C-Shaped Sway Restrictor Bracket for Tractor Draft Link
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Solution Overview
Problem
Three-point hitches in work machines, such as tractors, allow excessive sideward movement, leading to swaying issues that make it difficult to maintain precise positioning of tools or implements, especially when working near boundaries or edges, and existing solutions either require multiple blocks or complex, large, and costly systems to restrict sway in both directions.
Innovation Solution
A compact, C-shaped bracket with wear pads and an adjusting element is mounted between a draft link and a structural element of a work machine, allowing vertical movement while restricting sideward movement, thus preventing sway and facilitating precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If blocks are mounted on draft links to prevent sway in one direction, then swaying is restricted in that direction, but additional blocks are required on both draft links to prevent swaying in both directions, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sway restriction function into a single bracket assembly that attaches to one draft link, rather than requiring separate blocks on both draft links. The bracket includes a first leg that engages with the draft link and a second leg that engages with the work machine frame, creating a unified structure that restricts sway in both directions through one component system.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket assembly serves multiple functions: it restricts sideward sway in both directions, allows vertical movement of the draft link, and facilitates sideward tilting of the hitch. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate blocks on both draft links while maintaining comprehensive sway control.
2Measurement precision
If blocks are used to restrict sway, then positioning precision is improved, but the ability to accommodate sideward tilting movement is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to adapt to different movement requirements. The first and second legs are positioned and dimensioned to restrict sway within a vertical plane while allowing movement in a horizontal plane. This dynamic design enables the bracket to maintain positioning precision during vertical movement while accommodating sideward tilting when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket provides different degrees of freedom at different locations and orientations. The engagement points on the draft link and work machine frame are positioned to create a constraint pattern that restricts sway in the vertical plane but maintains freedom of movement in the horizontal plane, allowing local differentiation between sway restriction and tilting accommodation.
3Reliability
If single arms and struts are used to provide bi-directional limitation of movements, then sway is restricted in both directions, but the system becomes complex, large, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple arms and struts into a single bracket assembly. The bracket includes a first leg that attaches to the draft link and a second leg that attaches to the work machine frame, creating one integrated structure that provides bi-directional sway limitation without requiring multiple separate pivotal connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket is segmented into distinct functional elements: the first leg for draft link engagement, the second leg for frame engagement, and the connecting structure that provides sway limitation. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity compared to multi-component systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The sway restrictor includes a bracket attachable between the draft link or arm and an adjacent upwardly and downwardly extending structural element of a work machine, and is operable for substantially restricting or preventing relative sideward movement therebetween, particularly swaying of the hitch, while allowing relative upward and downward movements thereof, including tilting movements.