the operating configuration and reconfigured for transport to minimize width, using wing frames, suspension links, and castor limiter mechanisms to maintain precise positioning and adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple mower-conditioner heads are arranged adjacently to maximize cutting capacity, then the cutting width and productivity are improved, but the transverse positioning accuracy and knife synchronization become difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into a central section and two wing frames that can be independently positioned and locked. This segmentation allows each head to be precisely positioned relative to the central section while maintaining overall cutting capacity, resolving the contradiction between maximizing productivity and maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing frames are designed to be movable between operational and transport positions, allowing the system to dynamically adjust its configuration. During operation, the wing frames extend to maximize cutting width; during transport, they fold to maintain maneuverability, thus resolving the positioning accuracy issue while preserving productivity.
2Productivity
If multiple mower-conditioner heads are arranged adjacently to maximize cutting capacity, then the productivity is improved, but the risk of knife interference between adjacent heads increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the frame into separable sections with independent positioning capabilities, the system can maintain precise spacing between adjacent heads, preventing knife interference while preserving maximum cutting capacity through proper head arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The lockable wing frame mechanism provides positional feedback and constraint, ensuring that heads are maintained at precise distances from each other during operation, thereby preventing knife interference while maximizing cutting capacity.
3Ease of operation
If the mower-conditioner heads are configured for transport to minimize width, then the maneuverability is improved, but the operating capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wing frames are designed to be dynamically reconfigurable between extended operational positions (maximizing cutting width) and folded transport positions (minimizing width for maneuverability). This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for either maneuverability or operating capacity depending on the operational context.
4Strength
If a heavy-duty frame is used to support multiple large-capacity mower-conditioner heads, then the structural strength is improved, but the weight increases and may overload the tractor
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is segmented into a central section and removable wing frames, allowing the heavy-duty structure to be distributed and only deployed when needed for operation. During transport, the wing frames can be folded or removed, reducing the effective weight while maintaining structural strength when the full capacity is required.
Data Source
AI summary
A movable frame for connection to a prime mover that supports multiple individual similar implements in a manner similar to the manner each would be singly connected in a trail-behind implement pulled by a prime mover, but maintains relative positioning between the implements sufficiently to enable the multiple implements to function as a single, larger implement. The frame allows individual implements to be positioned generally transversely in an operating position for travel in a first direction providing maximum operating width, and generally longitudinally in a transport position for travel in a direction opposite to the first direction in which the overall with of the implements on the frame is minimized to three meters or less.