Method and device for balancing wheels of agricultural vehicle with integrated safety system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device (1) for balancing a wheel of an agricultural vehicle, comprising a base (10) and at least one first balancing weight (11), said base and said balancing weight each being substantially disc-shaped, said base further having a first face (101) intended to be attached to a wheel of an agricultural vehicle and a second face (102) opposite the first face, the invention relates to a balancing weight assembly comprising a base (102) and a balancing weight (112), the balancing weight further having a first face (111) intended to be attached to the base and a second face (112) opposite the first face, characterized in that the second face (102) of the base and the first face (111) of the balancing weight are further configured to be assembled together by a threaded connection or by a bayonet mounting, the assembly comprising coupling the base and the balancing weight, one is then rotated relative to the other to a locked position along the wheel axis.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to the field of devices for counterweighting the wheels of agricultural vehicles, and related counterweighting methods.

[0002] Typically, agricultural vehicles (such as tractors) are designed to be multi-functional, used to drive a variety of different implements at variable speeds on various surfaces such as roads, paths, and fields.

[0003] In order to be able to transmit the required traction to utilize available power, they need to have sufficient weight when operating at low speeds, or, for example, when working on rugged terrain.

[0004] However, greater weight also means increased rolling resistance, especially on soft surfaces, which can lead to unnecessary power consumption, such as when driving uphill.

[0005] Furthermore, the greater the load a tire bears, the higher the inflation pressure required, which leads to a more pronounced compaction effect, thus hindering plant growth and requiring more energy to loosen these compacted areas.

[0006] Finally, because regulations limit the total allowable rolling weight, leaving the counterweight on the tractor will result in a reduction in the transportable payload.

[0007] In order to comply with the technical rules on counterweight and inflation that depend on factors such as speed, the usual practice is to add counterweight only when necessary so that the tractor can pull a given implement forward.

[0008] However, users tend to leave the counterweight on the tractor, which presents the disadvantages disclosed above when the counterweight is not easy to remove.

[0009] For the same reason, weight optimization is not always implemented, resulting in efficiency losses.

[0010] It is also known that cast iron counterweights are added to the rear wheel rims.

[0011] When these counterweights are a single piece, they are difficult to handle and do not allow for weight adjustment. They can be assembled from individual counterweights, but assembling and disassembling them one by one is very tedious. Indeed, this is because alignment holes are required each time to determine the center, and multiple attachment elements must be used.

[0012] To overcome some or all of these drawbacks, document EP326622B1 proposes an apparatus and method for very simple and very quick assembly and disassembly of one or more counterweights on the axle of an agricultural vehicle.

[0013] The principle is to attach the base to the axle of the agricultural vehicle, and then, when counterweight is needed, install the required number of counterweight blocks onto the base, which has a complementary shape. The components installed in this way are secured to the retaining element of the base using an adjustable key.

[0014] However, the device uses an additional component, namely the adjustable key, and does not address the issue of broken attachment components. Indeed, in the event of bolt breakage, these counterweights could detach from a moving tractor, potentially causing damage and hazard, especially on the road, for all road users.

[0015] For this reason, the purpose of this invention is to incorporate an additional, so-called second-level safety device to prevent the mounting bolts constituting the first-level safety device from breaking or loosening for any reason. This additional safety feature ensures that the wheel counterweights will not detach from the tractor even when the tractor is in motion.

[0016] The principle of this invention is to fix the elements by interlocking and rotating them relative to each other without using attachment elements, and then to permanently attach them using attachment elements (such as bolts).

[0017] Therefore, the present invention provides a counterweight method and apparatus using counterweights, which eliminates all or part of the above-mentioned disadvantages. The method and apparatus are adaptable to the number of counterweights used and are easy to use.

[0018] The present invention particularly relates to a device for counterweighting the wheels of agricultural vehicles, the device comprising a base and at least one first counterweight, the base and the counterweight being substantially disc-shaped, the base having a first face intended to be attached to the wheel of the agricultural vehicle and a second face opposite to the first face, and the counterweight having a first face intended to be attached to the base and a second face opposite to the first face, the second face of the base and the first face of the counterweight being configured to be assembled together by a threaded connection or by a bayonet mounting, the assembly comprising abutting and coupling the base and the counterweight together, and then rotating one relative to the other to a locked position along the wheel axis.

[0019] The following lists optional, supplementary, or alternative features of the present invention.

