Offset Disc Harrow Tool Trains with Deformable Linkage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Soil treatment machines, such as disc harrows, face issues with creating uneven soil/residue mixtures and instability due to waves/undulations caused by disc projections, leading to suboptimal seedbed preparation and reduced working speed, which cannot be effectively addressed by modifying working depth or tool spacing adjustments.

Innovation Solution

The machine incorporates deformable mechanical connections between support members and the chassis, allowing for manual or power-assisted adjustments of the relative position of tool trains, maintaining optimal speed and preserving the angle of attack and working depth, thus ensuring a homogeneous seedbed preparation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the speed of advance is reduced to prevent waves and undulations, then the quality of work and homogeneity of soil mixture is improved, but the productivity and working efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of workVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The support members are made movable relative to the chassis through deformable mechanical connections, allowing the machine to dynamically adjust its configuration during operation. This enables the machine to maintain optimal performance across varying working conditions without sacrificing productivity, as the adjustable geometry prevents wave formation while allowing continued operation at effective speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the position of tool trains is fixed relative to the chassis, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different working conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support members are designed with deformable mechanical connections that allow them to move relative to the chassis, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one. This enables the machine to adapt its tool train positions to different working conditions such as varying soil types and residue quantities, significantly improving versatility while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through the use of straightforward mechanical linkages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the spacing between tool trains is increased to reduce wave projection, then the harmful effects are reduced, but the treatment thickness and quality of seedbed preparation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveharmful factorsVSAvoidquality of work
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than using fixed increased spacing to reduce wave projection, the invention employs dynamically adjustable spacing through movable support members. This allows the machine to optimize the balance between reducing harmful wave effects and maintaining adequate treatment thickness, as the spacing can be adjusted based on actual working conditions rather than being predetermined.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If the working depth is modified to address wave issues, then the stability is improved, but the agronomic quality of seedbed preparation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidquality of work
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention addresses stability issues not by modifying working depth but by enabling dynamic adjustment of tool train positions through movable support members. This allows the machine to maintain optimal working depth for agronomic quality while achieving stability through geometric adjustment, preventing wave formation and undulations without compromising seedbed preparation quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3375271B1Agricultural soil preparation machine comprising two mutually offset disc trains with adjustable position in the forward direction
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 KUHN-HUARD SAS
  • EP3375271B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3375271B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3375271B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an agricultural soil treatment machine (1) comprising a chassis (2) and at least two sets (3, 3') of working tools in the form of rotating discs, each set (3, 3') forming an alignment of tools (4) in one or more parts extending transversely with respect to the normal direction of advance (A) of the machine (1) in use and said sets (3, 3') being mutually offset in the direction of advance (A), the set of tools (4) of a given set (3, 3') being mounted directly or indirectly on a common support member (5) connected to the chassis (2).Agricultural machine (1) characterized in that at least one of the support members (5) is connected to the chassis (2) by means of at least one deformable mechanical link (6), allowing a modification of the relative position of the train (3, 3') considered with respect to the chassis (2) in the direction of advance (A), this under the action of at least one adjusting element (7), so as to maintain a homogeneous soil/residue mixture.