Reversible Plow Support Wheel Depth Control Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reversible plows require significant structural effort and increased construction costs to maintain optimal working depth control after a turning process, with hydraulic cylinders and accumulators experiencing wear during everyday operation.
Innovation Solution
A reversible plow design where the support wheel's adjusting element is mechanically supported in its set working depth guide, allowing the actuator to release and pivot freely during plow frame rotation, with the hydraulic wheel cylinder remaining in its adjusted position, eliminating the need for re-setting the working depth after a turn.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate control via wheel cylinder is used to resume working depth control after turning, then optimal working depth control is maintained, but structural effort and construction costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the depth control function and the turning support function into a single support wheel assembly. The support wheel serves dual purposes: controlling working depth during plowing and supporting the plow frame during turning operations, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms while maintaining both functions effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The support wheel is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both depth guidance and turning support tasks. By making the support wheel universal in its function, the patent reduces the overall number of components needed and simplifies the control system while ensuring both plowing and turning operations are properly managed
2Manufacturing precision
If hydraulic cylinders and accumulators are used for depth adjustment, then precise working depth control is achieved, but wear increases during everyday operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the depth control function from the hydraulic cylinder system and transfers it to the mechanically supported support wheel. By removing the dependency of depth control on hydraulic components, the patent eliminates wear-related reliability issues while maintaining precise depth control through mechanical support
Solution Approach 2:
The support wheel with mechanical support serves itself to maintain depth control without requiring active hydraulic intervention. The mechanical support structure passively maintains the support wheel in its set position, eliminating the need for continuous hydraulic pressure and reducing component wear from constant hydraulic operation
3Ease of operation
If the support wheel pivots during turning, then the turning process is enabled, but the working depth setting is lost requiring re-adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares the support wheel in advance by providing a mechanical support structure that maintains its set position during turning. This preliminary mechanical support prevents the support wheel from pivoting or losing its depth setting during the turning operation, so no re-adjustment is needed afterward
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of allowing the support wheel to pivot freely during turning and then requiring re-adjustment, the patent inverts the approach by using mechanical support to prevent pivoting in the first place. The mechanical support structure actively counteracts the turning forces that would otherwise cause the support wheel to move from its set position
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 simplifies the turning process and reduces construction effort, ensuring the support wheel maintains its preset operating position for subsequent plowing, with separate components for depth setting and pivoting movement, reducing wear and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
hydraulic cylinders, in order to be able to ensure the optimum working depth adjustment or guidance depending on the plow requirements
Implementation Method 2
the actuating element is mechanically supported in its set working depth guide in a plowing operating and thus plowing working position of a row of ploughshares
Data Source
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AI summary
The reversible plow (1) has a plow frame (3) for connection of the reversible plow with an agricultural tractor in a rotatable and swiveling manner. An adjusting element (14) of a support wheel (4) is supported on an actuation unit. The support wheel is hindered at an actuation movement in the set work depth guide by the actuation unit and the adjusting element. The support wheel together with the actuation element is automatically swiveled in the oppositely aligned stand-by operation position after releasing the actuation unit during the rotation of the plow frame.