Rear Folding Tool Bar Hitch Tongue Force Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural tool bar implements face challenges in efficiently transitioning from a field operating position to a transport position, where the weight distribution and hitch tongue forces complicate towing vehicle reconnection, often requiring careful prevention of upward hitch tongue movement and necessitating a jack placement that complicates the process.

Innovation Solution

A tool bar apparatus with an elongate center tool bar and center wheels that pivot to change the weight distribution from a downward to an upward force on the hitch tongue during transport, allowing the jack to be positioned adjacent to the hitch tongue for easier reconnection, and featuring wing tool bars that rotate upward and fold rearward for transport, ensuring a consistent downward force on the hitch tongue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the tool bars rotate to transport position with the rotational axis of the center tool bar located rearward of the center wheels, then the ground engaging tools are raised off the ground for transport, but an upward force is exerted on the hitch tongue making reconnection difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of reconnectionVSAvoidhitch tongue force direction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the rotational axis of the center tool bar forward of the center wheels instead of rearward. This inversion changes the leverage relationship during rotation, causing the weight of the ground engaging tools to produce a downward force on the hitch tongue during transport position, matching the normal operating condition and eliminating the need for special jack placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If the jack is mounted on a wing tool bar rearward of the rotational axis to support negative weight, then the hitch tongue upward movement is prevented, but the jack placement becomes complex and operation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehitch tongue stabilityVSAvoidjack placement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the need for a specially positioned jack by changing the fundamental rotational axis location. This eliminates the negative weight condition that requires complex jack placement on wing tool bars, allowing the jack to be mounted in a standard location adjacent to the hitch tongue where it can support normal downward weight without preventing upward movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the rotational axis of the center tool bar is located rearward of the rotational axis of the center wheels, then the tool bars can pivot to transport position, but the weight distribution creates upward force requiring special jack placement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport position capabilityVSAvoidreconnection ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the axial positioning relationship and placing the tool bar rotational axis forward of the wheel rotational axis, the patent maintains full transport position capability while inverting the force direction to be downward, thereby simplifying reconnection operations to match standard trailer behavior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 design simplifies the connection to a towing vehicle by maintaining a consistent downward force on the hitch tongue during transport, making the implement safer and easier to handle, similar to standard trailers, and reduces the risk of upward hitch tongue movement.

Implementation Method 1

the weight of the ground engaging tools exerts a downward force rearward of the center wheel such that an upward force is exerted on the hitch tongue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

An actuator on the hitch frame pivots the center tool bar, and through the pivoting attachment also pivots the right and left wing tool bars

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

the transport wheels are oriented to roll perpendicular to the operating travel direction, and as the hitch frame is towed forward, the wing tool bars pivot

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS9351437B2Rear folding tool bar implement

Publication Date: 2016.05.31 PILLAR LASERS

AI summary

A tool bar apparatus has an elongate tool bar having a longitudinal tool bar axis, and ground engaging tools fixed thereto. Wheels are rotatably fixed to the tool bar and roll about a rotational axis parallel to the tool bar. A hitch frame is pivotally attached at a rear end thereof to the tool bar about a hitch pivot axis parallel to the tool bar axis, and has a hitch tongue at a front end thereof. An actuator pivots the tool bar about the hitch pivot axis from an operating position, where the ground engaging tools extend rearward, to a transport position where the ground engaging tools extend upward from the tool bar. The wheels move rearward under the tool bar when the tool bar pivots from the operating position to the transport position such that a downward force is exerted on the hitch tongue when in the transport position.