Rotating Coupling Arm for Compact Agricultural Machinery Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling devices for towed agricultural machinery are bulky, making them difficult to transport and store, and complex folding mechanisms increase production costs and require heavy actuators.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device with a rotating connecting arm and stabilizing means that allows for compact configuration by rotating about multiple axes, enabling easy assembly and disassembly, and includes a power transmission unit for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rigid connecting arm with intermediate member is used to ensure tractor mobility during manoeuvres, then the coupling device provides sufficient mobility for end-of-field operations, but the longitudinal bulk becomes excessively high during transport and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting arm is designed to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis, transforming it from a static rigid structure to a dynamic element that can change orientation. This allows the connecting arm to maintain its structural integrity and mobility function while reducing its effective longitudinal bulk when rotated to a horizontal or angled position during transport
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds rotational freedom about the longitudinal axis, introducing a new degree of freedom in the third dimension. This allows the coupling device to transition between vertical operational configuration and horizontal/angled transport configuration, effectively reducing longitudinal bulk without compromising operational mobility
2Volume of moving object
If the frame is folded towards the drawbar to reduce overall bulk, then the machine becomes more compact for transport, but the construction becomes complex and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the bulk-reduction function from complex folding mechanisms and actuators, isolating it to a simple rotational degree of freedom of the connecting arm. This separates the essential bulk-reduction capability from the unnecessary complexity of frame folding systems
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of folding the frame towards the drawbar, the invention rotates the connecting arm about its longitudinal axis. This inverted approach achieves bulk reduction by changing the orientation of the connecting arm itself rather than folding the entire frame structure
3Volume of moving object
If actuators are provided to enable frame folding, then the machine can be compacted for transport, but the weight and production costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting arm's rotational capability about its longitudinal axis is designed to be inherently self-sufficient, utilizing the existing structural properties of the arm itself. No external actuators are needed as the rotation can be achieved through the coupling mechanism's own design, making the system self-service for the bulk-reduction function
Solution Approach 2:
The invention discards the need for heavy actuators and complex folding mechanisms entirely, recovering only the essential bulk-reduction function through the simple rotational capability of the connecting arm. This eliminates unnecessary weight while preserving the core functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A device for coupling towed agricultural machines comprising a fastener for fastening to a frame of the machine, a connecting arm extending substantially longitudinally away from the frame of the agricultural machine, and a coupling head comprising coupling mechanism. The coupling head allows said connecting arm to rotate relative to the towing apparatus about a first axis of rotation which is substantially perpendicular to an operating surface of the agricultural machine. The connecting arm is rotatably connected to the fastener about a second axis of rotation, and further comprises reversible locking mechanism for locking the rotation of the connecting arm.