Agricultural Toolbar Wing Flex Lock via Hydraulic Cylinder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding tool bar wings tend to flex during transport, causing middle wheels to contact the ground and potentially leading to damage, and existing designs lack a reliable method to lock the mid-pivot joint against flexing in the transport position.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic cylinder with an extendable and retractable arm is used to lock the flex joint between the inner and outer wing sections, allowing flexibility in the field position and rigidity in the transport position, controlled remotely from the tractor cab, with an adjustment mechanism to compensate for wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the wing sections are allowed to flex in the field position to follow ground contours, then the adaptability to terrain is improved, but the stability during transport deteriorates as the wing may sag and cause wheel contact damage
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic cylinder provides dynamic control of the flex joint, allowing the wing to transition between flexible (field position) and rigid (transport position) states. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling the wing to adapt to terrain when needed while maintaining stability during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the rigidity parameter of the wing structure by extending or retracting the hydraulic cylinder. In field position, the cylinder is retracted allowing flexing; in transport position, the cylinder is extended to lock the joint rigid, thus resolving the contradiction through parameter transformation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a lock mechanism is added to prevent wing flexing during transport, then the stability during transport is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a hydraulic cylinder as the lock mechanism, which provides powerful locking force with a compact design. This resolves the contradiction by delivering effective stabilization without requiring complex mechanical locking systems, as the hydraulic actuator integrates both locking and positioning functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic cylinder serves multiple functions: it acts as both a lock mechanism to prevent flexing during transport and as a positioning system to maintain proper wing alignment. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by consolidating multiple functions into a single component.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the hydraulic cylinder is extended to lock the flex joint, then the stability during transport is improved, but the flexibility to follow ground contours deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the state of the flex joint by extending or retracting the hydraulic cylinder based on operational requirements. When extended, the joint is locked rigid for transport; when retracted, the joint is free to flex for field operations, thus resolving the contradiction through dynamic state transformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic cylinder is periodically extended and retracted to switch between transport mode (locked, rigid) and field mode (unlocked, flexible). This periodic action allows the system to alternate between the two contradictory states as needed, resolving the contradiction through time-based state switching.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple joints are added to allow wing flexing in field position, then the adaptability to terrain is improved, but the device complexity and potential failure points increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential flexing function from multiple complex joints and consolidates it into a single controlled flex joint. By using the hydraulic cylinder to enable or disable flexing at one primary joint, the system achieves terrain adaptability without requiring multiple intermediate joints, thus reducing complexity while maintaining the desired adaptability.
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
Prevents wing flexing during transport, ensuring the tool bar remains stable and preventing wheel damage, while allowing flexibility to follow ground contours in use positions.
Implementation Method 1
A further object of the present invention is the provision of a hydraulic cylinder which is extended and retracted to lock and unlock a flex joint on an agricultural tool bar wing
Data Source
AI summary
A horizontally foldable toolbar includes opposite wings having flex joints which can be selectively locked to prevent flexing of the joints when the wings are in a transport position and unlocked to permit flexing of the joints when the wings are in a field position. The lock assembly includes a hydraulic cylinder with an extendable and retractable arm. Operation of the hydraulic cylinder can be controlled by an operator remotely, such as from a tractor cab. The stroke of the hydraulic cylinder can be adjusted to accommodate wear on the wing components.