[0020] According to an improvement, the device includes a second counterweight similar to the first counterweight, the second side of the first counterweight being configured to assemble with the first side of the second counterweight via a threaded connection or via a bayonet mount, the assembly including abutting the first and second counterweights against each other and then rotating one relative to the other to a locked position along the wheel axle.

[0021] According to one specific embodiment, one of the second surface of the base or the first surface of the counterweight includes a generally tubular recess having an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel and having at least one radially inwardly projecting rib. The other of the first surface of the counterweight or the second surface of the base includes a generally cylindrical portion having an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel. This generally cylindrical portion is insertable into the recess and has at least one radially outwardly projecting rib, such that after inserting the generally cylindrical portion into the recess and rotating the base and the counterweight relative to each other until the rib is juxtaposed along an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, the base and the counterweight are locked together.

[0022] Advantageously, the recess and the basic cylindrical portion of the base or the first counterweight are each provided with two opposing ribs in the diametrical direction.

[0023] According to an improvement of this specific embodiment, one of the second or first faces of the first and second counterweights includes a generally tubular recess having an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel and having at least one radially inwardly projecting rib, while the other of the first or second faces of the first and second counterweights includes a generally cylindrical portion having an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, the generally cylindrical portion being insertable into the recess and having at least one radially outwardly projecting rib, such that after the generally cylindrical portion is inserted into the recess and the two counterweights are rotated relative to each other until the ribs are juxtaposed along an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, the counterweights are locked together.

[0024] Advantageously, the recesses and the generally cylindrical portions of the first and second counterweights are each provided with two opposing ribs in the diametrical direction.

[0025] Preferably, the base and (one or more) counterweights include abutment surfaces for defining a locking position along the wheel axle during bayonet mounting.

[0026] The device advantageously includes means for attaching the first counterweight to the base and means for attaching the counterweights to each other, such as bolts.

[0027] Depending on the specific configuration of the device, the base is a counterweight similar to at least one first counterweight and is designed to be directly attached to the wheels of agricultural vehicles.

[0028] Another object of the present invention is a method for counterweighting the wheels of an agricultural vehicle by means of a device conforming to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method comprises at least the following steps:

[0029] - Provides a base and at least one first counterweight, and optionally a second counterweight similar to the first counterweight.

[0030] - Attach the first side of the base to the wheel of the agricultural vehicle.

[0031] - Couple the second surface of the base to the first surface of the counterweight.

[0032] - Depending on whether it is a bayonet mounting operation or a threaded connection operation, rotate the base and the first counterweight relative to each other to a locked position along the wheel axle.

[0033] - In the locked position along the wheel axis, the first counterweight is attached to the base.

[0034] The following lists optional, supplementary, or alternative features of the present invention.

[0035] The method further includes the following steps:

[0036] - Couple the second face of the first counterweight to the first face of a second counterweight that is similar to the first counterweight.

[0037] - Depending on whether it is a bayonet-type installation or a threaded connection, the first and second counterweights are rotated relative to each other to a locked position along the wheel axle.

[0038] - In the locked position along the wheel axis, the second counterweight is attached to the first counterweight.

[0039] Preferably, for the right wheel of the agricultural vehicle, during threaded connection or bayonet installation, the rotation of the first counterweight relative to the base, or the rotation of the second counterweight relative to the first counterweight, is in the opposite direction to the counterclockwise direction.

[0040] Preferably, for the left wheel of the agricultural vehicle, during threaded connection or bayonet installation, the rotation of the first counterweight relative to the base, or the rotation of the second counterweight relative to the first counterweight, is in a counterclockwise direction.

[0041] Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from a study of the detailed description of the completely non-limiting embodiments and examples, as well as the following figures:

[0042] [ Figure 1 The figure schematically shows a side sectional view of a counterweight device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] [ Figure 2 The figure schematically shows a front view of a counterweight device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] [ Figure 3 The figure schematically shows a cross-sectional perspective view of a counterweight device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] [ Figure 4 The figure schematically shows a perspective view of a base according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] [ Figure 5 The figure schematically shows a front view of a base according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] [ Figure 6 The figure schematically shows a front view of a counterweight block according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] [ Figure 7 The figure schematically shows a side sectional view of a counterweight block according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] For clarity and simplicity, the labels in the diagram correspond to the same elements.

