Support Arm Geometry for Pull-Rope-Free Rotor Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing towed agricultural rakes require a pull rope to prevent rotors from being held in the headland position, which complicates user-friendliness by necessitating high tensile forces.
Innovation Solution
A support element with multiple support surfaces and displaceable elements that allow the rotor to be controlled between working, headland, and transport positions without the need for a pull rope, using a hydraulic actuator to manage the movement of the displaceable arms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pull rope is used to prevent the rotor from being held in the headland position, then the rotor can be moved into the transport position, but the user-friendliness is reduced and high tensile force is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the pull rope from the system by replacing it with a support element that has multiple support surfaces. The support element automatically allows or prevents the rotor from being held in the headland position through its mechanical design, without requiring any additional force application by the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element with multiple support surfaces automatically performs the function of controlling the rotor position. When the lifting arm is raised, the support element's geometry automatically prevents the rotor from being held in the headland position, eliminating the need for operator intervention with a pull rope.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a pull rope is used to control the rotor position, then the transport position can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support element with multiple support surfaces serves multiple functions: it supports the lifting arm, controls the rotor position, and eliminates the need for a separate pull rope mechanism. This multi-functional design reduces overall device complexity while maintaining position control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the function of the pull rope into the support element itself. The support element with its multiple support surfaces combines the structural support function with the position control function that previously required a separate pull rope mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If the rotor is completely raised for transport position, then the rake can be transported, but additional mechanisms like pull rope are needed which reduce ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the pull rope mechanism from the system and replaces it with a support element that automatically enables the rotor to be raised to the transport position without requiring additional force application or complex control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An implement having a frame for towing by an agricultural vehicle, a lifting arm pivotally connected toward a first end of the frame, a support arm pivotally connected at a first end to a second end of the arm, a working implement carried from a second end of the support arm, a support located between a first end of the lifting arm and the frame which has a working surface. The support element includes a main body with connected first and second support surfaces, a third support surface spaced from the first support surface, a first displaceable element with a contact surface and an opposed support surface, and located between the first and third support surfaces, and a second displaceable element with a first contact surface and an opposed support surface, and located between the second support surface and the third support surface.