Multi-segmented Haymaking Machine Transport Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural machines with multiple rotors face challenges in transport configuration due to significant height and length, as well as increased structural stress from rotor weight, limiting their maneuverability and compliance with regulations.
Innovation Solution
The machine design includes at least four rotors per side group with an orientation axis between the second and fourth axis of rotation, allowing rotors to pivot between 20° and 60°, and an outer part that can pivot above an inner part, reducing the machine's dimensions and stress during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of rotors per lateral group is increased to enhance working width, then productivity is improved, but the machine's height and length in transport configuration increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral group is divided into two articulated segments that can pivot relative to each other around a vertical axis. This segmentation allows the rotors to be distributed across multiple segments that can be folded or repositioned during transport, enabling increased working width through multiple rotors while maintaining compact dimensions during transport configuration.
2Productivity
If the number of rotors per lateral group is increased to enhance working width, then productivity is improved, but the structural stress from rotor weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral group is divided into two articulated segments that can pivot relative to each other around a vertical axis. This segmentation distributes the weight of multiple rotors across separate segments and articulation points, reducing concentrated structural stress on the chassis while still enabling increased working width through the combined span of multiple rotors on different segments.
3Productivity
If the machine is designed with multiple rotors to increase working width, then productivity is improved, but the machine's height in transport configuration increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation axis between segments is oriented vertically, perpendicular to the plane containing the rotor axes. This dimensional change allows the segments to pivot in a vertical plane, enabling the rotors to be positioned at different heights during transport configuration. The segments can be folded upward or repositioned vertically, reducing the overall height footprint while maintaining the working width capability when deployed.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6A
Figure 6B~7A
AI summary
The present invention relates to an agricultural machine (1) moving in a forward direction (DA) during operation and comprising a frame (2) and two side units (G1 and G2), each side unit being articulated on either side of the frame so as to be able to pivot about a first axis of travel (B1) substantially parallel to the forward direction. Each side unit comprises several rotors (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5), each rotating about an axis of rotation and supported by a bearing. The rotors of a side unit are articulated to each other, and each side unit can adopt a deployed operating configuration in which the axes of rotation of its rotors lie in the same plane, and a transport configuration in which these axes of rotation are substantially horizontal.Each side group comprises an inner part including the first rotor (R1) and the second rotor (R2) and an outer part including at least the last two rotors (R3, R4, R5) from the chassis, the outer part being able to pivot between a position beside and a position above the inner part in view according to the direction of advance.