Hinged Tractor Mower Support Structure for Engine Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing support structures for mower machines mounted laterally on agricultural tractors require complex and dangerous manual operations to access the engine hood during breakdowns, posing risks to operators.

Innovation Solution

A support structure with a hinged fifth frame member and quick coupling/uncoupling means allows easy access to the engine hood by rotating the frame member between operating and non-operating configurations, facilitated by an actuator element and quick release mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a support structure with a fixed fifth frame member is used to secure the mower machine, then the mower machine can be firmly anchored to the tractor, but access to the engine hood becomes difficult and dangerous during breakdowns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring stabilityVSAvoidaccess to engine hood

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fifth frame member is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to rotate between an operating position that secures the mower machine and a non-operating position that provides access to the engine hood. This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction by enabling the structure to adapt between securing and access modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is divided into separable components, with the fifth frame member acting as an independent segment that can be detached or repositioned. This segmentation allows the anchoring function to be separated from the access function, enabling safe and easy access to the engine hood when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If manual bolt removal is required to access the engine hood, then the support structure can be simple, but the operation becomes complex and dangerous for the operator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport structureVSAvoidmaintenance operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The quick coupling/uncoupling means enables the support structure to be easily detached and reattached by the operator without requiring complex manual bolt removal operations. The self-service mechanism simplifies maintenance operations while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The quick coupling/uncoupling means acts as an intermediary mechanism between the fifth frame member and the support structure, providing a simple and safe interface for detachment and attachment. This intermediary component simplifies the operation of accessing the engine hood while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the fifth frame member is positioned superiorly and transversally to the engine hood, then the mower machine can be securely supported, but the operator must perform dangerous manual operations to access the engine

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport stabilityVSAvoidoperator safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fifth frame member can rotate between a superior-transversal position that provides stable support for the mower machine and a retracted position that eliminates the need for dangerous manual operations to access the engine. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by allowing the structure to adapt to different operational needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The quick coupling/uncoupling means serves as an intermediary that enables safe and easy detachment of the fifth frame member from the support structure. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the need for dangerous manual bolt removal operations while maintaining secure support during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4635286A1Struttura di supporto accoppiabile e fissabile ad un trattore agricolo per il supporto di una macchina tosaerba che deve essere montata lateralemente al trattore

Publication Date: 2025.10.22 HYMACH

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

The support structure (100) comprises: a first frame (1) fixable by means of a first frame member (11) to a first lateral side (T1) of a tractor (T) and having a second frame member (21) which is arranged raised with respect to an engine hood (CM) of the tractor (T); a second frame (2) fixable by means of a third frame member (21) to a second lateral side (T2) of the tractor (T) and having a fourth frame member (22) which is raised with respect to the engine hood (CM) of the tractor (T); with the first frame (1) comprising at least an anchoring element (10) for anchoring and fixing a mower machine (M) laterally to the tractor (T). The support structure (100) comprises a fifth frame member (3), hinged to the second frame member (21), and activatable in rotation by means of an actuator element (4) between a first operating configuration (O1), wherein the fifth frame member (3) is positionable superiorly and transversally to the engine hood (CM) of the tractor (T) for fixing thereof by quick coupling/uncoupling means (5) to the second frame member (22) of the second frame (2), and a second non-operating configuration (O2) in which the fifth frame member (3), following the unhooking thereof by the quick coupling/uncoupling means (5) from the second frame member (22), is positioned in a raised and distant position with respect to the engine hood (CM).