Haymaking Machine Stability via Central Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural haymaking machines face instability and risk of tipping during sharp turns due to thrust forces from the rear rotor's inertia, leading to potential damage and incomplete raking of areas, especially in maneuvering configurations.
Innovation Solution
A central actuator is articulated with the front and rear beams to exert a downward force on the front rotor's running gear, enhancing stability and reducing the risk of slipping and tipping, while also alleviating stress on the rear rotor, allowing the machine to adapt to uneven ground.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the first axis is located approximately halfway between the axis of rotation of the front rotor and the coupling device, then the thrust force due to inertia of the rear rotor is distributed between the coupling device and the front rotor, reducing the risk of front rotor slippage, but the rear beam is elongated resulting in less overlap of the rotor trajectories during tight turns
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the position parameter of the first axis, locating it closer to the axis of rotation of the front rotor rather than halfway. This parameter change reduces the rear beam length while ensuring the thrust force distribution still protects against slippage, thereby maintaining reliability while improving productivity through better crop coverage
2Ease of operation
If the center of gravity of the front rotor is shifted upwards in the maneuvering configuration, then the machine can be raised for maneuvering, but the risk of tipping is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a central actuator that applies a downward counterbalancing force on the front rotor during maneuvering operations. This counterweight effect compensates for the upward shift of the center of gravity, enabling easy maneuvering while preventing tipping by creating an opposing stabilizing force
3Reliability
If the rear beam is elongated to distribute thrust force, then the risk of front rotor slippage is reduced, but less overlap of the rotor trajectories occurs during tight turns
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the position parameter of the first axis, placing it closer to the front rotor axis rather than at the midpoint. This creates a shorter rear beam that maintains adequate thrust force distribution for stability while enabling better rotor trajectory overlap for complete crop coverage during tight turns
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution significantly reduces the risk of machine instability and damage during turns, ensuring effective raking of areas without leaving gaps, even on irregular terrain, by improving the stability of the front rotor and reducing the thrust force on the rear rotor.
Implementation Method 1
the inertia of the rear rotor can generate a thrust force on the front beam, directed longitudinally to the rear beam
Implementation Method 2
a rear beam mounted pivotally with the front beam about a first axis (13) oriented vertically and about a second axis (14) oriented horizontally
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6
AI summary
A trailed agricultural machine equipped with two rotors fitted with fingers capable of raking a product lying on the ground such as cut grass, each rotor rolling on the ground by means of a respective running gear, the machine also being equipped with a drawbar that can be connected to a tractor by a coupling device, a front beam mounted pivoting with the drawbar on a horizontally oriented front axis and on which a front rotor is mounted, and a rear beam mounted pivoting with the front beam on a first vertically oriented axis and on a second horizontally oriented axis and on which a rear rotor is mounted, the machine being able to occupy a working configuration in which the rear beam is close to the ground and a maneuvering configuration in which the rear beam is further from the ground, the machine comprising a central actuator, articulated with the front beam on one side and with the rear beam on the other.The central actuator allows a downward force to be applied to the front rotor's running gear.