Plow Four-Bar Linkage Diagonal Adjustment Kinematics

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing plow designs face limitations in adjustment options and kinematics, particularly at small tractor track widths, due to restricted space and kinematic constraints, making it difficult to guide the plow effectively.

Innovation Solution

The plow features a reconfigured four-bar linkage with a link arranged between the control lever and the supporting rocker, allowing for diagonal adjustment, enabling a rotary movement of the plow frame and improved alignment with the direction of travel, along with a hydraulic cylinder for remote adjustment and a toggle lever for simplified handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the link is arranged between the plow frame and the supporting rocker to enable adjustment, then the adjustment capability is improved, but the installation space is insufficient especially at small tractor track widths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment capabilityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The link is repositioned from a radial arrangement to a diagonal arrangement within the four-bar linkage mechanism. This spatial reconfiguration utilizes the diagonal dimension of the linkage parallelogram, effectively stretching or compressing the mechanism to achieve plow frame adjustment without requiring additional radial space between the supporting rocker and plow frame.

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

2Device complexity

If the link is arranged radially between the supporting rocker and plow frame, then the adjustment mechanism is simplified, but the kinematics become restricted making plow guidance difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanism simplicityVSAvoidplow guidance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The link is positioned diagonally within the four-bar linkage rather than radially, allowing the plow frame to perform essential rotary movement while the link influences the alignment through diagonal adjustment. This resolves the conflict between mechanism simplicity and operational ease by utilizing the diagonal dimension of the linkage.

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

3Length of moving object

If the plow frame is aligned almost parallel to the carrying arm to achieve very small track width, then the track width is reduced, but the adjustment is prevented by the link arrangement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrack widthVSAvoidadjustment possibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The link is arranged diagonally within the four-bar linkage mechanism, allowing it to stretch or compress the linkage parallelogram. This diagonal arrangement enables the plow frame to achieve alignment almost parallel to the carrying arm for very small track widths while maintaining adjustment capability, as the link operates in the diagonal dimension rather than radially.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4023040B1Plough with combined adjusting device for working width and forward furrow width
Publication Date: 2023.06.28 AMAZONEN WERKE H DREYER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4023040B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4023040B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4023040B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A plow (1) with a mounting frame (2), a plow frame (4) adjustably arranged on the mounting frame (2) by means of an adjustment center designed as a four-bar linkage (3), wherein the four-bar linkage (3) consists of a reversing console (3A) rigidly connected to the mounting frame (2), a control lever (3B) arranged opposite the reversing console (3A), a support arm (3C) arranged between the reversing console (3A) and the control lever (3B), and a stabilizer (3D) arranged between the reversing console (3A) and the control lever (3B), and with at least one length-adjustable link (8) acting on the four-bar linkage (3) for adjusting the front furrow width (VB1, VB2), and a length-adjustable actuator (9) arranged between the four-bar linkage (3) and the plow frame (4) and designed as a working width adjustment means, wherein the working width adjustment means are connected to the front furrow width adjustment means by means of the four-bar linkage (3). are connected.In order to create a plow (1) with an improved adjustment center which has improved kinematics for more installation space and improved plow guidance, it is provided that the link (8) is arranged within the four-bar linkage (3) between the control lever (3B) on the one hand and the support arm (3C) or the stabilizer (3D) on the other hand, influencing the orientation of the four-bar linkage (3).