Agricultural Row Unit Supports with Alignment Pins

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Solution Overview

Problem

Changing row spacing on agricultural planters is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process, often resulting in damage to the implement and potential spacing errors due to the need to physically move and reposition row units.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a toolbar system with receivers, row unit supports, and alignment pins allows for easy adjustment of row unit positions by unlocking, lifting, and repositioning row unit supports, enabling faster and more precise changes in row spacing without damaging the equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If row units are physically moved along the toolbar to change row spacing, then the planter can be configured for different crops, but the process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverow spacing configurationVSAvoidtime to change row spacing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The row unit support is divided into a receiver portion that remains fixed to the toolbar and a row unit portion that can be independently removed and repositioned. This segmentation allows the row units to be quickly detached and moved to different receivers without moving the entire support structure, significantly reducing the time and labor required to change row spacing configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple receivers are pre-installed at different lateral positions along the toolbar at designated mounting locations. These receivers are prepared in advance with alignment features (notches and through-holes) that guide quick attachment. By having the receivers pre-positioned, the system eliminates the need for complex measurements and positioning during configuration changes, enabling rapid reconfiguration for different crop requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If row units are physically moved to adjust row spacing, then different crop configurations are achieved, but damage to the implement and row units can occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverow spacing configurationVSAvoidequipment damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the row unit support into a fixed receiver and a removable row unit portion, the design eliminates the need to move the entire heavy support structure along the toolbar. The row units can be independently detached and repositioned between pre-installed receivers, reducing mechanical stress and the risk of damage to both the row units and the toolbar during configuration changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver acts as an intermediary component that provides standardized attachment points (with notches and through-holes) for the row units. This intermediary structure with precise alignment features ensures that row units are attached at correct positions without forcing or misalignment, preventing damage to the implement and row units during configuration changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If row units are moved to change row spacing, then different crop spacings are achieved, but spacing errors can occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverow spacing configurationVSAvoidrow spacing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple receivers are pre-installed at exact, predetermined lateral positions along the toolbar, corresponding to standard row spacing requirements for different crops. This preliminary positioning with precise spacing ensures that when row units are attached to receivers, the correct row spacing is automatically achieved without requiring manual measurement or calculation, eliminating spacing errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver with its notch and through-hole structure serves as a precision intermediary that ensures accurate alignment and positioning of row units. The notched shaft and aligned through-holes provide mechanical guidance that guarantees row units are positioned at the correct lateral locations, preventing spacing errors during reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250098565A1Agricultural Implement Having Row Unit Supports and Alignment Pins, and Related Method of Configuring Such Implement

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 AGCO DO BRASIL SOLUCOES AGRI LTDA

AI summary

An agricultural implement (104) includes a toolbar (114), a plurality of receivers (202) fixed to the toolbar, a plurality of row unit supports, and a plurality of alignment pins (212). Each receiver defines a notch (302) and a through-hole (304), and each row unit support includes a shaft (306) and defines a through-hole (310). The through-hole of the row unit support is configured to align with the through-hole of a respective receiver when the shaft rests in the notch of the respective receiver. Each alignment pin is configured to lock a row unit support to the respective receiver when the through-holes are aligned and the shaft rests in the notch. Methods of configuring an implement (e.g., changing row unit spacing) are also disclosed.