Pivotable Mower Collector Arms for Sloping Terrain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional collecting devices with mowers struggle to efficiently collect and compactly remove tall clippings like reeds, grass, and shrubs, especially on sloping ground, due to energy-intensive designs and poor maneuverability, leading to inefficient collection and storage.
Innovation Solution
A collecting device with pivotable collector arms above the mower, allowing independent tilting and adjustable closing pressure, combined with rotating feed elements to guide clippings into the collection area, enabling efficient pickup and compact storage even on sloping terrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the collection device is pivoted together with the mower to deposit clippings, then the clippings can be removed, but the design becomes energy-intensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The collection device is separated from the mower's drive system. The collection arms can pivot independently using simple spring pressure mechanisms rather than being coupled to the mower's complex drive and control system. This segmentation allows independent operation of the collection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting function for clipping deposition is extracted from the mower's main drive system. The collection arms are given independent pivoting capability through simple mechanical means (spring pressure) rather than requiring the entire mower drive system to pivot, thereby simplifying the overall system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the collection device and mower are tilted to process sloping ground, then the mower can work parallel to the ground, but the clippings are poorly collected
Solution Approach 1:
The collection arms are designed with dynamic pivoting capability and spring pressure mechanisms that allow them to adapt their position and pressure in response to varying terrain conditions. This dynamic adjustment enables effective clipping collection on sloping ground while maintaining the mower's optimal cutting angle.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring pressure mechanisms pre-load the collection arms with closing pressure before contact with clippings. This preliminary action ensures the arms are ready to effectively capture and hold clippings immediately upon contact, regardless of terrain slope, preventing poor collection before it occurs.
3Productivity
If conventional harvesting machines are used, then they can harvest crops, but they are heavy and difficult to maneuver on steep embankments
Solution Approach 1:
The harvesting system is segmented into a mower unit and a separate collection device that can be independently attached and adjusted. This modular approach creates a lighter, more maneuverable system compared to conventional integrated heavy harvesters, while maintaining harvesting capability through the attachment to agricultural machinery.
4Device complexity
If the collecting arms are subjected to closing pressure, then the collection area is defined, but the device becomes less adaptable to varying clipping amounts
Solution Approach 1:
The closing pressure on the collection arms is implemented through spring mechanisms that can dynamically adjust to varying amounts of clippings. The springs allow the arms to pivot and adapt their closing force automatically, maintaining effective collection area definition while adapting to different clipping volumes without complex control systems.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1e
Figure 2a~2e
AI summary
The collecting device has a mowing unit (2) for cutting the material, which is attached to vehicle, and two collecting arms (9) provided above the mowing unit in the collecting area, such that both the arms are pivoted mutually with the closing pressure. The collecting arms are arranged on a main support mounted on the mowing unit and tilted relative to the main support. A rotary feeding element (10) is arranged at the free ends of the collecting arms. The rotary feeding elements are provided with ribs parallel to the axis of rotation, on their surfaces.