Pivotable Coupling Bar for Agricultural Implement Maneuverability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural implements coupled to tractors using three-point linkages are rigid, prone to coming off track when turning, and sensitive to obstacles, leading to increased costs and complexity in hydraulic or mechanical solutions for angle control.

Innovation Solution

An agricultural implement with a coupling system featuring a pivotable coupling bar and cradle with guiding grooves and groove followers, allowing horizontal pivoting and tilting to redistribute traction force and accommodate obstacles, reducing the need for expensive hydraulic systems and enhancing maneuverability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If hydraulic arrangements are installed to control the angle of the agricultural implement, then the implement can pivot in the horizontal plane, but the cost increases substantially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to pivot in horizontal planeVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the hydraulic mechanical system with a purely mechanical coupling system. The coupling bar with laterally separated coupling portions and the bar cradle with guiding grooves create a mechanical linkage that enables horizontal pivoting through geometric constraints rather than hydraulic actuation. This substitution eliminates expensive hydraulic components while achieving the desired adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling system transitions from a rigid fixed-angle connection to a dynamic system where the coupling bar can pivot horizontally within the bar cradle. The guiding grooves allow the coupling bar to move laterally, enabling the implement to adapt its angle dynamically in response to terrain variations and obstacles without requiring active hydraulic control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If fully mechanical solutions with multiple moving parts and joints are used, then the implement can pivot mechanically, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to pivot in horizontal planeVSAvoidnumber of moving parts and joints

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling system is segmented into distinct functional components: the coupling bar with laterally separated coupling portions, the bar cradle with guiding grooves, and the groove followers. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function while maintaining overall simplicity. The lateral separation of coupling portions enables pivoting motion without requiring multiple complex joints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding grooves in the bar cradle are designed with curved paths that guide the coupling bar's motion. This geometric curvature enables smooth pivoting motion while constraining the coupling bar within defined limits. The curved groove geometry replaces the need for multiple articulated joints, reducing complexity while maintaining the desired range of motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the implement is rigidly connected to the tractor, then the connection is stable, but the implement cannot give way to obstacles by turning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverigid connection stabilityVSAvoidability to give way to obstacles

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling system changes the rigidity parameter dynamically. The connection is rigid in the vertical plane (maintaining stable suspension) but flexible in the horizontal plane (allowing pivoting to navigate obstacles). The guiding grooves constrain motion to specific directions, providing stability where needed while permitting adaptation where required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic semi-rigid connection. The coupling bar can pivot horizontally within the constraints of the guiding grooves, allowing the implement to dynamically adjust its position relative to the tractor when encountering obstacles, while maintaining stable vertical suspension through the implement hoist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4048048B1Agricultural implement and method of operating the agricultural implement

Publication Date: 2024.05.22 VAEDERSTAD HOLDING AB

Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~2c
Figure 3a~3c

AI summary

This document discloses an agricultural implement for tillage and/or drilling, comprising a frame (100, 101), a coupling (13), that is connected to the frame, for carried mounting to at least towing arms of an implement hoist of the traction vehicle, and a plurality of ground-engaging tools (11, 12), that are connected to the frame. The coupling (13) comprises a coupling bar (131) which has laterally separated coupling portions (1311a, 1311 b) for engagement with the towing arms. The coupling (13) comprises a bar cradle (132) that is connected to the frame, which has a bar space, in which the coupling bar is movably receivable, so that the bar, viewed in a horizontal plane, can be tilted in the bar space, a pair of laterally separated guiding grooves (1323a, 1323b), and a pair of laterally separated groove followers (1312a, 1312b), which are arranged to each run in said respective guiding grooves (1323a, 1323b). The guiding grooves (1323a, 1323b) are formed in one of the bar cradle (132) and the coupling bar (131 ). The horizontal movement of the bar (131 ) in the bar cradle (132) is limited by interaction between said guiding grooves and said groove followers (1312a, 1312b).