Selectively Moveable Primary Tillage Shank for Localized Soil Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tillage methods are inefficient for performing primary tillage operations in localized areas with poor drainage or water accumulation, as they require a separate primary tillage apparatus, which is not cost-effective for entire field conservation tillage and seed bed preparation.
Innovation Solution
A tillage apparatus with selectively moveable primary tillage shanks that can be lowered for soil engagement or raised for disengagement, allowing for flexible operation between primary and secondary tillage modes, enabling on-the-fly adjustments based on field conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate primary tillage apparatus is brought in to perform primary tillage operations on localized areas with poor drainage, then the soil in these areas can be properly loosened, but the cost and time efficiency decreases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines primary tillage shanks with secondary tillage tools into a single integrated apparatus. The primary tillage shanks are mounted on the same frame as secondary tillage tools, allowing both functions to be performed by one piece of equipment rather than requiring separate apparatuses for each tillage type.
Solution Approach 2:
The primary tillage shanks are made selectively moveable between a lowered soil engaging position and a raised disengaged position. This dynamic capability allows the operator to engage primary tillage shanks only when and where needed (in localized areas with poor drainage) rather than using them across the entire field, optimizing both effectiveness and efficiency.
2Productivity
If a single apparatus is equipped to perform both primary and secondary tillage, then equipment costs and time are reduced, but the complexity of the apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is segmented into distinct functional components: primary tillage shanks that can be selectively engaged, and secondary tillage tools that remain continuously engaged. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while being part of a unified system, managing complexity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The single apparatus is designed to perform multiple tillage functions (both primary and secondary tillage) through its multi-functional design. The frame structure supports both primary tillage shanks and secondary tillage tools, making the apparatus universally applicable to different tillage needs without requiring multiple specialized machines.
3Productivity
If primary tillage shanks are always lowered for soil engagement, then primary tillage operations can be performed continuously, but the flexibility to switch between primary and secondary tillage modes is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The primary tillage shanks are designed with selective moveability, allowing them to be dynamically positioned in either a lowered soil engaging state or a raised disengaged state. This dynamic design provides operational flexibility, enabling the operator to switch between primary and secondary tillage modes as needed while maintaining the ability to perform continuous tillage operations when required.
Data Source
AI summary
A tillage apparatus for selective primary tillage and seed bed preparation makes use of a selectively moveable primary tillage shank to provide seasonal, in-field and/or on-the-fly flexibility of tillage operation. The tillage apparatus has a cultivator frame, at least one secondary tillage tool mounted on the frame and a primary tillage shank mounted on the frame, the primary tillage shank selectively moveable between a lowered soil engaging position and a raised disengaged position. In a method of tilling or preparing a seed bed, the tillage apparatus is dragged around a field with the at least one secondary tillage tool engaged with the field when secondary tillage of the field is desired, and the selectively moveable primary tillage shank lowered to be engaged with the field when the field is in need of primary tillage or raised to be disengaged from the field when primary tillage is not desired.