Segmented Support Arm for Adjustable Rake Width
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rake combinations are cumbersome and difficult to maneuver due to their long and heavy support beams, which hinder the ability to adjust the maximum working width and complicate transport, especially when navigating curves and obstacles.
Innovation Solution
The support arm is subdivided into inner and outer sections with a knee joint, allowing for adjustable working widths without altering the central rake, enabling easy transition to a raised headland position and transport position, with hydraulic actuators controlling the arm sections for efficient width adjustments and obstacle bypassing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the support beam is made long to accommodate belt rakes at maximum working width, then the working width is increased, but the maneuverability and transportability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is divided into an inner support arm section and an outer support arm section that can pivot relative to each other. This segmentation allows the belt rake to be repositioned along the support beam without requiring a longer support beam, thereby maintaining maneuverability while achieving maximum working width when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm configuration is made dynamic through the pivotable outer support arm section, which can adjust its position relative to the inner support arm section. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt between compact transport configuration and extended working configuration, resolving the contradiction between fixed working width and maneuverability.
2Area of moving object
If the support beam is made long to position belt rakes at maximum working width, then the working width is increased, but the weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the support arm into inner and outer sections with a pivot joint, the system achieves variable working width without requiring a proportionally longer support beam. The outer section can be positioned at different locations along the inner section, allowing flexible width adjustment without increasing the fundamental beam length and associated complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable outer support arm section serves multiple functions: it enables working width adjustment, facilitates transport positioning, and allows headland operation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanisms for each operation mode, reducing overall device complexity while achieving variable working width.
3Area of moving object
If the belt rakes are positioned far from the central rake, then the working width is increased, but the stress on the support beam increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic pivotable outer support arm section allows the belt rake to be repositioned closer to the central rake when not at maximum working width. This dynamic adjustment reduces the lever arm and associated stress on the support beam during transport and headland operations, while still enabling full working width when needed for field work.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The combination (K) has a support bar (1) oriented in a driving direction (A). Front left and right external belt rakes (B) are arranged behind a central windrower (M) with left and right windrower spinners (7). Front support arms (12) exhibit internal and external support arm sections (13, 14) that are breakable relative to each other by a knee joint with joint axis (17), where the joint axis is oriented in the driving direction. Each belt rake is jointed to one of the support arm sections and shifted transverse to the driving direction by the front support arms in a floor parallel manner.