Horizontal Spring Hay Rake Arm Pivot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hay rakes with vertical springs are limited in length, strength, and range of motion, leading to stiff construction and reduced compactness during transport, which poses a hazard to bystanders and inefficient weight distribution.
Innovation Solution
A hay rake design utilizing a horizontal spring or cushion to float the rake arms, allowing for longer, less stiff springs with greater motion range, and incorporating a lift cylinder and positioning arm to actively pivot the rake arms between transport and raking positions, enabling a more compact transport configuration and safer bystander protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If vertical springs are used to support rake arms, then the rake arms can be cushioned during operation, but the spring length is limited and stiffness is increased, reducing range of motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical spring orientation to horizontal spring orientation. This dimensional change allows the spring to be mounted between the folding arm and rake arm in a horizontal configuration, enabling longer spring length while maintaining adequate support functionality and reducing stiffness.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rake arms are positioned at an angle during transport, then they maintain working position stability, but the transport configuration becomes less compact and overall height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic positioning system using a positioning arm with adjustable length that can actively change the rake arm angle between working and transport positions. This allows the rake arms to be positioned at a reduced angle during transport, achieving more compact configuration while maintaining stability when needed.
3Device complexity
If manual adjustment methods are used for rake arm angle, then the structure remains simple, but the transport position is not compact and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a hydraulic lift cylinder that automatically positions the rake arms in transport configuration. This hydraulic system reduces the rake arm angle to a safer, more compact position during transport, eliminating safety hazards associated with manual adjustment while maintaining acceptable structural complexity.
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 provides a more compact and safer transport position with reduced hazards, improved weight distribution, and enhanced operational efficiency by using a horizontal spring and hydraulic positioning system to adjust rake arm angles, resulting in a more efficient and safer hay raking process.
Implementation Method 1
Many of the known hay rakes use a vertically positioned expansion spring or shock absorbing material to help lift and cushion the weight of the rake arm while in operation
Implementation Method 2
Many of the known hay rakes use a vertically positioned expansion spring or shock absorbing material to help lift and cushion the weight of the rake arm
Implementation Method 3
incorporating a lift cylinder and positioning arm to actively pivot the rake arms between transport and raking positions
Data Source
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AI summary
A carted hay rake (10) for raking cut crops into a windrow. The hay rake (10) can include a wheeled cart (12), rake arms (30), and tine rake wheels (48). The rake arms (30) are attached to a rake arm pivot (36), and ca be extendable to a horizontal position and a retractable transport position. A positioning arm (60) is utilized to change the angle of the rake arm between the working and transport position. An assist spring (70) can help neutralize the weight of the rake arm while in the working position. The assist spring (70) can be positioned horizontally.