Agricultural Trailer Dual Pivot Axis Transport Height

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural trailer devices, such as rear mowers, face challenges in achieving a larger working width while maintaining compliance with road traffic regulations for transport dimensions, particularly in height, without requiring separate swivel axes for transport and collision safety.

Innovation Solution

The trailer device employs a dual pivot axis system, where the boom is articulated about a first pivot axis for working to transport position transitions and a second pivot axis for both transport position shifting and collision protection, combined with a double-acting and single-acting working cylinder setup, allowing for compact design and reduced height in transport positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the working width of the rear mower is increased, then the productivity is improved, but the transport height exceeds the defined dimensions for road traffic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking widthVSAvoidtransport height
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The boom is divided into two parts (first boom part and second boom part) that can pivot independently relative to each other about a second pivot axis. This segmentation allows the second boom part to be folded backwards during transport, reducing the overall transport height while maintaining the full working width capability during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The boom configuration is made dynamic with two pivot axes: the first pivot axis for vertical elevation control and the second pivot axis for forward/backward folding. This dynamic structure enables the boom to adapt its configuration between working position (maximum width) and transport position (reduced height), resolving the contradiction between productivity and transport compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a separate swivel axis is added for transport position shifting, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport position shiftingVSAvoidnumber of swivel axes
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The second pivot axis serves multiple functions: it enables the boom to fold forward for collision protection in the working position, and it enables the boom to fold backward for reduced-height transport positioning. By making this single pivot axis multi-functional, the design achieves transport position shifting capability without adding extra swivel axes, thus maintaining structural simplicity while improving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the boom is made articulated with dual pivot axes, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition transitionsVSAvoidarticulated structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The second pivot axis is designed to serve dual purposes: collision protection (folding forward) and transport positioning (folding backward). This multi-functionality means that while the structure has two pivot axes, one of them handles multiple operations, reducing the overall operational complexity compared to having separate dedicated mechanisms for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3266292B1Agricultural trailer and traction combination with such a trailer
Publication Date: 2022.01.05 CLAAS SAULGAU GMBH
  • EP3266292B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3266292B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3266292B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

Agricultural implement (10), in particular a rear-mounted mower, for an agricultural tractor, which can be coupled to the rear of the tractor (11) and moved by the tractor (11), wherein the implement (10) has at least one implement unit (14) which can be moved between a working position and a transport position such that the respective implement unit (14) can be pivoted from the working position, in which it extends substantially in a horizontal direction and projects laterally relative to the tractor (11), about a first pivot axis (17) extending in or approximately in the direction of travel by about 90°, preferably more than 90°, upwards into a transport position, in which it extends substantially in a vertical or vertical-diagonal direction, wherein the respective implement unit (14) can additionally be moved such thatthat the respective attachment unit (14) is pivotable about a second pivot axis (18) so that the attachment unit (14) is pivoted to the rear or forward in the transport position with respect to the direction of travel.