Agricultural Upper Link Telescopic Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural machinery connected to tractors via three-point hitch systems face challenges in quickly and easily transitioning between working and transport positions, often requiring manual unhooking and rehooking of the upper connecting rod, which is cumbersome and costly, and results in increased weight and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The upper connecting rod incorporates a cylinder, a rod, an elastic device, and a selector that allows quick positioning for either working or transport configurations, enabling a rigid coupling to the tractor and freedom of movement during transport, thus allowing the machine to follow ground unevenness without significant weight increase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the upper connecting rod is manually unhooked and rehooked to transition between working and transport positions, then the machine can change configuration, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The upper connecting rod incorporates a telescopic mechanism with a selector valve that allows dynamic adjustment between rigid (working) and floating (transport) positions. The hydraulic cylinder enables the rod to extend and retract automatically, eliminating manual unhooking and rehooking operations while facilitating quick configuration transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
A hydraulic cylinder is integrated into the upper connecting rod to provide automated extension and retraction. The selector valve controls hydraulic fluid flow to position the rod in either the working or transport configuration, replacing manual operations with automated hydraulic actuation for faster transitions.
2Ease of operation
If a specific coupling device with two-part jib is used to enable quick transitions, then the configuration change becomes easier, but the weight and purchase cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The upper connecting rod is divided into a telescopic structure with an inner rod and outer cylinder. The rod can be segmented into extended and retracted positions, allowing the same component to serve both working and transport configurations without requiring a separate two-part jib coupling device, thereby avoiding additional weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper connecting rod is designed as a multi-functional component that automatically adapts to both working and transport configurations through its telescopic mechanism. This universal design eliminates the need for specialized coupling devices, reducing overall machine weight while maintaining ease of operation for configuration transitions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the upper connecting rod remains rigid during transport, then structural stability is maintained, but the machine cannot follow road unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The upper connecting rod transitions from a rigid state during working operations to a floating state during transport. The telescopic mechanism allows the rod to move freely in the floating position, enabling the machine to follow road unevenness while maintaining structural integrity when needed in the rigid position.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the upper connecting rod is changed between rigid and floating configurations. By altering the extension position of the telescopic rod and locking/unlocking the selector, the system adapts its stiffness parameter to match operational requirements: rigid for stability during work, floating for adaptability during transport.
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
Enables rapid and simple transitions between working and transport positions at a lower cost, with reduced weight impact, allowing the machine to effectively follow road unevenness during transport while maintaining stability during work.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic device (18) which allows the rod (17) to move freely in the cylinder (16)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The linkage (1) has a rod (17) connected to a flange (23) by a selector (19) e.g. pin, where the linkage connects an upper hitch point (6) of a coupling device of an agricultural machine to an upper support point (9) of a tractor. An elastic device e.g. spring, is connected to a cylinder (16) by a bolt (21) and the flange. The agricultural machine is mounted via a three-point hitch during work and semi-mounted during transport.