[0050] The embodiments disclosed below are not limiting in any way. In particular, variations of the invention may be envisioned that contain only a selection of the disclosed features, separate from other disclosed features, even if such selection is presented separately in a statement that includes other features, provided that the selection of features alone is sufficient to provide a technical benefit or to distinguish the invention from the prior art. This selection may include at least one preferred functional feature that lacks structural detail or has only partial structural detail, if that portion is sufficient to provide a technical benefit or to distinguish the invention from the prior art.

[0051] [ Figure 1 A side sectional view of a counterweight device according to one embodiment is shown schematically.

[0052] The principle of this invention is to fix the base against the counterweight without using attachment elements, and then permanently attach them using attachment elements (such as bolts). This invention adds a second level of security on top of the first level of security provided by the attachment elements.

[0053] The device 1 includes a base 10, a first counterweight 11 and a second counterweight 11', the second counterweight being similar in geometry to the first counterweight (but not necessarily the same in weight).

[0054] The base and counterweight are both basically disc-shaped.

[0055] The coordinate system represents the axis (y) of the agricultural vehicle wheels, the vertical axis (z), and the axis (x) of the agricultural vehicle's trajectory.

[0056] The base also has a first surface 101 designed for attachment to the wheels of agricultural vehicles, more specifically to the wheel axle 2 (e.g., […]). Figure 2 As shown in the figure), and the second surface 102 opposite to the first surface.

[0057] The first counterweight 11 has a first surface 111 attached to a second surface 102 of the base and a second surface 112 opposite to the first surface, while the second counterweight 11' has a first surface 111' attached to a second surface 112 of the first counterweight and a second surface 112' attached to a first surface opposite to the first surface and intended to abut against another counterweight (not shown).

[0058] According to the invention, the second surface 102 of the base and the first surface 111 of the counterweight are further configured to be assembled together by threaded connection or by bayonet mounting.

[0059] Therefore, the assembly includes bringing the base and the counterweight together, and then rotating one relative to the other to a locked position along the wheel axis.

[0060] Therefore, whether by threaded connection or by bayonet mounting, the second surface 102 of the base needs to press against the first surface 111 of the counterweight 11, and then one is rotated relative to the other to achieve a locked position along the wheel axis, in which they can no longer be separated.

[0061] "Bay-lock installation" refers to an installation method in which one of two components to be assembled is pushed onto the other component and then rotated to lock the components in place.

[0062] This locking position along the wheel axis corresponds to the position where the base and the first counterweight can no longer be separated.

[0063] Based on improvements, such as [ Figure 3 As shown, the first counterweight 11 is configured to be assembled with the first surface 111' of the second counterweight 11' by means of a threaded connection or by means of a bayonet mounting.

[0064] according to Figure 4 , 5 In the embodiments shown in 6 and 7, the second surface 102 of the base includes a generally tubular recess 105 having an axis that is generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, and is provided with at least one rib 103 that protrudes radially inward (i.e. toward the y-axis direction).

[0065] The first face 112 of the counterweight includes a generally cylindrical portion 116 having an axis (y) generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, which can be inserted into the recess 105 and is provided with at least one radially outward (i.e., in the direction opposite to the y-axis) protruding rib 117. The generally cylindrical portion 116 may be, for example, tubular or longitudinally truncated tubular.

[0066] Therefore, after inserting the basic cylindrical portion 116 into the recess 105 and rotating the base 10 and the counterweight 11 relative to each other, a locked position along the wheel axis is obtained, in which the ribs 103 and 117 are juxtaposed, that is, aligned side by side along an axis (y) that is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel.

[0067] Therefore, the base 10 and the counterweight 11 are locked together.

[0068] Advantageously, to ensure the safety of the bayonet installation, the recess 115 of the base 10 and the basic cylindrical portion 116 of the first counterweight 11 are each provided with two opposing ribs in the diametrical direction.

[0069] More ribs with appropriate circumferential distribution can be set.

[0070] Therefore, according to an alternative not shown in the figure, the base may be equipped with a generally cylindrical portion having one or more outwardly pointing ribs, and the first surface of the counterweight may include a recess having one or more inwardly pointing ribs.

[0071] According to a variant not shown in the figure, the basic cylindrical portion 116 may contain a helical thread, while the recess 105 contains a corresponding helical groove.

[0072] Therefore, in this variant, the first face 111 of the counterweight 11 and the second face 102 of the base 10 are assembled by a threaded connection.

[0073] According to one improvement, the counterweight also ensures safety by using attachment elements (such as bolts) for permanent attachment.

