Hinged Wing Float Restriction for Uniform Soil Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinged towable agricultural implements, such as soil pulverizers, face challenges in maintaining uniform depth and weight distribution across the entire width when operating on uneven or light soils, leading to inconsistent soil conditioning due to weight transfer between the center section and wing rollers.
Innovation Solution
A new hinge design featuring a ball joint and guide roller slot allows the wings to float independently, preventing weight transfer and enabling uniform soil engagement across the entire width, with an optional float-restricting lockout kit to stabilize sections in light soils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional hinged connections are used to connect wing sections to the center section, then the implement can be folded for transport, but weight transfer occurs between sections causing inconsistent soil conditioning and depth control
Solution Approach 1:
The implement is divided into independent sections (center section and wing sections) that can move relative to each other. Each section is equipped with its own ground-engaging components that operate independently, preventing weight transfer between sections while maintaining the ability to fold for transport.
Solution Approach 2:
A float-restricting mechanism acts as an intermediary between the wing section and center section hinge connection. This mechanism restricts unwanted floating or bowing movements of the wing section relative to the center section, stabilizing depth control while still allowing the hinge to provide folding capability for transport.
2Area of stationary object
If wing rollers are set back from center rollers to provide overlap coverage, then complete soil conditioning across width is achieved, but varying drawbar heights on uneven terrain cause weight transfer and inconsistent conditioning
Solution Approach 1:
The implement divides soil conditioning functions into independent center and wing sections, each with its own rollers and hydraulic control. This segmentation allows each section to independently follow ground contours while maintaining consistent depth control, preventing weight transfer issues that would otherwise affect depth consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The implement uses hydraulic cylinders to dynamically adjust the position of ground-engaging components on each section independently. This dynamic adjustment capability allows each section to adapt to varying terrain while maintaining consistent working depth, compensating for the setback positioning of wing rollers needed for complete coverage.
3Productivity
If the implement operates on light or loose soil, then complete soil conditioning is achieved, but the wings may sink or rise causing non-uniform depth
Solution Approach 1:
The implement uses float indicators or sensors that provide feedback on the vertical position of each section relative to the desired working depth. When a section begins to sink or rise in light soil, the feedback mechanism triggers hydraulic adjustment to restore the section to the correct depth, maintaining uniformity across the entire implement width.
Solution Approach 2:
A float-restricting lockout mechanism serves as an intermediary that prevents excessive floating or sinking of wing sections in light soil conditions. This mechanism physically restricts the range of motion of the wing section, ensuring it remains at a consistent working depth while still allowing normal operational movements.
Data Source
AI summary
A towable soil pulverizer having a center section and foldable wings mounted by hinges on opposite sides of the center section to fold upwardly or downwardly about substantially longitudinal hinge axes. Each hinge has a spaced ball joint and guide roller in roller slot. A wing float axis for each wing extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal hinge axis in a transverse direction, each wing also being pivotal about the float axis. The hinge design with the float axis prevents weight transfer between the center section and wing sections when the pulverizer operates over uneven soil, providing uniform soil conditioning over the width of the pulverizer. The center section rollers are positioned ahead of, behind, or co-linear with the wing rollers. Lockout kits are provided for mounting in the roller guide slots for restricting motion.