Agricultural Implement Mounting Frame for Lateral Beam Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural implements face challenges in structural rigidity and secure mounting on foundation frames, particularly when the mounting beams are connected only at their ends, leading to stress and potential lateral movement issues during operation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a U-shaped foundation frame with laterally spaced mounting beams and a rigid structural member attached to the beams' outer portions prevents lateral movement, providing structural rigidity and secure attachment, while a ramp and support system facilitates the transition from an idle to an operating position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mounting beams are connected only at their ends to the base, then the implement area between beams is clear and accessible, but the mounting beams can move laterally with respect to each other causing stress and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mounting beam structure with a rigid cross-member that connects the first and second mounting beams laterally. This merging creates a unified rigid structure that prevents lateral movement while maintaining the clear implement area between the beams, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a third dimension by adding lateral connectivity between the mounting beams through a cross-member. This additional dimensional connection prevents lateral movement without interfering with the vertical and horizontal accessibility to the implement area, thus resolving the stability-accessibility contradiction.
2Strength
If a rigid structure is added to prevent lateral movement of mounting beams, then structural rigidity and stability are improved, but the complexity of the foundation frame increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reinforcement function into a separate cross-member component that connects the mounting beams. This segmentation allows the rigid structure to be added as a distinct element rather than complicating the base-beam connections, thus improving structural rigidity while minimizing increases in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-member serves multiple functions: it prevents lateral movement of mounting beams, provides additional mounting points for implements, and enhances overall structural rigidity. This multi-functionality justifies the added structure by delivering multiple benefits from a single component, reducing the net increase in complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the foundation frame is designed with laterally spaced mounting beams for implement attachment, then versatility of implement mounting is improved, but lateral forces can cause stress and potential movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lateral support function into the mounting beam structure by adding a rigid cross-member that connects the beams. This combined structure maintains the laterally spaced configuration needed for versatile implement mounting while simultaneously providing rigid lateral support to resist lateral forces and prevent stress-induced movement.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural implement for mounting on a U-shaped foundation frame supported on wheels for travel over a ground surface where the foundation frame includes first and second laterally spaced mounting beams fixed to and extending from a base. The implement is configured to perform an agricultural operation, to rest on the ground surface when in an idle position, and to attach to the foundation frame when in an operating position. The implement comprises a rigid implement portion configured to be attached to the first and second mounting beams at first and second beam locations remote from the base such that the first and second mounting beams are prevented from moving laterally with respect to each other.