Lateral Transport System with Non-Parallel Wheel Axes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural mowing devices face challenges with cost-effective and efficient integrated lateral transport systems, as traditional systems add significant weight, complexity, and uneven weight distribution, leading to increased operational costs and instability during transportation.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural mowing device with a lateral transport system featuring non-parallel transport wheel axes and a rotatable transport frame connected to the tongue, allowing for centered lateral transport and reduced complexity with a single transport actuator, which supports the mowing device during towing and reduces overall weight distribution issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a separate transport trailer is used to reduce the width of the mowing device for transportation, then the mowing device can be transported on farm lanes and roadways, but the cost increases significantly due to separate purchase, maintenance, and transportation of the trailer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the transport system directly into the mower structure by combining the transport frame with the trail frame. The transport wheels are mounted on the trail frame, eliminating the need for a separate transport trailer. This merging of functions reduces overall system cost while maintaining the width reduction capability for transportation.
2Ease of operation
If an integrated transport system with multiple actuators is used to pivot the mower parallel with the forward direction of travel, then the transport convenience improves, but the overall weight of the mower package increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single actuator that dynamically adjusts the transport frame angle relative to the tongue. This dynamic adjustment allows the transport frame to pivot between operational and transport positions without requiring multiple actuators. The single actuator reduces the overall weight while maintaining transport convenience through controlled angular positioning.
3Ease of operation
If a traditional integrated transport system is used, then the mowing device can be transported, but the weight distribution becomes uneven with one wheel carrying 1.5-2 times more weight than the other, leading to excess wear and increased cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the transport wheels asymmetrically relative to the tongue, with the wheels arranged at specific angles to the longitudinal axis. This asymmetric configuration, combined with the single actuator positioning system, distributes the mower weight more evenly across both transport wheels during transport, reducing excessive wear on individual wheels while maintaining transport capability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the transport system is attached to the trail frame, then the transport system moves with the trail frame during field maneuvers, but the added weight introduces large inertia causing discomfort and instability when field position changes quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transport system from the trail frame by mounting it on the tongue instead. This segmentation allows the transport system to remain stationary relative to the towing vehicle during field maneuvers, reducing the inertia effects that cause operator discomfort. The trail frame and transport frame operate independently, with the transport frame staying fixed to the tongue while the trail frame moves during field operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural mowing device (120) that includes a tongue (122) configured for connecting to an agricultural vehicle (110), a trail frame (124), first and second trail-frame wheels (128), and a transport system (200). The transport system (200) includes a transport frame (202) rotatably connected to the tongue (122) and rotatable relative to the tongue (122) about a frame axis of rotation (A2) and first and second transport wheels (206) for supporting the tongue (122) in the transport position. The first transport wheel (204) and the second transport wheel (206) each being rotatable about a respective wheel axis of rotation (A3, A4). Each respective wheel axis of rotation (A3, A4) is not parallel to the frame axis of rotation (A2).