Gas Tiller Swing Arm and Drag Stake Pivot Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Rotary tillers are difficult to transport due to the engagement of guide wheels and tines with the soil during normal operation, requiring users to hold handles in awkward positions to prevent accidental engagement during transport.
Innovation Solution
A gas tiller design featuring a frame with pivot axes for a swing arm and drag stake, allowing the tiller to be adjusted between transport and tilling positions, where the swing arm and drag stake move between positions to disengage from the ground during transport and engage during tilling, enabling easy transportation without sacrificing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the tines are set up to engage the soil at depth during normal operation, then the tilling performance is improved, but the difficulty of transportation increases because the user must hold the handles in awkward positions to lift the tines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the swing arm and drag stake pivotable between different positions. The swing arm can rotate between a first position where the tines engage the soil for tilling and a second position where the tines are lifted for transportation. Similarly, the drag stake can pivot between engaging the ground during tilling and being raised during transport. This dynamic adjustment allows the tiller to switch between optimal tilling configuration and easy transportation configuration, resolving the contradiction between maintaining deep tine engagement for performance and lifting tines for easy transport.
2Productivity
If the drag stake is positioned to engage the ground during tilling, then the tilling effectiveness is improved, but the transportation difficulty increases because the drag stake must be lifted
Solution Approach 1:
The drag stake is designed with pivotability, allowing it to dynamically change position. During tilling operations, the drag stake pivots to engage the ground effectively. During transportation, the same drag stake pivots to a raised position where it does not contact the ground, eliminating the need for the user to manually lift it. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction between maintaining ground engagement for tilling effectiveness and lifting the drag stake for easy transportation.
3Device complexity
If the swing arm is fixed in position, then the structure is simpler, but the adaptability between transport and tilling modes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a fixed swing arm, the patent implements a pivotable swing arm that can rotate between a first position for tilling and a second position for transportation. This dynamic feature adds minimal structural complexity while providing significant adaptability. The swing arm's pivotability allows the tiller to automatically adjust its configuration based on the operational mode, enabling the same structure to serve both tilling and transportation functions effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The swing arm serves multiple functions through its pivotability: during tilling, it positions the tines for ground engagement; during transportation, it lifts the tines clear of the ground. This multi-functionality allows a single structural component to handle different operational requirements, increasing adaptability without requiring separate mechanisms for each mode.
Solution Approach 3:
The patent merges the functions of the swing arm and drag stake into a coordinated system where both components pivot in response to the same input motion. When the swing arm rotates to change position, the drag stake simultaneously pivots to its corresponding position through the linkage mechanism. This merging of functions allows the system to achieve both tilling and transportation configurations through a unified mechanical action, reducing overall complexity while maintaining versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A gas tiller including a frame defining a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis spaced a distance from the first pivot axis, a motor coupled to the frame, a set of rotary tines coupled to the frame and operatively coupled to the motor, a swing arm pivotably coupled to the frame and rotatable about the first pivot axis between a first and second arm positions corresponding to travel and tilling configurations, respectively, of the tiller, the swing arm including one or more wheels coupled thereto, and a drag stake pivotably coupled to the frame and rotatable about the second pivot axis between first and second stake positions. Movement of the swing arm between the arm positions moves the drag stake between the stake positions.