Hydraulic Latching System for Agricultural Implement Wings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural implements with foldable components require significant operator effort and time to switch between transport and operational positions, often relying on mechanical latching or continuous hydraulic cylinder energization, which can be unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic latching arrangement with a shared actuating linkage and remotely operable mechanism allows wing sections to pivot between operational and transport positions, using clamping arrangements independent of fold cylinders and a lever with a hook for secure component retention, enabling minimal operator intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical latching arrangements are used to secure movable parts in transport position, then component retention is achieved, but operator effort and time are significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The latching system uses the existing hydraulic pressure from the fold cylinders to automatically engage and disengage the latches through spring-loaded mechanisms. The latches self-engage when hydraulic pressure is applied and self-disengage when pressure is released, eliminating the need for operator intervention to manually operate the latching mechanism while maintaining secure component retention
2Reliability
If mechanical latching arrangements are used to secure movable parts, then component retention is achieved, but operator intervention is required to engage and disengage latches
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage using hydraulic pressure and spring forces. When hydraulic pressure is applied to the fold cylinders, it triggers the latches to self-engage through integrated spring-loaded mechanisms. Conversely, when hydraulic pressure is released, the springs automatically disengage the latches, completely eliminating the need for operator intervention to manually operate the latching system
3Ease of operation
If continued energization of actuating cylinders is used to secure components, then component retention is maintained, but system reliability decreases due to hydraulic failure risk
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses spring-loaded latches that are designed to be replaced rather than repaired. These disposable-style latches provide reliable mechanical retention without depending on continuous hydraulic pressure. If a latch fails or becomes worn, it can be quickly replaced, eliminating the risk of catastrophic hydraulic system failure while maintaining ease of operation through continuous energization capability
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 system securely retains implement components in transport position without relying on hydraulic cylinders, allowing for efficient conversion between operational and transport configurations with minimal operator action, ensuring components can be extended for operation and retracted for transport without the operator leaving the towing unit.
Implementation Method 1
hydraulic fold cylinders operable to pivot the forward and rearward components from their operational position to the transport position
Implementation Method 2
A shared hydraulic cylinder is coupled through a common actuating linkage for simultaneously moving the first and second clamping arrangements toward corresponding component retaining positions
Implementation Method 3
First and second hydraulically actuable clamping arrangements retain the forward and rearward components in their respective transport positions independent of the fold cylinders
Implementation Method 4
The latching arrangement has a lever with a component engaging hook near one end and a fulcrum pivotally fixed to a non-retractable portion of the implement
Data Source
AI summary
A latching arrangement for an agricultural implement having components which may be retracted or folded from an extended operational position to a stowed position better suited to transport and/or storage including a first remotely operable actuating mechanism for moving a component between the stowed and extended positions, a lever having a component engaging hook near one end and a fulcrum fixed to the implement, and a second remotely operable actuating mechanism for selectively engaging the hook and component only when the component is in the stowed position. The second actuating mechanism is operable independently of, and from the same location as, the first actuating mechanism. The second actuating mechanism comprises a hydraulic cylinder fixed to the implement and having a piston rod coupled to the lever near a lever end opposite the hook.