Semimounted Turn-About Plough Axis Positioning for Torque Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing semi-mounted reversible plows require high rotational energy for turning the plow frame, leading to complex, heavy, and expensive slewing gear designs, which increase manufacturing costs and reduce tractor stability during turning.

Innovation Solution

The axis of rotation is positioned to intersect the plow frame on the furrow side, with the center of gravity between the axis of rotation and the swivel joint, allowing weight transfer from the plow to the tractor via a hydraulic cylinder, reducing the torque required by the slewing gear and enhancing stability. Additionally, the axis of rotation is arranged in the front area or between plow bodies to increase the lever arm, and a towing frame is connected to stabilize the wheel position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the slewing gear is designed to generate high torque for turning the plow frame, then the turning capability is improved, but the slewing gear becomes complex, heavy, and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque for turning plow frameVSAvoidslewing gear complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the axis of rotation such that the plow frame's weight creates a counterbalancing moment during turning. The axis intersects the plow frame in the front area, allowing the weight of the plow frame to act as a counterweight that reduces the torque demand on the slewing gear, thereby simplifying its design while maintaining turning capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Force

If the axis of rotation is positioned to increase the lever arm for weight transfer, then the torque reduction for turning is improved, but the structural configuration becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelever arm effectivenessVSAvoidstructural configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the structural complexity issue by repositioning the axis of rotation in the front area of the plow frame, creating a longer lever arm for weight transfer. This dimensional repositioning allows the hydraulic cylinder to exert force more effectively, reducing slewing gear torque requirements without adding mechanical complexity to the linkage system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Force

If weight is transferred from the plow to the tractor during turning, then the slewing gear torque is reduced, but the tractor stability during turning may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight transfer magnitudeVSAvoidtractor stability during turning
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the axis of rotation in the front area of the plow frame, which creates a counterbalancing effect during turning. This positioning ensures that weight transfer occurs in a controlled manner that reduces slewing gear torque while maintaining tractor stability through the counterbalancing moment generated by the offset axis position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration significantly reduces the rotational energy needed for the slewing gear, lowers manufacturing costs, and improves tractor stability and traction during turning by optimizing weight transfer from the plow to the tractor.

Implementation Method 1

a hydraulic cylinder (15) is provided, which is connected to the plow frame (7) and to the attachment frame (5) or to the intermediate frame (13)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

the center of gravity of the plow frame lies between the axis of rotation or the imaginary extension of the axis of rotation and the swivel joint of the chassis or wheel... actuating the hydraulic cylinder causes the plow frame to rotate if the tractive force in the hydraulic cylinder is designed to be correspondingly large

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorque: Torque

Implementation Method 3

the axis of rotation or the imaginary extension of the axis of rotation intersects the plow frame in the working position on the furrow side at a distance from the center of gravity of the plow frame... the distance to the center of gravity of the plow frame is relatively large and thus also the effective lever arm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLever arm: Lever

Implementation Method 4

the center of gravity of the plow frame lies between the axis of rotation or the imaginary extension of the axis of rotation and the swivel joint of the chassis or wheel... weight is transferred from the semi-mounted reversible plow to the tractor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2568796B1Semimounted turn-about plough
Publication Date: 2017.10.11 LEMKEN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2568796B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2568796B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2568796B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a semimounted turn-about plough (1) with a device for transferring weight from the plough to the tractor for the purpose of improving the traction of the tractor, in which device the axis of rotation (11) is arranged in such a manner that the transfer of weight simultaneously also reduces the torque required for the rotation operation and increases the stability of the tractor during the rotation operation.