Tractor Pick-Up Hitch Storage Bracket Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural tractors with pick-up hitches face operator convenience issues due to inconvenient storage locations for hitch components, as current storage solutions are not adaptable for pick-up hitches and require additional effort to access.
Innovation Solution
A storage bracket attached to the underside of the pick-up hitch, providing separate elements for storing a hitch hook and drawbar, allowing easy access and changeover without interfering with other tractor components, and can be retrofitted to existing tractors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If components are stored in traditional locations (top of tractor or trumpet housing), then storage capacity is provided, but operator convenience deteriorates due to additional effort required in accessing storage locations
Solution Approach 1:
The storage bracket is positioned at a different spatial location (at the pick-up hitch rather than top of tractor or trumpet housing), changing the dimensional arrangement of storage components to be adjacent to the operational hitch area, thereby improving accessibility and operator convenience
Solution Approach 2:
The storage bracket pre-positions replacement components (hook or drawbar) directly at the pick-up hitch location, so that when component change is needed, the operator can immediately access the pre-positioned replacement without additional movement or searching, reducing time loss
2Ease of operation
If storage locations are positioned high on the tractor, then storage is provided for high and medium horsepower models, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in accessing high locations
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning storage high on the tractor body, the storage bracket is inverted to the low-positioned pick-up hitch area, allowing operators to access components at a convenient, low height rather than reaching high locations
3Adaptability or versatility
If a storage system is added to the tractor, then component storage capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components and attachment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The storage bracket is designed with universal coupling elements that can store either a hook or a drawbar, making it a multi-functional storage solution that adapts to different pick-up hitch configurations without requiring separate storage systems for each component type
Solution Approach 2:
The storage bracket merges the storage function directly with the pick-up hitch structure, combining two previously separate functions (hitch operation and component storage) into a single integrated assembly, thereby adding storage capability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
There is described an agricultural tractor having a component storage system. The storage system is provided in the form of a storage bracket which is attached to the pick-up hitch of the tractor. The storage bracket allows for the storage of components of the pick-up hitch when not in use, e.g. a pick-up hitch hook, a drawbar. As the bracket is attached to the pick-up hitch itself, the components are stored in a convenient location for the tractor operator, to allow for hitch components to be changed in a relatively fast manner.