Variable Link Device for Agricultural Implement Frame Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural implements with rotatable frame sections face challenges such as increased force requirements and wear due to limited upward protrusions, which hinder full retraction and require more expensive components, and struggle to maintain even ground pressure and flexibility for varying terrain.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural implement design featuring a first and second frame section connected by a link device with variable length, utilizing resilient elements to pretension and distribute ground pressure, and an actuator system that adjusts lever arms for efficient retraction and extension, allowing for flexible shape changes and even ground contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the top side of the agricultural implement has limited upwardly protruding parts to allow full retraction, then the retraction range is improved, but the actuator requires increased force and more expensive components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the link device length variable rather than fixed. The link device can dynamically adjust its length during the retraction process, allowing the mechanism to optimize its mechanical advantage at different stages of motion. This dynamic adjustment enables full retraction range while reducing the peak force requirement on the actuator, as the variable geometry allows for more favorable lever arms during critical phases of the cycle.
2Device complexity
If the agricultural implement uses a fixed link device, then the structure is simpler, but it cannot maintain even ground pressure and flexibility for varying terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The link device incorporates variable length capability through telescopic sections or adjustable mechanisms, allowing it to dynamically adapt its geometry. This enables the agricultural implement to maintain even ground pressure distribution across varying terrain conditions while preserving relative structural simplicity. The variable geometry allows the mechanism to optimize contact points and force distribution without requiring completely complex active control systems.
3Force
If the agricultural implement uses expensive components with favorable lever arms, then the force requirement is reduced, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using expensive components with permanently optimized lever arms, the patent employs a variable geometry mechanism that dynamically adjusts the lever arm configuration. This approach achieves force reduction through intelligent geometry optimization during operation, rather than through expensive material or component choices. The variable link device allows the system to achieve favorable mechanical advantage at critical points in the cycle without requiring over-engineered components throughout.
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
The design enhances the implement's flexibility and reduces the force required for retraction and extension, while achieving a more even distribution of ground pressure, thereby minimizing wear and the need for expensive components.
Implementation Method 1
resilient elements to pretension and distribute ground pressure
Implementation Method 2
an actuator, which is arranged to produce a relative movement between the first frame section and the first link device
Implementation Method 3
The second link device has first and second portions which are movable relative to each other, so that a distance between the first and second portions is variable
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~4c
AI summary
The present document shows an agricultural implement (1 ) comprising: a first frame section (12a, 12b), a second frame section (13a, 13b), which is rotatably connected to the first frame section (12a, 12b), a first link device (19), which is movable relative to the first frame section, a second link device (20), which is connected to the first link device and also to the second frame section (13a, 13b), and an actuator (18), which is arranged to produce a relative movement between the first frame section (12a, 12b) and the first link device (19). The second link device (20) has first and second portions (203, 204) which are movable relative to each other, so that a distance between the first and second portions (203, 204) is variable. The document also shows a method of retracting or extending an agricultural implement.