Compensating Structure for Towed Agricultural Implement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Towed agricultural implements with offset centers of gravity experience uneven bearing loads and deflections due to misalignment of the horizontal pivoting axis, leading to poor tracking and stability issues during transport and cornering.
Innovation Solution
A compensating structure with a biasing member, comprising a tubular support and elastic spring elements, balances unequal loads by adjusting the lateral center of gravity to the axis of rotation, ensuring equal bearing loads on both sides of the implement, and damping lateral oscillations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the horizontal pivoting axis is aligned with the lateral centre of gravity, then equal bearing loads are achieved, but manufacturing efficiency and adaptability to different working implements are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A compensating structure with counterweight is integrated into the hitch assembly to offset the lateral offset between the pivoting axis and centre of gravity. The counterweight generates a balancing moment that compensates for the uneven bearing loads, allowing the pivoting axis to remain in a fixed, universally compatible position while achieving equal load distribution across different working implements.
Solution Approach 2:
The compensating structure acts as an intermediary element between the hitch and the working implement, mediating the force transmission. It includes a lateral offset compensating mechanism that introduces a counterbalancing force to equalize the bearing loads on the left and right sides of the pivoting axis, thereby resolving the contradiction between fixed axis positioning and variable implement configurations.
2Ease of operation
If prestressed springs are used to maintain neutral position, then the implement returns to zero position, but unequal spring loads cause strong deflections and poor tracking when cornering
Solution Approach 1:
The compensating structure with counterweight balances the lateral forces acting on the hitch during cornering maneuvers. By generating an opposing moment to the lateral offset, it equalizes the load distribution on the prestressed springs, preventing excessive deflection and improving tracking stability while maintaining the ability to return to the neutral position.
3Ease of manufacture
If the pivoting axis is offset from the centre of gravity for manufacturing efficiency, then universal chassis design is achieved, but different bearing loads and strong deflections occur
Solution Approach 1:
The compensating structure integrates a counterweight mechanism that offsets the lateral offset between the pivoting axis and centre of gravity. This allows the chassis to maintain a fixed, universally compatible pivoting axis position for standardized production, while the counterweight dynamically compensates for the uneven bearing loads generated by different working implement configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The compensating structure is designed as a universal solution that can accommodate various working implements with different centres of gravity. The lateral offset compensating mechanism adjusts or balances the forces to equalize bearing loads across different implement configurations, making the standardized chassis design universally applicable while maintaining reliable load distribution.
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 effectively compensates for varying centers of gravity, reducing uneven bearing loads and preventing implement tilt during transport, thereby enhancing stability and tracking performance.
Implementation Method 1
the biasing member comprises an elastic spring element, for example a helical spring or rubber buffer mounted on a connecting member
Implementation Method 2
The biasing member has resilient/resilient and damping properties to allow lateral oscillation of the towed agricultural implement to be damped
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A towed agricultural implement comprises a first headstock element 20 for connection to a towing vehicle, a second headstock element 22 supporting a chassis member provided with a plurality of working implements, a pivot pin 92 for connecting the first headstock member 20 and the second headstock member 22 and defining a horizontal axis of rotation between the first headstock member 20 and the second headstock member 22, in which the second headstock member 22 has a lateral centre of gravity offset from the axis of rotation. A compensating structure 110 is provided between the first headstock member 20 and the second headstock member 22 to offset the unbalanced loads caused by the lateral centre of gravity being offset from the axis of rotation.