Two-Part Articulation Arm for Side Mower Obstacle Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side mowers face complexities in articulation, ease of use, and occupational safety during coupling and decoupling from the carrier vehicle, with challenges in adapting to varying ground conditions and overcoming obstacles like boundary stones or sewer covers.
Innovation Solution
The side mower's extension arm is designed in two parts with a rotary joint, allowing for adjustable articulation and a hydraulic system with a prestressed hydropneumatic accumulator for ground contact pressure relief, enabling the cutter bar to lift off the ground during collisions and simplifying the control process with a single directional valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the extension arm is designed as a single rigid piece, then the structure is simpler, but the ability to adapt to uneven terrain and overcome obstacles is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The extension arm is divided into multiple segments (first extension element and second extension element) connected by a rotary joint, allowing each segment to move independently to adapt to terrain variations while maintaining overall structural integrity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the extension arm is designed with multiple parts and rotary joints, then the adaptability to terrain improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extension arm incorporates a rotary joint that allows dynamic adjustment of the angle between extension elements, enabling the structure to adapt its configuration based on terrain conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall design
3Productivity
If the cutter bar is kept close to the ground for efficient mowing, then mowing performance improves, but the risk of collision damage with obstacles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydropneumatic accumulator pre-charges the hydraulic system with energy that can be immediately deployed to lift the cutter bar when collision is detected, preventing damage before it occurs by counteracting the collision force
Solution Approach 2:
The hydropneumatic accumulator acts as a cushioning element that absorbs and dissipates collision energy, protecting the cutter bar from damage while allowing it to maintain low ground clearance for efficient mowing
4Reliability
If complex hydraulic systems are used for ground contact pressure relief, then the pressure relief effectiveness improves, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A hydropneumatic accumulator is used to provide ground contact pressure relief through hydraulic means, offering reliable and adjustable pressure control while maintaining relatively simple system architecture compared to alternative complex hydraulic solutions
5Ease of operation
If multiple control valves are used for complex movement sequences, then the control precision improves, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control functions are merged into a single directional control valve that can manage the complex movement sequences of the extension arm and cutter bar, simplifying operation while maintaining precise control through the valve's inherent positioning capabilities
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 enhances the mower's ability to adapt to uneven terrain, reduces the risk of damage from obstacles, and improves operational safety and ease of use by simplifying the control and movement sequences, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and reducing force-related issues during coupling and decoupling.
Implementation Method 1
a second movable extension element which is connected in a second rotary joint to the first movable extension element, by which a ground contact pressure relief is carried out which is pressurized by a prestressed hydropneumatic pressure accumulator
Implementation Method 2
between the cutter bar there is at least a first and a second movable extension element as part of the extension arm, which are connected to one another in a rotary joint relative to one another
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~2a
Figure 3
AI summary
The mowing implement is for attachment to the lift boom arm (5)of a tractor. The lift boom arm is in two sections (6,7), one (6) forming a lifting lever connecting the support (4) and the second boom section. The lifting lever can be orthogonal with a first double linkage pivotable around a first axis and a second lever movable around a second axis (11).