Haying Machine Foldable Lateral Structures

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing haymaking machines face challenges in efficiently transitioning from a wide working position to a compact transport position, often requiring complex hydraulic systems and increased weight, which complicates operation and mobility.

Innovation Solution

The machine features a central structure without rotors, with lateral structures that carry all rotors and are articulated to pivot forward for transport, allowing rotors to move closer and reducing machine width, along with adjustable wheel supports for ground clearance, enabling easy conversion between working and transport positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the machine uses a conventional frame structure with all rotors fixed or requiring complex hydraulic systems for folding, then the working width can be maintained, but the device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe structure complexityVSAvoidtransposition operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is divided into a central structure and two lateral structures that can be independently folded. The lateral structures are separated from the central structure and can be pivoted forward around vertical axes, allowing each section to be folded independently without requiring complex hydraulic systems to move all rotors simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of folding rotors upward or backward as in conventional designs, the lateral structures are folded forward around vertical axes. This inverted folding direction allows the lateral structures to be positioned over the central structure, reducing the need for additional hydraulic jacks and simplifying the transposition operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Length of stationary object

If the machine folds rotors upward for transport, then the working width is maintained during operation, but the height during transport becomes too great for machines of very great width

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachine width in transport positionVSAvoidmachine height in transport position

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The folding mechanism transitions from vertical folding (upward) to horizontal folding (forward around vertical axes). By changing the dimension of folding movement, the lateral structures are folded forward over the central structure rather than upward, simultaneously reducing both the width and height of the machine in transport position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If the machine requires additional hydraulic jacks and particular frame arrangement to pivot side rotors forward, then the working width can be increased, but the weight and price of the machine increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworking widthVSAvoidmachine weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The machine is segmented into a central structure and independent lateral structures. Each lateral structure carries rotors and can be folded forward independently around vertical axes, eliminating the need for additional hydraulic jacks required in conventional designs where all rotors must be coordinated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The folding direction is inverted from upward folding to forward folding around vertical axes. This allows lateral structures to be positioned over the central structure during transport, achieving compact dimensions without requiring the complex hydraulic arrangements and additional weight of conventional systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of operation

If the machine requires raising side rotors before pivoting to prevent collision with middle rotors, then the working width can be maintained, but the operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransposition operation simplicityVSAvoidframe arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of raising side rotors upward before pivoting them forward, the lateral structures are folded forward directly around vertical axes. The inverted folding sequence eliminates the need for preliminary raising operations and complex frame arrangements, simplifying the transposition operation to a single folding motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP1926363B1Haying machine with foldable lateral structures

Publication Date: 2014.11.12 KUHN SA

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

The invention concerns a haying machine, in particular a hay tedder, comprising a frame (1) bearing several rotors (2). Said machine is characterized in that the frame (1) comprises a central structure (8) not provided with rotors (2) and two lateral structures (9 and 10) bearing all the rotors (2) and in that the central structure (8) consists of a front part (13) equipped with wheels (39) and of a rear part (14) which is articulated on said front part (13) and bears substantially vertical axes (11 and 12) whereon are articulated the lateral structures (9 and 10) and about which said lateral structures are mobile forward with all the rotors (2) for transport.