Reversible Plow Hydraulic Inclination Stops for Continuous Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reversible ploughs face challenges in achieving a cost-effective and reliable adjustment of the angle of inclination, often requiring complex manual adjustments that interrupt tillage processes and are prone to hydraulic cylinder failures.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates two hydraulic cylinders acting as inclination stops to limit the rotary movement of the plough frame, allowing for continuous adjustment of the angle of inclination, with hydraulic cylinders connected through a control system to ensure side-independent adjustment and prevent excessive rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual mechanical tilt stops (spindles, cap nuts) are used to adjust the inclination angle, then the adjustment can be made, but the adjustment process is complex and requires interrupting the tillage process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of inclination adjustmentVSAvoidinterruption of tillage process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical tilt stops (spindles, cap nuts) with a hydraulic system. The hydraulic cylinder can adjust the inclination angle continuously and automatically without requiring manual intervention or interrupting the tillage process, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The hydraulic system enables the plough to adjust its own inclination angle automatically during operation. The operator can control the inclination adjustment without leaving the tractor, and the system performs the adjustment seamlessly without requiring the tillage process to be interrupted, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a complex hydraulic cylinder with multiple pistons is used to enable free adjustment of the plough frame position, then the inclination can be adjusted without leaving the tractor, but the hydraulic cylinder is costly and prone to failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment without leaving tractorVSAvoidhydraulic cylinder failure risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the hydraulic system into two independent parts: a rotating cylinder for controlling the rotation of the plough frame, and simpler hydraulic tilt stops for limiting the rotation angle. This segmentation avoids the need for a single complex multi-piston cylinder, reducing cost and improving reliability while maintaining the ability to adjust inclination without leaving the tractor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces tilt stops as intermediary elements that limit the rotation angle of the plough frame. These tilt stops work in conjunction with the rotating cylinder to achieve the desired inclination adjustment without requiring a complex hydraulic cylinder design, thereby reducing failure risk and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If tilt stops are designed as manually operated mechanical components, then the structure is simple, but the adjustment is complex and requires interrupting the tillage process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of tilt stop structureVSAvoidtillage process continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical tilt stops with a hydraulic system that can adjust the inclination angle continuously during operation. This substitution maintains the functional simplicity of tilt stops while eliminating the need to interrupt the tillage process for adjustments, thus preserving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Length of moving object

If the plough end is raised high to maintain clearance in half-turned position, then sufficient clearance is achieved, but the adjustment of inclination angle becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclearance between plough end and groundVSAvoidinclination adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a hydraulic system with rotating cylinder and tilt stops to control the plough frame rotation and inclination angle. This hydraulic system can achieve the required clearance by raising the plough end while maintaining simple control mechanisms, avoiding the need for complex mechanical adjustment devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 design enables efficient, reliable, and cost-effective adjustment of the plough's angle of inclination without interrupting tillage operations, enhancing maneuverability and reducing the risk of hydraulic cylinder failures.

Implementation Method 1

a plough frame which carries right-turning plough bodies on one side and left-turning plough bodies on the opposite side and which is rotatable at least indirectly relative to the headstock about a rotation axis by means of a rotating device actuated by at least one rotating cylinder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

two hydraulic cylinders are provided to limit the rotary movement, forming the inclination stops, which limit the travel path of the rotating cylinder or the rotary movement generated thereby

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic constraint: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP4322732B1Reversible plow
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 LEMKEN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4322732B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4322732B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4322732B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a reversible plow (1), comprising an attachment tower (2) with attachment points (3) for adapting the reversible plow (1) to a towing vehicle and comprising a plow frame (4) which supports plow elements (5) that rotate to the right on one side and plow elements (5') that rotate to the left on the opposite side and which can be rotated about a rotational axis (6) relative to the attachment tower (2) by means of a rotating device (8) actuated by a rotating cylinder (7), wherein annular chambers (21) and a piston chamber area (22) of the rotating cylinder (7) are connected to a first controller (25) and a first valve unit (26) by means of feed lines (23, 24) in order to actuate a rotational movement, the rotational movement is limited by adjustable inclination stops (16), and two hydraulic cylinders (17) which form the inclination stops (16) are provided on the attachment tower (2) in order to limit the rotational movement, said hydraulic cylinders limiting the movement path of the rotating cylinder (7).