Agricultural Stacker Tool Bar Hydraulic Folding Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional agricultural tool bars with folding wings face issues such as excessive space usage by hydraulic cylinders, lack of mechanical advantage, and increased maintenance due to draft twist, along with limited control over wing movements, which hinder efficient planting and transportation.
Innovation Solution
The tool bar employs a configuration with hydraulic cylinders positioned to maximize space and provide mechanical advantage, featuring a male-female coupling for accurate positioning, hydraulic flex cylinders for ground contour adaptation, and radio-controlled functions for efficient folding and unfolding, minimizing wear and interference during planting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional hydraulic cylinders are used to pull wings from use position to transport position, then the wings can be moved, but heavier duty cylinders with greater lift capacity are required and valuable space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional pulling action by using hydraulic cylinders to push the wings upward during folding. The cylinders are positioned to push the fold arms and wings from a downward inclined position toward the horizontal transport position, converting a pulling operation into a pushing operation that utilizes the cylinders' superior pushing capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orientation and positioning of the hydraulic cylinders from a conventional horizontal arrangement to an angled configuration beneath the fold arms. This dimensional repositioning allows the cylinders to exploit mechanical advantage through their push action, reducing the required cylinder capacity while maintaining operational effectiveness
2Device complexity
If hydraulic cylinders are positioned conventionally, then the system is simple, but valuable space on the tool bar is not maximized and mechanical advantage is not gained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the hydraulic cylinders from conventional horizontal locations to angled positions beneath the fold arms, utilizing vertical and angular space that would otherwise be unused. This dimensional repositioning maximizes the usable space on the tool bar while improving mechanical advantage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs adjustable cylinder positioning mechanisms that allow the hydraulic cylinders to be positioned optimally for different operating conditions. This dynamic positioning capability enables the system to adapt to varying space requirements while maintaining mechanical advantage throughout the wing folding range
3Adaptability or versatility
If wings are allowed to float to follow uneven ground, then ground contour adaptation is achieved, but no control exists to fix or raise wings without actuating primary fold cylinders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wing support function into two independent systems: primary fold cylinders for major folding operations and secondary support cylinders for ground contour adaptation and wing level control. This segmentation allows independent control of floating functionality and positioning, enabling the wings to follow ground contours while maintaining the ability to be fixed or raised without actuating the primary fold cylinders
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces secondary support cylinders as intermediary devices between the wings and the ground. These cylinders act as mediators that provide ground contour adaptation while independently controlling wing level and position, separating this function from the primary fold cylinders and enabling finer operational control
4Productivity
If planting speed is increased, then productivity improves, but excessive draft twist damages components requiring maintenance downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically adjustable wing positioning systems with secondary support cylinders that can adapt to varying draft forces in real-time. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to maintain optimal component loading even at high planting speeds, preventing excessive draft twist and associated damage while sustaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through the secondary support cylinders that monitor and respond to draft forces acting on the wings. This feedback system allows real-time adjustment of wing position and support forces, preventing excessive draft twist that would occur at high planting speeds and thereby protecting components from damage while maintaining high productivity
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 configuration reduces maintenance, enhances planting speed, and allows for remote control of wing movements, improving operational efficiency and reducing downtime by optimizing hydraulic cylinder usage and providing precise positioning and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
A first set of hydraulic cylinders are connected between the central frame, the folding arms and beneath the folding arms. A second set of hydraulic cylinders extend between the folding arms and the wings.
Implementation Method 2
The wings are connected to the central frame by left and right folding arms. A first set of hydraulic cylinders are connected between the central frame in the folding arms and reside beneath the folding arms.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural tool bar has outer wings foldable between a lowered use or field position and a raised transport position. A primary pair of hydraulic cylinders fold and unfold the wings, while a secondary pair of hydraulic cylinders initially incline the wings from the horizontal use position before folding to the transport position. The secondary set of cylinders allow the tool bar to be used for narrow row planting without interference from seed boxes mounted on the toolbar center frame and the wings. The primary cylinders extend to push the wings to the transport position and retract to pull the wings to the use position.