Tractor-Mounted Weed Rotor With Curved Soles and Counter-Rotating Rollers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing weed-removing devices attached to tractors are not effective for low-height weeds and can trap tall weeds, making them inefficient for large agricultural areas, and manual uprooting is not profitable.

Innovation Solution

A weed-removing device attached to a tractor, featuring a rotor with radial arms and curved soles that rotate at a higher speed than the tractor, combined with two rollers rotating in the opposite direction, effectively uproots weeds by wedging them against the rollers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple rollers are used to remove weeds, then the device can handle various weed types, but tall weeds become trapped between the rollers and low-height weeds are not effectively removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweed height rangeVSAvoidweed removal effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor is segmented into multiple radial arms (at least three) spaced around the perimeter, each carrying a sole. This segmentation allows the rotor to engage weeds at multiple points simultaneously, effectively handling both low-height and tall weeds without trapping them between rollers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a planar roller configuration to a three-dimensional rotor structure with radial arms extending from a central shaft. The soles are positioned at different radial distances and angular positions, creating a volumetric engagement zone that accommodates weeds of varying heights and orientations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If manual uprooting is used, then all weeds can be removed effectively, but it is not profitable for large agricultural areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweed removal effectivenessVSAvoidprocessing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces manual mechanical uprooting with a mechanized rotor system driven by a motor. The rotor rotates at controlled speeds to mechanically engage and remove weeds through the action of soles on radial arms, providing both effectiveness and high productivity for large areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotor rotation speed is variable and can be adjusted based on operating conditions. The motor drives the rotor at speeds optimized for different weed types and ground conditions, maintaining effective weed removal while maximizing processing speed and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the rotor rotates at high speed, then weed removal efficiency increases, but the rotor must be precisely synchronized with tractor movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweed removal rateVSAvoidrotation control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor is driven by a motor that can be coupled to the tractor's power take-off (PTO) system. This allows the rotor to automatically receive rotational power from the moving tractor, with the rotation speed self-regulating based on tractor speed and PTO engagement, reducing the need for complex external control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The rotor rotation speed can be controlled based on feedback from tractor movement sensors or PTO speed sensors. This feedback mechanism ensures the rotor maintains optimal rotation speed relative to tractor forward speed, coordinating weed removal action with vehicle movement without requiring complex manual synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 device efficiently uproots weeds of varying heights by using the rotor to wedge the weeds against the rollers, ensuring effective removal without trapping tall weeds, thus addressing the inefficiencies of existing devices.

Implementation Method 1

the rotor soles jam the grass against said rollers... each of the soles is covered with an elastic lining. The elastic lining ensures that the grass is wedged against the rollers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

due to the difference in rotation speed, the grass is uprooted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRelative motion:

Data Source

PatentEP4559296A1Weed remover
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 BON ALAIN
  • EP4559296A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4559296A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4559296A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a weed-removing device which can be attached to a tractor. It comprises a chassis (3) carried by the tractor (2), on which are mounted: - on the one hand a rotor (4) comprising a transverse shaft (40), driven in rotation in the direction of rotation of the wheels (20) of the tractor (2) and at a higher rotation speed, carrying juxtaposed radial arms (5), angularly offset two by two, and the end of each of which consists of a curved sole (50), of curvature concentric to the shaft (40), - and on the other hand, behind and under the rotor (4), two juxtaposed rollers (6, 7), the axes of which are carried by a circle (B) concentric to the shaft (40) and so that the rollers (6, 7), which rotate in the opposite direction to that of the rotor (4), are flush with the soles (50), the one of the rollers (6, 7) arranged lowest, extending close to the ground (S).