Agricultural Fork Retention Mechanism with Foot-Actuated Latch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural machines often slide off fork assemblies during transportation due to downwardly inclined forks or changes in vehicle velocity, and manual securing methods are inconvenient and require operator diligence.
Innovation Solution
An automatic retention mechanism is introduced, featuring a foot that extends below the assembly, activating a retention mechanism when lifted to secure the forks or tines and deactivating when lowered, using pivotally mounted latches and rods to engage and disengage the machine effectively, even on uneven ground.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual methods are used to secure machines to fork assemblies, then the machine can be retained during transport, but the operation becomes inconvenient and requires operator diligence
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage without operator intervention. When the forks are inserted into the sleeve, the retention mechanism self-activates to secure the machine. During lowering, the foot contacts the ground to automatically disengage the retention mechanism, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining reliable retention during transport.
2Ease of operation
If automatic retention mechanism is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mechanism incorporates movable components including a foot that can pivot between engaged and disengaged positions, and a retention element that dynamically transitions between locked and unlocked states. This dynamic design allows the mechanism to automatically adapt to the operational state (lifting vs. lowering) without requiring complex control systems, achieving automation while managing complexity through mechanical simplicity.
3Extent of automation
If the foot is used to activate retention during lifting, then automatic retention is achieved, but the mechanism may not function on uneven ground
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism is designed with the foot extending below the assembly to contact the ground first during the lowering process. This preliminary contact with the ground establishes a stable reference point before the main body of the machine is lowered, ensuring that the foot can reliably trigger the retention disengagement even on uneven terrain. The foot's extended position allows it to find and engage with the ground surface in advance, compensating for surface irregularities.
Data Source
AI summary
A retention mechanism for retaining an agricultural machine in engagement with a fork assembly. The mechanism may be provided on the fork assembly, agricultural machine or split between them. The retention mechanism may be actuated by a foot associated with either the fork assembly or the agricultural machine. The retention mechanism may employ pivoting latches or a clamping mechanism that clamps upon the forks or tines.