Tilted Hinge Toolbar Reduces Transport Width
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural implements face instability and increased payload limitations due to rear weight bias when operating on uneven surfaces, requiring lockdown pins and resulting in inefficient operation and transportation due to large widths and heights.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of tilted hinges in the toolbar system reduces the need for lockdown pins by providing an additional downward force component through draft load, allowing the toolbars to articulate without contact and minimizing cross-sectional area, enabling more efficient operation and transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional horizontal hinges are used to connect articulating toolbars, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the implement requires lockdown pins to prevent unintended motion and experiences instability on uneven surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge pivot axis is tilted at an angle (e.g., 15-30 degrees) relative to the horizontal plane, changing the geometric parameter of the hinge connection. This tilt allows the draft load to generate a downward force component that stabilizes the toolbar in the extended position, eliminating the need for lockdown pins while maintaining reliability
2Productivity
If articulating toolbars are extended outwardly parallel to the ground for field work, then the working width is maximized for efficient field operation, but the width and height increase significantly for transportation and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge pivot axis is oriented at an angle to the horizontal plane, introducing a vertical dimension to the articulation motion. This allows the toolbars to fold upward and inward during transport rather than simply horizontal folding, reducing the cross-sectional area (width and height) while maintaining full working width during field operation
3Productivity
If the toolbar is positioned on the back of the tractor to maximize working width, then the implement can cover more ground, but rear weight bias increases causing instability and reducing maximum payload
Solution Approach 1:
The tilted hinge configuration allows the articulating toolbars to fold upward and inward during transport, moving mass closer to the tractor and reducing the rearward weight bias. This dimensional change in the folding path helps maintain tractor stability and payload capacity while still achieving maximum working width during field operation
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 enhances stability and reduces the need for lockdown pins, allowing tractors to handle larger toolbar spans, cover more acres with fewer passes, and decrease fuel and labor costs by minimizing the implement's width and height in transport positions.
Implementation Method 1
The tilted hinges provide an additional downward force component due to the draft load acting upon the toolbars
Data Source
AI summary
A system of folding toolbars on an agricultural implement having a base toolbar, two articulating toolbars, multiple attachments to the toolbar, and a pair of hinges, with each toolbar connected to attachments. The base toolbar is located orthogonally to the direction of travel of the agricultural implement and connected to a hinge at each end, the hinges are each further connected to an articulating toolbar. Each of the toolbars is connected to a set of attachments. Each articulating toolbar rotates about the base on a pivot axis along the direction of travel of the agricultural implement and tilted relative to the ground plane, such that the center of gravity (CG) moves forward in the transport position and a normal force is applied to the articulating toolbars to resist vertical movement when in field position.