Haymaking Machine Pivotable Outer Rake Rotors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hay-making machines have a lengthy combination during both work and transport, which affects steering properties and visual control for operators, and require significant technical effort to manage.
Innovation Solution
The hay-making machine design features pivotable booms and swivel mechanisms that allow outer rake rotors to move between a working position close to the ground and a transport position above the drawbar, optimizing the overall length by partially occupying space between adjacent rotors, thus achieving a shorter vehicle combination length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the outer rake rotors are positioned to determine the maximum working width close to the ground, then the working width is maximized, but the overall length of the vehicle combination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outer rake rotors are made dynamically positionable through a two-axis pivoting mechanism. The first pivot axis (horizontal) allows the rotor to move outward to determine maximum working width during operation. The second pivot axis (vertical) allows the rotor to be folded upward during transport, reducing the overall vehicle combination length. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction between maximizing working width and minimizing transport length.
2Productivity
If the outer rake rotors are positioned close to the ground for work, then working efficiency is improved, but visual control for the operator deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The outer rake rotors are equipped with a two-axis pivoting mechanism that includes a vertical pivot axis. During work, the rotor pivots horizontally close to the ground for efficient raking. The vertical pivot capability allows the rotor to be raised to an intermediate position or fully folded upward, improving the operator's visual control and line of sight while maintaining the ability to return to the optimal working position when needed.
3Length of moving object
If complex swivel mechanisms are added to enable rotor repositioning, then vehicle combination length is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting mechanism for the outer rake rotors is merged with the existing boom structure. The horizontal and vertical pivot axes are integrated into the boom's articulation points, allowing the outer rotors to be repositioned using the same structural framework that supports the entire rake assembly. This merging approach reduces vehicle combination length while minimizing additional complexity by reusing existing structural elements.
4Length of moving object
If the outer rake rotors are folded upward for transport, then transport configuration is optimized, but technical effort to manage the machine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting mechanism for folding the outer rake rotors upward is merged with the existing boom articulation system. The same hydraulic or mechanical actuators that control boom movement also control the horizontal and vertical pivoting of the outer rotors. This integration reduces technical effort by eliminating separate control systems and allowing a single operational sequence to achieve both transport folding and working position deployment.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 1a
Figure 1a-1
AI summary
The haymaking machine has a cantilever arm of a circulating gyroscope (3,3') that is pivotally coupled at V-shaped horizontally rotatable inner longitudinal carriers (9,9'). The working width for determining outer circulating gyroscope is hinged at outer cantilever arms (6,6'). The outer cantilever arms are hinged in two-axes swivel joints (19,19') at the V-shaped horizontally rotatable inner longitudinal carriers.