Tedding Machine Transport Width Reduction via Vertical Pivot

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tedding machines are relatively wide in their transport position, limiting the use of wider plant-processing members due to increased width, which affects stability and compactness during transport.

Innovation Solution

The tedding machine design features a common frame with two groups of plant-processing members that pivot forward from the operating position to a folded-up position, using a vertical pivot pin connected to a horizontal central frame beam, allowing all members to be placed on the sides of the frame in the transport position, reducing width and increasing stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the plant-processing members are arranged in three groups with a central group remaining at the rear of the frame in the transport position, then the machine maintains structural stability, but the width of the machine in the transport position is relatively large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidwidth in transport position
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The machine is divided into two main groups of plant-processing members instead of three, with each group mounted on respective sides of the common frame. This segmentation allows both groups to be pivoted forward to the folded-up position during transport, eliminating the need for a central group that would increase width while maintaining structural stability through the side-mounted configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plant-processing members are arranged in a line at right angles to the direction of travel in the operating position, allowing them to be pivoted forward to a folded-up position. This dimensional reconfiguration enables the members to be placed on the sides of the frame rather than having a central group extend the width, reducing the transport width while maintaining operational effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If wider plant-processing members are used to improve processing capability, then the tedding efficiency increases, but the width of the machine in the transport position increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetedding efficiencyVSAvoidwidth in transport position
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The plant-processing members are designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, pivoting from an operating position where they are in a line at right angles to the direction of travel to a folded-up position for transport. This dynamic capability allows wider members to be used for improved tedding efficiency while they fold forward during transport, preventing an increase in machine width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration of the plant-processing members changes between operating and transport states. In the operating position, members are arranged to maximize processing width and efficiency. In the transport position, the entire group pivots forward about a vertical pivot pin, changing the spatial parameters so that wider members no longer increase the machine's transport width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If the plant-processing members are arranged in a line at right angles to the direction of travel, then the tedding coverage is maximized, but the machine width in transport position increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetedding coverageVSAvoidwidth in transport position
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The plant-processing members are arranged in a line at right angles to the direction of travel to maximize tedding coverage during operation. The vertical pivot pin enables the entire group to pivot forward about a vertical axis, transitioning from a width-extending configuration to a compact folded-up position, thereby maximizing coverage during operation without increasing transport width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Length of moving object

If a vertical pivot pin is used to pivot the plant-processing members forward, then the machine width in transport position is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewidth in transport positionVSAvoidpivoting mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vertical pivot pin serves multiple functions: it acts as the rotation axis for the plant-processing members during operation, enables the folding motion to reduce width during transport, and provides a stable mounting point for the group on the common frame. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional complex mechanisms while achieving width reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2908615B2Tedding machine for plants lying on the ground
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 FORAGE CO BV
  • EP2908615B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2908615B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2908615B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a tedding machine comprising a frame (2) and two groups (18, 19) of plant-processing members (20) attached to the frame and a work frame (40), wherein the work frame comprises a carrying shaft (34) and is configured to move the groups from an operating position to a folded-up position, wherein the tedding machine can be brought to a transport position in which each group is mounted to the frame so as to be pivotable from an operating position to a folded-up position, and wherein the work frame comprises a pivoting device with a respective vertical pivot pin (35), in such a way that the groups can be brought from the folded- up position to the transport position by pivoting about the vertical shaft, and wherein the vertical shaft is connected to the horizontal carrying shaft and is situated between the upward rotation shaft of the inner plant-processing member of a group and the centre line of the frame.