Height Adjustable Drawbar Guide for Implement Obstacle Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing guide devices for implements, such as soil compaction devices, require time-consuming and labor-intensive height adjustments to navigate under obstacles, lacking quick and tool-free solutions for changing between working and obstacle-clearing positions.

Innovation Solution

A guide device with a connecting element, a tongue member, and a support member that allows gravitational support for the drawbar in a working position, enabling quick transitions to a lower position for obstacle clearance and easy return to the working position through movable connections and a spring element, without the need for tools or clamping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the guide bar is lowered completely to drive under obstacles, then the machine can pass under obstacles, but the operator must work bent over which increases physical burden

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to drive under obstaclesVSAvoidoperator physical burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device enables dynamic height adjustment of the drawbar between a raised working position and a lowered obstacle-clearing position. The movable connection allows the drawbar to be quickly repositioned based on operational needs, providing adaptability while maintaining operator comfort during normal work.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the height of the guide bar is adjusted using known methods, then the working height can be changed, but the adjustment process is time-consuming and requires tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustment capabilityVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs a self-locking movable connection that automatically maintains the drawbar in its adjusted position without requiring tools or additional fastening operations. The gravitational support and mechanical connection work together to provide automatic positioning and locking, eliminating the need for manual tool-based adjustment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The movable connection enables quick, tool-free adjustment of the drawbar height by simply moving it between positions. The dynamic design allows rapid repositioning without the time-consuming steps of loosening, adjusting, and tightening fasteners required by traditional fixed-height drawbars.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the drawbar is lowered to drive under obstacles, then obstacles can be passed, but resetting the drawbar to working height is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobstacle clearance capabilityVSAvoidreset speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The movable connection allows the drawbar to be quickly repositioned from the lowered obstacle-clearing position back to the raised working position. This dynamic adjustment mechanism enables rapid resetting without time-consuming manual operations, maintaining high productivity when multiple obstacles need to be cleared.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If the guide device uses fixed connections, then structural stability is maintained, but height adjustment requires tools and clamping operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidtool-free adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The movable connection provides a dynamic yet stable solution, allowing the drawbar to be adjusted between positions while maintaining structural integrity in each position. The gravitational support and mechanical connection ensure stability without requiring additional clamping or fastening operations, enabling tool-free adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables rapid and ergonomic height adjustments, reducing operator stress and improving efficiency when driving under multiple obstacles by allowing quick and tool-free changes between working and obstacle-clearing positions, while maintaining stability and ease of use.

Implementation Method 1

The support takes place solely due to the weight of the drawbar element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

A spring element can resiliently hold the support element in an initial position in which the support element holds the drawbar element in the first position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2957486B1Height adjustable guiding device for a work implement
Publication Date: 2018.01.10 WACKER NEUSON PRODUKTION GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2957486B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP2957486B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP2957486B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Guide device (300) for guiding a work device (310) with a connecting element (320), a drawbar element (330) which is connected to the connecting element (320) and can be moved relative to the connecting element (320) into a first position or a second position and a support element (340) with a support stop (345) which holds the drawbar element (330) in the first position by supporting the support stop (345) in a holding element (350). In this case, the drawbar element (330) can be connected to the working device (310) via the connecting element (320), and either the holding element (350) is connected to the connecting element (320) and the support element (340) is movably connected to the drawbar element (330), or the holding element (350) is connected to the drawbar element (330) and the support element (340) is movably connected to the connecting element (320).Furthermore, after the support stop (345) is released from the holding element (350), the drawbar element (330) assumes the second position.