Agricultural Swathing Machine Side Arm Folding Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural machines for grouping windrows face stability issues during transport due to increased height and altered center of gravity when side gathering and windrowing devices are folded upward, leading to potential overturning on uneven terrain.
Innovation Solution
The side gathering and windrowing devices are articulated on a vertical axis to fold at 90° for transport, reducing the machine's width and maintaining a low center of gravity, with immobilization mechanisms using hydraulic cylinders and levers to secure them in place, ensuring stability during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If side gathering and windrowing devices are folded upward for transport, then the width of the machine is reduced, but the height is considerably increased
Solution Approach 1:
The support arms are articulated on a vertical axis instead of a horizontal axis, changing the folding motion from vertical to horizontal plane. This allows the side devices to be folded forward in a horizontal plane rather than upward, reducing both width and height in the transport position while maintaining compactness.
2Length of moving object
If side gathering and windrowing devices are folded upward for transport, then the width of the machine is reduced, but the center of gravity is increased from ground level
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the articulation axis from horizontal to vertical, the folding motion occurs in a horizontal plane rather than vertically upward. This keeps the center of gravity low and close to the ground, maintaining machine stability during transport while still achieving reduced width.
3Length of moving object
If side gathering and windrowing devices are folded upward for transport, then the width of the machine is reduced, but the machine risks overturning on uneven terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal plane folding motion keeps the center of gravity low and stable, reducing the risk of overturning on uneven terrain. The support arms fold forward horizontally rather than upward, maintaining a lower profile that is less susceptible to tipping on rough ground.
4Length of moving object
If side gathering and windrowing devices are folded upward for transport, then the width of the machine is reduced, but rearward visibility is hampered
Solution Approach 1:
By folding the support arms horizontally forward rather than vertically upward, the machine maintains a lower profile that does not obstruct the operator's rearward visibility. The horizontal folding position allows better line of sight compared to the vertical folding position.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural machine for grouping windrows together or for windrowing products lying on the ground includes a main frame supporting a central gathering and windrowing device and two side gathering and windrowing devices connected to support arms that extend laterally during work. Each of the side support arms is articulated relative to the main frame on a substantially vertical axis about which it is foldable at an angle of approximately 90° for transport and each of the side gathering and windrowing devices is articulated on its support arm around a substantially horizontal axis about which it is foldable upwards at an angle of approximately 90° to obtain a reduced machine width for transport.