Mechanism for horizontal positioning of GPS module in field and road mode
AssigneeCNH Industrial Belgium N.V.
InventorsStefan Longueville, Ruben Vancoillie
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mounting mechanism for a signal-receiving module for an agricultural harvester includes a folding four-bar linkage having a ground link fixed to the folding cover of a grain tank. The mechanism holds the signal receiving module in a horizontal position at the highest position above the agricultural harvester when the grain tank cover is in the both the open and closed positions. Also, a kit for mounting a signal-receiving module to a folding grain tank cover on an agricultural harvester, a grain tank for an agricultural harvester including the mounting mechanism, and an agricultural harvester including the mounting mechanism.
Claims15
A mounting mechanism for a signal-receiving module for an agricultural harvester, said mounting mechanism comprising:
- a folding four-bar linkage, the linkage comprising a ground link, a coupler link, a first crank link, and a second crank link shorter than the first crank link,
- wherein the ground link is joined at a first end by a pivot joint to a first end of the first crank link and at an opposite end by a pivot joint to a first end of the second crank link, the ground link configured to be fixed to a folding cover of a grain tank of the agricultural harvester;
- wherein the coupler link is joined at a first end by a pivot joint to an opposite end of the first crank link and at an opposite end by a pivot joint to an opposite end of the second crank link, the coupler link comprising a platform configured to hold the signal-receiving module;
- wherein one of either the first crank link or the second crank link comprises a lever extending past the pivot joint joining the crank link to the ground link, the lever configured to contact a fixed surface on the agricultural harvester to force the mechanism into a folded position from a deployed position as the grain tank cover is moved from an open position to a closed position;
- wherein the mechanism in the deployed position holds the signal receiving module in a horizontal position above the grain tank cover when the grain tank cover is in the open position;
- and
- wherein the mechanism in the folded position holds the signal-receiving module in a horizontal position above the grain tank cover when the grain tank cover is in the closed position.
An agricultural harvester comprising a grain storage tank having a folding grain tank cover, wherein the cover comprises a mounting mechanism for a signal-receiving module for the agricultural harvester,
- wherein the mechanism comprises a folding four-bar linkage, the linkage comprising a ground link, a coupler link, a first crank link, and a second crank link shorter than the first crank link,
- wherein the ground link is joined at a first end by a pivot joint to a first end of the first crank link and at an opposite end by a pivot joint to a first end of the second crank link, the ground link being fixed to the folding cover of a grain tank;
- wherein the coupler link is joined at a first end by a pivot joint to an opposite end of the first crank link and at an opposite end by a pivot joint to an opposite end of the second crank link, the coupler link comprising a platform configured to hold the signal-receiving module;
- wherein one of either the first crank link or the second crank link comprises a lever extending past the pivot joint joining the crank link to the ground link, the lever configured to contact a fixed surface on the agricultural harvester to force the mechanism into a folded position from a deployed position as the grain tank cover is moved from an open position to a closed position;
- wherein the mechanism in the deployed position holds the signal receiving module in a horizontal position above the grain tank cover when the grain tank cover is in the open position;
- and
- wherein the mechanism in the folded position holds the signal-receiving module in a horizontal position above the grain tank cover when the grain tank cover is in the closed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.