Agricultural Mower Linkage for Ground Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural machines with large working widths face challenges in ground adaptation due to limited space for articulated connections, leading to potential collisions and uneven soil or crop cultivation, especially when dealing with difficult ground contours and obstacles.
Innovation Solution
An articulated rod system with a link arrangement forming a virtual instantaneous axis of rotation, allowing for divergent alignment of connecting links to enable complex ground adjustment movements without overloading space or causing collisions, using multiple-axis joints like ball joints or cardan joints to facilitate bending, angling, and evasive movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the working units are divided into several unit parts with articulated connections to improve ground adaptation, then the ability to adapt to ground contours is improved, but the space required for the articulated connection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The working unit is divided into multiple unit parts (first and second unit parts) that can move independently relative to each other. Each unit part can adapt to local ground contours while maintaining coordinated movement through the articulated connection, enabling fine ground adaptation without requiring excessive space for the joint mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground adjustment axis is oriented transversely to the direction of travel, allowing unit parts to move in a dimension perpendicular to the main direction of motion. This transverse articulation enables ground adaptation without interfering with the longitudinal space requirements for the machine's primary functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the unit parts are allowed to move freely relative to one another to improve ground adaptation, then the ability to follow ground contours is improved, but the risk of collisions between unit parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated connection provides dynamic, controlled movement between unit parts rather than rigid fixed positioning. The joint allows each unit part to respond independently to ground variations while maintaining coordinated motion through the shared ground adjustment axis, preventing collisions while enabling contour following.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground adjustment mechanism changes the relative position and orientation parameters of adjacent unit parts in a controlled manner. By adjusting the angle and position of each unit part relative to its neighbor around the transverse ground adjustment axis, the system achieves smooth adaptation to ground contours without excessive movement that could cause collisions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the ground adjustment axis is arranged in the working plane to avoid collisions, then the risk of collision is reduced, but the available space for the articulated connection is further limited
Solution Approach 1:
The ground adjustment axis is arranged transversely to the direction of travel, utilizing the lateral dimension rather than the vertical or longitudinal dimensions. This transverse orientation allows the articulated connection to be positioned in the working plane for collision avoidance while minimizing interference with the space required for other working components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If complex multi-axis ground adjustment movements are implemented to improve adaptation to difficult ground contours, then the ground adaptation capability is improved, but the complexity of the articulated connection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex ground adjustment movement is achieved by segmenting the articulation into multiple simple pin joints, each providing one degree of freedom. The first and second pin joints are arranged at different locations and orientations, and their combined action produces the complex multi-axis movement pattern needed for adapting to difficult ground contours while keeping each individual joint simple.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple simple pin joints are merged into a coordinated articulated connection system. The first pin joint connecting the first unit part to the second unit part, and the second pin joint connecting the second unit part to the third unit part, work together to produce complex ground adjustment movements through their combined kinematic action, achieving multi-axis adaptation without requiring complex individual joints.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an agricultural machine, in particular in the form of a mower, comprising at least one working unit to be guided over the ground, which includes at least two unit parts connected to each other by a joint connection and which, in the working position, can be tilted relative to each other about a horizontal ground-adaptation axis for ground contour following. According to the invention, the joint connection between the unit parts is formed by a linkage assembly comprising two connecting links, each of which is pivotally connected at one end section to one unit part and at the opposite end section to the other unit part, and which are oriented in diverging directions such that the connecting links form the ground-adaptation axis in the form of an instantaneous axis of rotation. The aforementioned linkage assembly can not only prevent buckling or...The system allows not only the angling of the component parts relative to each other around the aforementioned ground adaptation axis, but also relative movements of the component parts relative to each other in the direction of travel or approximately parallel to the aforementioned ground adaptation axis.