Sod Positioning Machine Lateral Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sod placement machines struggle to efficiently and effectively close gaps between sod strips without causing ruts and unevenness in the ground, as they require manual labor or vehicle traction, which can damage the ground and necessitate additional preparation work.
Innovation Solution
A sod positioning apparatus with a stationary frame and a laterally sliding frame, equipped with hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders and a pushing plate, that allows for the lateral adjustment of sod strips to minimize gaps and increase sod density, while avoiding reorientation of the vehicle, thus reducing ground damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If vehicle traction force is used to push sod strips, then sod strips can be positioned tightly against adjacent strips, but ruts and unevenness are created in the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of vehicle tires creating ruts is extracted and removed from the system. Instead of using vehicle traction, a separate pushing apparatus is used that applies force through a pushing plate, eliminating ground damage while maintaining seam tightness.
Solution Approach 2:
A pushing plate acts as an intermediary between the positioning mechanism and the sod strip. This intermediary transfers the pushing force without the harmful side effects of tire contact, allowing tight seam positioning without ground damage.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual labor is used to push sod strips, then seam gaps can be closed, but labor intensity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pushing apparatus is self-operating through hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders that automatically extend and retract. The system serves itself by using the vehicle's own power source to operate the positioning mechanism, eliminating manual labor while maintaining seam tightness.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical pushing is replaced with a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder system. This substitution provides automated, consistent force application that improves efficiency while achieving the same seam tightness as manual labor.
3Manufacturing precision
If vehicle constantly reorients between strips, then positioning accuracy improves, but ground damage and operation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning function is segmented from the vehicle's primary movement function. The pushing apparatus can operate independently in the lateral direction while the vehicle moves forward, allowing simultaneous positioning and advancement without reorientation delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning action is moved to a different dimension - lateral movement of the pushing plate perpendicular to the vehicle's forward motion. This allows alignment adjustment without changing the vehicle's orientation, eliminating reorientation time while maintaining alignment precision.
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
The apparatus efficiently tightens seams between sod strips, increases sod density, and prevents buckling during compression, allowing for more efficient sod laying with minimal disruption to the ground surface.
Implementation Method 1
A pair of hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders are arranged to pivot the frames up or down
Implementation Method 2
A pair of hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders are arranged to pivot the frames up or down
Implementation Method 3
The sliding beams mount a pushing plate that abuts the sod strip during a pushing operation
Implementation Method 4
by laterally pressing the sod strip using the apparatus of the invention, the sod strip is compressed and the density of sod increases
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for a vehicle used for positioning sod strips includes a structure for mounting on the vehicle frame and a pushing plate slidably mounted to the structure. The pushing plate is arranged to be abuttable to an edge of a sod strip. A pair of cylinders are operatively mounted between the structure and the pushing plate to slide the pushing plate away from the structure to laterally shift a sod strip to tighten up seams between adjacent sod strips. The pushing plate slides in a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the straight ahead driving direction of the vehicle.