Hydraulic Isolation Device for Agricultural Machine Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailed agricultural machines, such as haymaking tedders, become unstable during transport and U-turn maneuvers due to the floating hydraulic distributor allowing oil to escape, which can cause processing tools to fall and potentially lead to accidents or damage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a device that isolates the hydraulic circuit from the load transfer system in the intermediate configuration, preventing oil exchange and maintaining the force applied to the carrier frame, thus ensuring safety during U-turns by preventing the cancellation of the force exerted on the lower hitching points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hydraulic distributor is left in the float position during U-turn maneuvers, then the operator can easily control the machine, but the oil leaks from the lift cylinder into the tractor's reservoir causing the processing tools to fall and creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
A non-return valve is introduced as an intermediary component in the hydraulic circuit between the lift cylinder and the tractor reservoir. This valve allows oil to flow freely from the cylinder to the reservoir during normal operation but prevents reverse flow, thereby maintaining the force on the lower hitching points even when the distributor is in float position, eliminating the safety hazard while preserving operational ease
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically maintains safety through the non-return valve's inherent one-way flow characteristic without requiring operator intervention or additional control systems. The valve passively prevents oil leakage back to the reservoir, ensuring the load transfer system remains effective during U-turn maneuvers without complicating the control interface
2Adaptability or versatility
If the float position is used during transport, then flexibility is provided to the traction element, but the force exerted at the lower hitch points is lost causing instability during turning
Solution Approach 1:
The non-return valve acts as a mediator that permits flexible operation by allowing oil circulation during transport while simultaneously preventing the harmful reverse flow that would compromise stability during turning maneuvers, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and stability
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hydraulic circuit is connected to the load transfer system during intermediate configuration, then the system can respond to operator commands, but oil exchange between the systems causes loss of force on the carrier frame
Solution Approach 1:
The non-return valve serves as a selective intermediary that allows hydraulic communication and responsiveness during normal operation but blocks the reverse flow path that would cause force loss, thereby maintaining both adaptability and force integrity in the intermediate configuration
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 isolation device ensures the machine's stability and safety by maintaining the force applied to the carrier frame during U-turns, preventing accidental tool falls and damage, while allowing oil transfer in working and transport positions.
Implementation Method 1
a non-return valve in the circuit between the lift cylinder and the tractor's reservoir, so that the valve allows the oil to enter into the reservoir but prevents it from leaving the reservoir
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a trailed agricultural machine (1) comprising a carrier frame (3) equipped with processing tools (4) and capable of being connected to the three-point hitch (5) of a tractor (2) by means of a coupling frame (6), the carrier frame (3) bearing on the ground, at least during transport, by means of wheels (15), and a load transfer system (20) extending between the carrier frame (3) and the coupling frame (6) to exert a force on the coupling frame (6) in at least one intermediate configuration in which a majority of the processing tools (4) are not in contact with the ground and are arranged behind the wheels (15). The machine (1) is notable in that it includes a device (30) adapted to isolate the hydraulic circuit from the load transfer system (20) in the intermediate configuration.