Tractor Stabilizer Locking Bracket Bridge Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stabilizers for agricultural tractors' three-point hitch links face issues with the tension-resistant connection of stop surfaces, leading to potential breakage and increased weight, which complicates handling and reduces mobility, especially when transitioning from field use to public roads.
Innovation Solution
The stabilizer features a locking bracket with bridges connecting the stop surfaces, allowing direct force transmission and reducing bending moments, and is designed as a bent sheet metal or forged part to enhance strength and impact resistance, while maintaining low mass through weld seams and strategic overlap of forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the stop surfaces are firmly connected by a long bridge in the locking bracket, then the connection strength is improved, but the bending moment exposure increases and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking bracket is divided into multiple parts: the bridge connecting the stop surfaces, the abutment for the telescope, and the articulation point. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing the bending moment on the bridge while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge is positioned to overlap the contact surface of the abutment with the stop surface on the outside, creating a three-dimensional force transmission path. This spatial arrangement allows forces to be transmitted more directly, reducing the bending moment while maintaining connection strength.
2Strength
If the locking bracket is reinforced to prevent breakage, then the strength is improved, but the weight increases and handling becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The locking bracket is designed with local reinforcement only where needed - the bridge connecting the stop surfaces is strengthened to handle the specific loading conditions, while other parts of the bracket maintain their original mass. This localized approach prevents breakage without increasing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking bracket can be formed as a bent sheet metal part or forged part, utilizing material properties and forming processes to achieve high strength-to-weight ratio. The strategic overlap of forces allows the use of thinner, lighter materials while maintaining breaking strength.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the stabilizer provides elastic counteraction for floating coupling, then the field operation capability is improved, but the control stability on public roads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer features a dynamic locking system that can switch between two states: locked position for public road transport where lateral stability is prioritized, and unlocked position for field operation where floating coupling is needed. The locking bracket with its articulation and engagement mechanism provides this dynamic adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer serves multiple functions through the same basic structure: it provides elastic counteraction for floating coupling during field operation, and it provides rigid lateral stability during public road transport when locked. The locking bracket and telescope mechanism enable this multi-functionality without requiring separate systems.
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 enhances the stabilizer's ability to handle vertical loads without increasing weight, improving breaking strength and mobility, ensuring reliable operation in both field and public road conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The piston and the tube are resiliently coupled by at least one spring
Implementation Method 2
the piston has a thread in order to be able to adjust the length
Implementation Method 3
A locking bracket is held pivotably on the tube and, in a locking position, engages over at least one abutment of the piston
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A stabilizer (1) for a lower and/or upper link of a three-point linkage of an agricultural tractor has at least one telescopic section (8) consisting of a tube (5) and a piston (6). These are elastically coupled by at least one spring (7) and their length is adjustable by means of threads (12, 13). At least one locking bracket (15) is pivotably mounted on the tube (5) and can engage a support (17). To increase the load-bearing capacity of the stabilizer (1), the stop surfaces (18) of the locking bracket (15) are tensilely connected by at least one bridge (30). This bridge (30) engages at least one contact surface of the support (17) with the stop surface (18) on the outside.