Folding Toolbar Wing Linkage Reduces Tongue Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural implements face challenges in reducing the length of the tongue between the hitch and transport wheel axles during transport, especially as the width of the toolbar increases, making it difficult to comply with road regulations and requiring longer distances between the hitch and axle, which affects stability and ease of movement.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a design with additional joints in the wing sections that allow for forward rotation and rearward translational movement, reducing the tongue length by pivoting the outer wings to be parallel with the tongue, thereby shortening the distance between the hitch and axles, and incorporating linkages and actuators to facilitate this configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the width of the toolbar is increased to position more row units, then the number of row units increases, but the length of the tongue between the hitch and transport wheel axles increases, making it difficult to comply with road regulations
Solution Approach 1:
The toolbar is divided into multiple wing sections (first wing section, second wing section, third wing section) that can be independently folded and positioned. This segmentation allows the toolbar to maintain a wide configuration for multiple row units while enabling the wings to be folded inward during transport to reduce the effective tongue length.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing sections are made dynamically configurable between different positions (extended for work, folded for transport) through folding mechanisms and linkages. This dynamic capability allows the implement to adapt its configuration based on whether it is in work mode or transport mode, resolving the contradiction between width for row units and length for road compliance.
2Ease of operation
If the wing sections are rotated forward to reduce width for transport, then the width is reduced for easier movement, but the distance between the hitch and axles increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of simply rotating the wings forward in a single arc, the linkage mechanism guides the wings through a compound motion that includes both forward rotation and rearward translation. This multi-dimensional movement path allows the wings to clear the road width while simultaneously moving rearward to compensate for the tongue length increase.
Solution Approach 2:
A linkage mechanism acts as an intermediary between the wing sections and the tongue, mediating the motion of the wings during folding. This linkage translates the forward rotation into a combined forward-and-rearward movement, ensuring that the reduction in width does not come at the cost of increased tongue length.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional joints and linkages are added to enable folding and pivoting, then the toolbar can be configured for transport, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage mechanism serves multiple functions: it enables the forward rotation of wings for width reduction, provides rearward translation to compensate for tongue length, and potentially assists in positioning the wings during both work and transport configurations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each function, thereby limiting the increase in complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural implement can be used to engage a field. Such engagement can be in a number of ways, including, but not limited to, ground engaging, application, drilling, precision agriculture, spreading, spraying, broadcasting, or the like. A number of row units with the engaging tools are positioned along a toolbar extending transversely to the direction of travel. To more easily transport the implement, and to comply with transportation rules and regulations, the toolbar can be folded about wing sections. This can be in multiple directions, including rotationally forward, rotationally vertical, and translationally rearward, which reduces the width of the implement and also minimizes the longitudinal distance between a hitch connecting the implement to a tow vehicle and the transport wheels of the implement.