Multi-Piston Cylinder for Agricultural Lifting Mechanisms
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural machines face complexity in controlling the lifting and pivoting mechanisms for hay-making units, particularly in achieving precise movements between the headland and transport positions without using complex hydraulic control systems, and in ensuring collision-free operation of multiple pistons within a single cylinder.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates at least two pistons within a single cylinder, each with different displacement paths and adjustable ranges, allowing for independent control of the piston rod's movement without overlapping displacement, enabling precise control and collision-free operation, and includes a detachable piston to extend the piston rod beyond its end position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple pistons are placed in a single cylinder to control different positions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the pistons may collide and interfere with each other's movement
Solution Approach 1:
The cylinder is divided into multiple independent chambers (first cylinder chamber and second cylinder chamber) separated by a partition wall. Each piston operates independently within its own chamber, eliminating collision risks while maintaining a compact single-cylinder structure. This segmentation allows multiple pistons to function simultaneously without interfering with each other's movement paths.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the support frame is lifted to headland position using the same cylinder unit, then the device complexity increases due to need for intermediate positions, but using complex hydraulic control means or mechanical stops makes the system more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting operation is divided into two independent stages controlled by two separate pistons: the first piston handles the initial lifting to headland position, while the second piston manages the subsequent lifting to transport position. This segmentation of lifting stages allows each piston to have its own dedicated control chamber, enabling precise control of intermediate positions without requiring complex valve arrangements or mechanical stops.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically assigns different functions to different pistons based on the current position state. The first piston is active for achieving headland position, while the second piston becomes active for achieving transport position. This dynamic functional assignment allows the same cylinder unit to handle multiple positioning requirements through simple, dedicated piston movements rather than complex control logic.
3Length of moving object
If the piston rod needs to extend beyond the cylinder end position, then the adjustment range is improved, but the piston structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the piston rod axially beyond the cylinder end (which would require complex rod support structures), the solution uses the radial dimension by providing a second piston in a second chamber that pushes the piston rod to extend it further. This dimensional approach allows extended stroke length while maintaining a compact cylinder structure without exposing the rod end beyond the cylinder housing.
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
This solution simplifies the pressure control and allows for a two-stage approach to the transport position, enhancing the machine's mobility and reducing the risk of mechanical interference, thereby improving the efficiency and precision of the lifting and pivoting movements.
Implementation Method 1
actuating cylinder unit with a plurality of cylinders and pistons
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to an agricultural machine, which can be designed as a haymaking machine, preferably in the form of a tedder or rake, with a chassis (2) that can be attached to a tractor and is supported on the ground by a running gear (4), and at least one working unit (5) for forage or soil cultivation, which is mounted on a support frame (7) which, relative to the chassis (2) together with the working unit (5), can be lifted into a headland position and a transport position by a lifting/swivel device (19), wherein the lifting/swivel device (19) comprises an actuating cylinder unit (20) with several cylinders (40, 41) and pistons (43, 44, 45).According to the invention, several pistons are received in at least one of the cylinders of the actuating cylinder unit and are slidably mounted relative to a piston rod (42) which is slidably received in the cylinder, wherein the several pistons (44,45) have different, each limited displacement ranges relative to the piston rod.