Agricultural Row Units with Variable Elasticity Leaf Springs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural devices with differently positioned row units experience varying contact forces and working depths due to offset arrangements, leading to inconsistent performance when encountering obstacles and maintaining field depth.
Innovation Solution
The use of elastic leaf spring elements with varying elasticities to connect row units to a support structure, allowing for adjustable bearing forces and working depths, enabling consistent contact forces and depths despite offset positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If row units are arranged offset from one another to optimize field coverage, then productivity is improved, but the bearing forces and working depths become inconsistent across different row units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by equipping different row units with connecting elements of different elasticities. Specifically, row units at different offset positions have connecting elements tailored to their specific mechanical conditions, allowing each to maintain optimal contact force and working depth despite their different positions in the offset arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the elasticity parameter of connecting elements to compensate for positional variations. By adjusting the elasticity of connecting elements based on the offset distance and mechanical load conditions of each row unit, the system maintains uniform bearing forces and working depths across all row units while preserving the productive offset arrangement.
2Device complexity
If identical rubber cord mountings are used for all row units, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the bearing forces and working depths cannot be adapted to different row unit positions
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using identical mountings for all row units, the patent implements local quality by selecting connecting elements with different elasticities for different row unit positions. This allows the mounting system to be adapted to the specific mechanical conditions of each position while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by making the connecting elements elastic rather than rigid. This elasticity allows the system to dynamically adapt to different positional conditions and load variations, providing the necessary adaptability for row units at different offset positions while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Productivity
If row units with different protrusion distances are used to optimize field coverage, then productivity is improved, but the bearing forces and working depths vary significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by matching the elasticity of connecting elements to the specific protrusion distance and mechanical conditions of each row unit. Row units with greater protrusion distances are equipped with connecting elements having appropriate elasticity values to compensate for the increased leverage and maintain uniform bearing forces across all row units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the elasticity parameter of connecting elements as a function of the row unit's protrusion distance. By adjusting this parameter based on the offset position, the system compensates for the varying mechanical conditions and maintains consistent bearing forces and working depths despite the different protrusion distances required for optimal field coverage.
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 solution ensures uniform contact forces and working depths across row units, allowing for effective operation over obstacles and maintaining desired field depth while accommodating different elastic properties through adjustable leaf spring elements.
Implementation Method 1
The connecting elements of the first group and the connecting elements of the second group exhibit different elasticities (e.g., stiffnesses, bending stiffnesses, hardnesses and/or spring characteristics)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to an agricultural device (100), preferably a seed drill and/or tillage machine, comprising a support structure (10), a first group (G1) of row units, wherein the row units of the first group (G1) are connected to the support structure (10) by means of elastic connecting elements (1), and a second group (G2) of row units, wherein the row units of the second group (G2) are connected to the support structure (10) by means of elastic connecting elements (2). The agricultural device (1) is characterized in particular by the fact that the connecting elements (1) of the first group (G1) and the connecting elements (2) of the second group (G2) are designed as leaf spring elements (1, 2) and have different elasticities, preferably allowing the bearing forces and/or working depths of the row units of the first group (G1) and the second group (G2) to be adapted to one another.