Work Vehicle Suspension Hitch Mitigates Vertical Force Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hitch assemblies struggle to effectively mitigate vertical movements and imbalances between work vehicles and implements when traversing uneven terrain, leading to unnecessary wear and stress, and existing solutions often increase weight, complexity, and cost.
Innovation Solution
A hitch assembly with a vehicle connection interface and a rotary cutter connection interface, featuring mounting plates, pivot plates, and suspension elements that absorb and mitigate force transfer between the vehicle and the implement, allowing for relative vertical movement without transferring forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hitch assemblies are used to couple implements to work vehicles, then the structure remains simple and lightweight, but vertical movements and forces between the vehicle and implement cannot be effectively mitigated, leading to increased wear and stress
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch assembly is divided into separate functional components: mounting plates that attach to the vehicle and implement, pivot plates that enable relative movement, and suspension elements that absorb forces. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension elements change their mechanical parameters (spring constant, damping characteristics) to optimize force absorption. The pivot plates change their angular position dynamically to accommodate vertical movements, transforming the rigid connection into a flexible one that adapts to terrain variations
2Reliability
If suspension elements are added to mitigate force transfer, then vertical force mitigation improves, but the weight of the hitch assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch assembly transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic system where pivot plates can rotate and suspension elements can compress and extend. This dynamic capability allows the system to absorb vertical forces through motion rather than requiring heavy rigid structures, mitigating force transfer while controlling weight increase
3Reliability
If pivot plates are coupled to mounting plates to allow relative vertical movement, then force transfer is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional requirements are merged into single components. The mounting plates serve both as attachment points and as structural supports. The pivot plates combine the functions of enabling vertical movement, reducing force transfer, and maintaining geometric relationships between vehicle and implement. This merging reduces the number of separate parts needed
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 hitch assembly reduces vertical forces and oscillations between the work vehicle and the implement, enhancing the implement's performance, stability, and durability by absorbing kinetic energy and maintaining a consistent cutting height, as demonstrated by a 30% reduction in amplitude of vertical movement.
Implementation Method 1
A suspension element coupled between the mounting plate and the pivot plate mitigates force transfer between the vehicle connection interface and the rotary cutter connection interface
Data Source
AI summary
A hitch assembly includes a vehicle connection interface and a rotary cutter connection interface. A mounting plate extends between the vehicle connection interface and the rotary cutter connection interface. A pivot plate is pivotally coupled to the mounting plate. A suspension element coupled between the pivot and mounting plates mitigates force transfer between the connection interfaces resulting from the relative movement of the connection interfaces.