Wing Frame Pivot Assembly for Narrow Transport Width
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional agricultural implements, such as planters and air-seeders, face challenges in narrowing their width during transportation without complex routing and hydraulic hardware, which is time-consuming and laborious.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wing assembly with an angled pivot that allows the agricultural implement to be oriented in a narrow transportation configuration, utilizing a coupling mechanism and actuator to pivotally couple wing frame sections to a main frame, enabling upward and inward movement between operational and stowed positions, and a locking mechanism to secure the stowed position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional narrowing systems are used with complex routing and hydraulic hardware, then the agricultural implement can be narrowed during transportation, but the system complexity and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex hydraulic routing and control hardware from the narrowing system, extracting only the essential mechanical components needed for wing frame movement. The simplification achieves narrowing capability while eliminating unnecessary system complexity through direct mechanical coupling rather than complex hydraulic infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing frames are designed to move and lock into position through their own mechanical weight and geometry rather than requiring external hydraulic power. The self-weight of the wing frames provides the force needed for movement, and the mechanical locking mechanism secures position without active hydraulic control, enabling the system to serve itself.
2Length of moving object
If conventional narrowing systems with hydraulic hardware are used, then the agricultural implement can be narrowed, but the time and labor required for narrowing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical design allows the wing frames to move and lock automatically through their own weight and geometric constraints, eliminating the need for time-consuming hydraulic operations. The system performs the narrowing action itself without requiring external power sources or complex control sequences, significantly reducing the time and labor needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The narrowing function is divided into simple mechanical segments - the wing frames move independently on their own axes - rather than requiring coordinated hydraulic systems. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function autonomously and simultaneously, reducing overall operation time.
3Device complexity
If wing frames move only horizontally during narrowing, then the structure is simpler, but the stability and compactness during transportation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces vertical movement as a second dimension to the wing frame motion, combining horizontal and vertical components. This dimensional change allows the wing frames to achieve a more compact and stable configuration during transportation by moving upward and inward simultaneously, rather than only horizontally, improving stability without significantly increasing structural complexity.
Data Source
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Figure 3A
AI summary
An agricultural implement (100, 300) is disclosed. The agricultural implement (100, 300) comprising: a main frame (320, 818); a wing frame section (322, 324, 816) pivotally coupled to the main frame (320, 818) about a main frame axis (810) and configured to move between an operational position and a stowed position; wherein the wing frame section (322, 324, 816) is configured to move upwardly and inwardly about the axis (810) and relative to the main frame (320, 818) when moving from the operational position to the stowed position.