Leveling Assembly for Agricultural Implement Hitch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural tillage implements face challenges in maintaining a consistent operational position while being towed behind vehicles, particularly during height adjustments, which can lead to uneven operation and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The tillage implement features a leveling assembly with a rockshaft, wheel assembly, and actuators that adjust the hitch position based on wheel movement, ensuring the implement remains level and aligned with the towing vehicle, even as frame sections are raised or lowered.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the wheel assembly is moved between raised and lowered positions during tillage operations, then the implement can adapt to different ground conditions and operational requirements, but the hitch assembly position becomes unstable and the implement becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The leveling assembly uses a rockshaft connected to the wheel assembly that automatically responds to wheel position changes. When wheels move between raised and lowered positions, the rockshaft rotates and triggers the leveling links and actuators to adjust the hitch assembly position accordingly, creating a feedback mechanism that maintains implement stability during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The rockshaft acts as an intermediary mechanism between the wheel assembly and the leveling assembly. It translates wheel position changes into rotational motion that drives the leveling links and actuators, enabling automatic compensation for position changes without direct mechanical connection between wheels and hitch assembly
2Stability of the object's composition
If the hitch assembly position changes during wheel movement, then the implement can maintain level operation, but additional complexity is introduced through the leveling assembly mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The leveling assembly employs dynamic components including a rotatable rockshaft, movable leveling links, and actuators that automatically adjust the hitch assembly position. This dynamic system responds in real-time to wheel position changes, maintaining implement levelness through continuous adaptation rather than fixed structural arrangements
Solution Approach 2:
The leveling assembly integrates multiple components in a nested arrangement where the rockshaft connects to the wheel assembly, leveling links connect the rockshaft to the hitch assembly, and actuators are positioned within the linkages. This nested structure achieves complex leveling functionality while consolidating components into a compact integrated system
Data Source
AI summary
A tillage implement includes an implement frame having a first lengthwise frame member, a second lengthwise frame member, and a lateral frame member connected to and extending between the first and second lengthwise frame members. A hitch assembly is rotatably connected to the implement frame. A wheel assembly is connected to the implement frame and moveable between a raised position and a lowered position. A rockshaft is rotatably connected to the implement frame and connected to the wheel assembly. A leveling assembly is connected to the implement frame, the rockshaft, and the hitch assembly. The leveling assembly is configured to adjust the position of the hitch assembly based on movement of the rockshaft. The leveling assembly includes an actuator connected to and aligned with a leveling link.