Modular Agricultural Toolbar with Horizontal Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural toolbars are limited by their proprietary nature, which restricts the variety of implements they can accommodate, leading to inefficiencies in field coverage, storage, and soil compaction, while also requiring multiple toolbars and hauling means, increasing costs and labor.
Innovation Solution
A modular agricultural toolbar with a horizontal hydraulic folding mechanism and extendable implement attachment members, allowing for a wide range of implements to be attached, reducing soil compaction and improving portability and field coverage efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a vertical folding system is used for the toolbar, then the folding mechanism is simple, but the vertical clearance allowance increases and the structure becomes top-heavy requiring low-speed transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional vertical folding approach by implementing a horizontal folding system. Instead of folding the toolbar vertically (perpendicular to the ground), the toolbar now folds horizontally (parallel to the ground), which reduces vertical clearance requirements while maintaining structural integrity during transport.
2Device complexity
If wheel systems are used for propulsion, then the implementation is simple, but soil compaction occurs under the wheels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic continuous track propulsion system instead of traditional wheels. The hydraulic system powers tracks that distribute the implement's weight over a larger surface area, reducing ground pressure and preventing soil compaction while maintaining effective propulsion through the field.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If continuous track propulsion is used, then soil compaction is reduced, but the transport speed is severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the continuous tracks can be deployed during field operations to reduce soil compaction, and retracted or elevated during transport phases to enable higher speeds. This dynamic configuration allows the implement to optimize its performance characteristics based on operational requirements.
4Device complexity
If proprietary toolbar designs are used, then the structure is simplified, but the variety of implements that can be accommodated is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal toolbar design with standardized mounting interfaces and adjustable configurations that can accommodate multiple types of agricultural implements. The horizontal folding mechanism and modular structure allow the same toolbar to perform various cultivation, planting, and harvesting operations by attaching different implement modules.
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 modular design enhances structural stability, portability, and field coverage, reducing soil compaction and the need for multiple toolbars, while enabling efficient use of various implements, thus improving agricultural productivity and reducing storage and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
A sled bracket is movably coupled to the plurality of rail members and configured to couple an end of at least one support member and to move along the length of the core frame. A hydraulic piston is coupled to the sled bracket and configured to move the sled bracket along the length of the core frame
Implementation Method 2
The horizontal axel is further coupled to a plurality of continuous track units configured to engage a ground surface and facilitate propulsion of the invention while reducing soil compaction within the engaged surface
Implementation Method 3
The plurality of hydraulic cylinders is configured to extend and retract along a vertical axis, raising or lowering the rotational gear assembly and the coupled horizontal axel and continuous track units
Data Source
AI summary
A modular agricultural toolbar comprising at least one retractable implement attachment member capable of accommodating various agricultural implementations, as well as a plurality of continuous track units for operational use and a plurality of wheels for transportation and storage use. The implement attachment members further capable of extending along a central axis, increasing the coverage areas of a given agricultural process while also being capable of folding horizontally alongside the core frame of the toolbar to enable ease of transportation and storage.