Tillage Boom Folding via Hydraulic Height Coupling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing soil cultivation devices face challenges in reliably transitioning between working and transport positions, particularly with narrow row spacings, leading to potential collisions between tool carriers on the boom and base segment when folding.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic coupling control device is used to synchronize the movement of height guide devices on the base segment and tool carriers, automatically lowering them when moving from the working to the transport position, ensuring collision-free folding and maintaining tool carrier positions without impairing movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If tool carriers are arranged at short distances on the frame to accommodate narrow row spacings, then the working width and adaptability are improved, but collisions occur between tool carriers on the boom and base segment during folding
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling control device activates the height guide devices before the booms complete their folding motion, preemptively lowering tool carriers on the base segment to clear the path for incoming booms. This preliminary action prevents collision by ensuring proper spatial separation before the critical folding phase occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling control device continuously monitors the position of booms and tool carriers, using this feedback to dynamically adjust the lowering/raising actions of height guide devices. This closed-loop control ensures real-time coordination between boom folding and tool carrier positioning, preventing collisions while maintaining compact arrangement.
2Length of stationary object
If all tool carriers are raised using height control devices to generate ground clearance for transport, then ground clearance is improved, but tool carriers on the boom collide with tool carriers on the base segment
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of raising all tool carriers uniformly for transport, the system inverts the conventional approach by selectively lowering tool carriers on the base segment while raising tool carriers on the booms. This differential movement maintains necessary ground clearance while creating collision-free spatial separation during the folding operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling control device applies different height adjustment actions to different locations: tool carriers on the base segment are lowered while tool carriers on the booms are raised. This localized differential quality ensures that each group of tool carriers moves in the optimal direction to prevent collision while achieving transport configuration.
3Area of stationary object
If the frame is designed with base segment and booms to accommodate larger working widths, then the working width is improved, but the complexity of coordinating tool carrier positions during folding increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling control device merges the control functions of multiple height guide devices into a single coordinated system. By integrating control signals that simultaneously manage tool carriers on both the base segment and booms, the system reduces operational complexity despite the large working width requiring many tool carriers to be positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling control device serves multiple functions: it coordinates height adjustments for tool carriers on the base segment, coordinates height adjustments for tool carriers on the booms, and synchronizes these actions with the folding motion. This multi-functionality manages the complexity of large working width configurations through a single integrated control system.
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
This solution allows for safe and collision-free folding, enabling a working width of up to 6 meters and reducing lateral reach in the transport position, ensuring efficient soil cultivation and transport without tool carrier interference.
Implementation Method 1
the folding device and at least the height guide devices of tool carriers arranged on the base segment are coupled to one another by a preferably hydraulic coupling control device
Implementation Method 2
The folding device comprises one folding actuator per boom, which is preferably designed as a hydraulic cylinder
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A soil-working device (1) for row crops, comprising: a frame (2) which extends transversely with respect to the direction of travel (F) in a working position and which has a base segment (2A) and at least one boom (2B) which is able to be folded with respect to the base segment (2A); a folding device (3) for moving the at least one foldable boom (2B) between the working position and a transport position in which it is folded by at least approximately 90 degrees; and a plurality of tool carriers (6a-6i) which are arranged on the frame via in each case a remotely adjustable height-guiding device (7a-7i), wherein soil-working tools (9a) assigned to individual plant rows (8) are arranged on the tool carriers (6a-6i). To provide a soil-working device which can be moved reliably between the working position and the transport position, there is provision that the folding device (3) and at least the height-guiding devices (7d-7f) of tool carriers (6d-6f) arranged on the base segment (2A) are coupled to one another by means of a, preferably hydraulic, coupling control device in such a way that, for each movement of a boom (2B) from the working position into the transport position, the height-guiding devices (7d-7f) of tool carriers (6d-6f) arranged on the base segment (2A) move the tool carriers (6d-6f) into a position in which they are lowered relative to the frame (2).