Tillage Implement Gang Segmentation for Tongue Weight Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tillage implements require separate machines for seed bed preparation and residue management, and they often suffer from adverse tongue weight issues due to multiple ground-engaging tools, which complicates transportation and operation.
Innovation Solution
A tillage implement with a main frame supporting laterally extending coulter blades, wheels, harrow assemblies, and finishing reels, allowing for adjustable gang angles of coulter blades and positioning of wheels to optimize soil engagement and mixing, enabling both vertical tilling and aggressive soil displacement in a single unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different types of ground-engaging tools are incorporated onto a tillage implement to achieve desired mixing and leveling action, then the functionality and versatility of the implement is improved, but the tongue weight becomes adversely negative which complicates transportation and steering
Solution Approach 1:
The tillage implement is divided into multiple independent gangs, each carrying different types of ground-engaging tools (coulter blades, harrow elements, finishing reels). Each gang can be independently positioned and adjusted, allowing the implement to process different soil depths and textures simultaneously while distributing the weight load across multiple support points, thereby reducing adverse tongue weight effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces lateral positioning capability for each gang relative to the direction of travel, allowing tools to be arranged in multiple rows and depths. This three-dimensional arrangement (lateral position, depth, and longitudinal position) enables diverse soil processing functions while balancing the implement's weight distribution to minimize tongue weight issues during transportation and operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If laterally-extending gangs of coulter blades are disposed in straight-ahead, parallel alignment with the travel direction for seed bed preparation, then the seed bed preparation quality is improved, but the ability to displace soil laterally is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The gangs of coulter blades are made adjustable in their angular orientation relative to the direction of travel. They can be positioned in a straight-ahead, parallel alignment for precise seed bed preparation, or rotated to oblique angles for aggressive soil displacement. This dynamic reconfigurability allows the same implement to perform multiple functions depending on the agricultural task requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If gangs of coulter blades are oriented at oblique angles to the implements' direction of travel for significant soil displacement, then the soil displacement capability is improved, but the seed bed preparation quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The implement is segmented into multiple independent gangs that can be positioned at different angular orientations. Some gangs can be set at oblique angles for aggressive soil displacement and residue management, while other gangs maintain straight-ahead alignment for precise seed bed preparation. This segmentation allows simultaneous execution of multiple functions across different sections of the implement width.
Solution Approach 2:
Different gangs of the implement are assigned different angular orientations based on the specific function required in each lateral zone. The local quality of soil processing (aggressive displacement vs. gentle preparation) is optimized for each gang's position, allowing the implement as a whole to achieve both soil displacement and seed bed preparation capabilities.
4Productivity
If a single tillage implement performs both vertical tilling and aggressive soil displacement functions, then the versatility and productivity are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tillage implement is designed as a universal machine that can perform multiple functions including vertical tilling, aggressive soil displacement, residue management, and seed bed preparation. Each gang is equipped with adjustable ground-engaging tools that can be configured for different operations, eliminating the need for multiple separate implements and thereby improving productivity despite the increased structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The implement incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow operators to reconfigure the gangs and ground-engaging tools for different operational modes. This dynamic capability enables a single complex structure to adapt to various agricultural tasks, justifying the increased device complexity through enhanced versatility and reduced need for multiple separate implements.
Data Source
AI summary
A tillage implement comprising a main frame, a front group of coulter blades carried by the main frame and extending generally laterally, and a rear group of coulter blades carried by the main frame and extending generally laterally. The tillage implement additionally comprises a set of wheels configured to support the main frame and positioned generally between the front and rear groups of coulter blades. The tillage implement additionally comprises a group of harrow assemblies carried by the main frame and positioned rearward of the rear group of coulter blades. The tillage implement additionally comprises a front group of finishing reels carried by the main frame, extending generally laterally, and positioned rearward of the group of harrow assemblies. Furthermore, the tillage implement comprises a rear group of finishing reels carried by the main frame, extending generally laterally, and positioned rearward of the front group of finishing reels.