Front-Folding Toolbar with Vertical Articulation for Terrain Contours
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural implements with toolbars struggle to precisely follow the contours of undulating terrain, leading to unwanted stresses and strains on the implements and prime movers due to their rigidity.
Innovation Solution
A front-folding toolbar with a draw-bar connected via a connection assembly that allows vertical rotation, along with wing sections that rotate vertically and horizontally, enabling the toolbar to adjust to terrain contours and reduce stresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the toolbar is made rigid to support agricultural tools, then the structural strength is improved, but the ability to follow terrain contours deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The toolbar is divided into multiple sections (left wing section, center section, right wing section) that can move independently relative to each other. Each section is connected via connection assemblies with rotational axes, allowing the segments to adjust their positions to follow terrain contours while maintaining overall structural integrity for supporting agricultural tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection assemblies enable dynamic movement between toolbar sections. The draw-bar can rotate vertically about a laterally extending rotational axis, and the wing sections can rotate vertically with respect to the center section about rotational axes, allowing the rigid toolbar structure to adapt dynamically to undulating terrain conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If the toolbar is made rigid to maintain operational stability, then the operational precision is improved, but the stresses and strains on the implement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the toolbar into movable sections connected by articulation points, the structure can conform to terrain variations without generating excessive stresses. The segmented design allows differential movement of each section, preventing stress concentration while maintaining operational precision through controlled rotation about defined axes.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection assemblies change the geometric parameters (angles, positions) of the toolbar sections in response to terrain variations. The rotational axes and colinear alignment during transport position enable controlled parameter changes that reduce stresses and strains on the implement and prime mover while maintaining operational precision when needed.
3Volume of moving object
If the toolbar is designed for compact transport, then the transport efficiency is improved, but the operational configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The toolbar employs dynamic reconfiguration capability where the wing sections can rotate from operational positions laterally from the center section to transport positions extending forward. The draw-bar can rotate vertically, and the connection assemblies with colinear rotational axes during transport enable compact folding without requiring complex manual intervention or multiple operators.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural implement configured to be propelled by a prime mover. The implement comprises a toolbar configured to support a plurality of agricultural tools. The toolbar is a front-folding toolbar configured to be shifted forward from an operational position to a transport position. The implement further comprises a draw-bar extending forward from the toolbar and configured to be coupled with the prime mover. The draw-bar is rotatably connected with the toolbar via a connection assembly that presents a generally laterally extending rotational axis, such that the draw-bar is configured to rotate vertically about the rotational axis.