Autonomous Tractor Top-Mounted Implement Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional farming methods using heavy tractors and large agricultural implements lead to soil compaction and reduced versatility due to the need for heavy counterweights and separate cranes for implement exchange.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous tractor with a lifting device that allows agricultural implements to be placed on top of the tractor, reducing the need for counterweights and enabling efficient implement exchange without external cranes, while maintaining versatility for various agricultural operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If heavy counterweights are added to balance the implement, then the tractor stability is improved, but the soil compaction risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding counterweights at the rear to balance the implement, the patent inverts the approach by placing the implement on top of the tractor. This reverses the weight distribution logic, eliminating the need for rear counterweights and reducing ground contact pressure that causes soil compaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from horizontal weight distribution (counterweights at rear) to vertical weight distribution (implement on top). By moving the implement from a horizontal towing position to a vertical top-mounted position, the weight is distributed over the entire tractor footprint rather than concentrated at the rear wheels, reducing soil compaction.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate cranes are used for implement exchange, then the implement loading capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the implement placement function with the tractor itself. The tractor's own lifting device and top surface are used to place and support the implement, merging the support and placement functions into a single integrated system rather than requiring separate external cranes.
Solution Approach 2:
The tractor serves itself by using its own lifting device and structural components to place and support the implement. The tractor's lifting device lifts the implement onto the tractor's top surface, and the tractor's bulk provides the supporting surface, eliminating the need for external service equipment.
3Device complexity
If the implement is carried by the lifting device, then the implement connection is simplified, but the lifting device load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the support function from the lifting device. Instead of the lifting device carrying the implement's weight during operation, the implement is placed on the tractor's top surface where the tractor's bulk provides support. The lifting device is only used for the temporary action of placing the implement, not for continuous support.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for cultivating a piece of farmland, includes providing an autonomous tractor having a lifting device for connecting an agricultural implement for performing an agricultural operation to the tractor and an engine for driving the implement, and crossing the farmland with the tractor while the agricultural implement is driven by the engine to cultivate the piece of farmland, wherein in a step preceding the cultivation of the farmland, the agricultural implement is put on top of the tractor with the lifting device, such that the centre of mass of the agricultural implement is within the footprint of the tractor, and in a second step the agricultural implement is operatively connected with the engine of the tractor, whereafter the farmland is crossed with the tractor while the agricultural implement is supported by the tractor and driven by the engine thereof to cultivate the piece of farmland.