Pivoting Ground-Engaging Assembly for Uniform Furrow Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ground engaging assemblies on agricultural toolbars deviate from optimal row spacing during turns, leading to inefficient seed and fertilizer distribution and lower yields due to overlap or gaps in furrow deposition.
Innovation Solution
A pivotal ground engaging assembly with a pivoting joint that allows side-to-side movement, limited by a stopping device, and a locking mechanism to maintain optimal position during turns, ensuring uniform furrow spacing and reducing wear on components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If ground engaging assemblies are rigidly attached to the toolbar, then structural stability is improved, but row spacing precision deteriorates during turns
Solution Approach 1:
The ground engaging assembly is transformed from a rigid fixed attachment to a dynamic pivoting attachment. The assembly can rotate laterally on a vertical axis through a pivot joint, allowing it to adapt its position during toolbar turns while maintaining optimal row spacing. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by enabling both structural stability through the pivot connection and precision row spacing through lateral movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground engaging assembly is separated from the toolbar frame through an independent pivot joint, creating two distinct movable segments. This segmentation allows the assembly to move independently relative to the toolbar, enabling lateral rotation to maintain row spacing during turns while the toolbar maintains its overall structural stability.
2Manufacturing precision
If ground engaging assemblies are pivotally mounted to allow lateral movement, then row spacing precision is improved during turns, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot joint provides controlled dynamic movement rather than complete freedom of movement. The assembly can pivot laterally to maintain row spacing, but the pivot connection itself provides structural stability by firmly attaching the assembly to the toolbar frame, preventing excessive or uncontrolled movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot joint acts as an intermediary mechanism between the toolbar frame and the ground engaging assembly. It mediates between the need for lateral movement (for precision) and the need for structural stability, allowing controlled rotation while maintaining a firm mechanical connection.
3Productivity
If the toolbar length is increased to accommodate more ranks of ground engaging assemblies, then productivity is improved, but the deviation from optimal row spacing during turns worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Each ground engaging assembly on the extended toolbar is equipped with independent pivot joints, allowing each assembly to dynamically adjust its lateral position during turns. This enables the toolbar to maintain optimal row spacing across all ranks even when extended to increase productivity, as each assembly adapts independently to the turning motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The extended toolbar with multiple ranks of assemblies benefits from segmentation through independent pivot joints at each assembly location. This segmentation allows each assembly to move independently, preventing the cumulative deviation that would occur in a rigid extended toolbar, thereby maintaining precision across the entire extended width.
Data Source
AI summary
A pivotal ground engaging assembly for applying either seed, fertilizer or both in the ground is provided, the assembly comprising a pivot joint for pivotally mounting the pivotal ground engaging assembly either directly or indirectly to a frame of an implement. The pivot joint allows the pivotal ground engaging assembly to maintain optimal position when the implement travels through turns so that seed and/or fertilizer furrows remain evenly spaced.