[0074] according to Figure 4 , 5 In the embodiments shown in 6 and 7, the second surfaces 112, 112' of the first counterweight 11 and the second counterweight 11' include a generally tubular recess 115 having an axis (y) that is generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, and having at least one radially inwardly projecting rib 113, 113'.

[0075] The first faces 111, 111' of the first and second counterweights include generally cylindrical portions 116, 116', which have an axis (y) that is generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, can be inserted into the recesses 115, 115' and are provided with at least one radially outward protruding rib 117, 117'.

[0076] After inserting the basic cylindrical portion into the recess and rotating the two counterweights relative to each other, the ribs are juxtaposed, that is, aligned along an axis (y) that is basically parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel.

[0077] The counterweights 11 and 11' are thus locked together.

[0078] It should be understood that the recesses 105, 115 and 115' in the base and in the counterweight are similar, so that the counterweight can be assembled on the base or assembled on each other.

[0079] Advantageously, to further ensure the safety of the components, the recesses 115, 115' and the generally cylindrical portions 116, 116' of the first and second counterweights 11, 11' are each provided with two opposing ribs in the diametrical direction.

[0080] More ribs with appropriate circumferential distribution can be set.

[0081] According to a variant not shown in the figure, the basic cylindrical portions 116, 116' may contain helical threads, while the recesses 115, 115' may contain corresponding helical grooves.

[0082] Therefore, in this variant, the second face 112 of the first counterweight 11 and the first face 111' of the second counterweight 11' are assembled by a threaded connection.

[0083] Advantageously, the base 10 and the arrangement of (one or more) counterweights 11 include abutment surfaces for defining a locking position along the wheel axle during bayonet mounting or threaded connection. These abutment surfaces are distributed within recesses 105, 115, 115' in the form of thickened portions. During bayonet mounting, when the ribs are juxtaposed, these thickened portions prevent the components from rotating relative to each other beyond the locking position along the wheel axle.

[0084] The device advantageously includes means 3, such as bolts, for attaching the first counterweight 11 to the base and for attaching the counterweights to each other. For this purpose, the base and the counterweights have holes that allow the insertion of bolts or any other equivalent when these holes are aligned.

[0085] According to one specific configuration of the device, the base is a counterweight similar to at least one first counterweight 11, which is designed to be directly attached to the wheel of an agricultural vehicle. The device requires no special components when installing the counterweight onto the wheel. Indeed, these counterweights are suitable for direct attachment to the wheel axle 2 by means of bolt-type attachment elements 3.

[0086] The counterweights that can be used in this invention are castings and do not require precise dimensions, as they are only intended to be mounted on a base and assembled together.

[0087] The weight of these cast iron counterweights can range from tens of kilograms, such as 25 kg, 50 kg, and 125 kg, for small tractors, to hundreds of kilograms, such as 200 kg, for larger tractors. Their assembly can result in a counterweight weight of over one ton per wheel.

[0088] The method for counterweighting agricultural vehicle wheels using the device conforming to the present invention shall now be performed by following the steps disclosed below.

[0089] A base 10 is provided, along with at least one first counterweight 11 and optionally a second counterweight 11' similar to the first counterweight.

[0090] Then the first surface 101 of the base is attached to the wheel of the agricultural vehicle.

[0091] Next, the second surface 102 of the base is coupled to the first surface 111 of the counterweight.

[0092] Then, depending on the bayonet installation operation or the threaded connection operation, the base and the first counterweight are rotated relative to each other to a locked position along the wheel axle.

[0093] Finally, with the aid of attachment element 3, the first counterweight is attached to the base in the locked position along the wheel axis.

[0094] The method also includes the following steps, even when the counterweights are assembled together.

[0095] Then the second face 112 of the first counterweight is coupled to the first face 111' of the second counterweight 11', which is similar to the first counterweight 11.

[0096] Then, depending on the bayonet installation operation or the threaded connection operation, the first and second counterweights are rotated relative to each other to a locked position along the wheel axle.

[0097] Finally, with the aid of attachment element 3, in the locked position along the wheel axis, the second counterweight is attached to the first counterweight.

[0098] Preferably, for the right wheel of the agricultural vehicle, the rotation of the first counterweight relative to the base, or the rotation of the second counterweight relative to the first counterweight, is in the opposite direction to the counterclockwise direction.

[0099] Thus, in the event of the attachment device 3 breaking, the wheel driving force in the direction of travel of the agricultural vehicle keeps the counterweight in a locked position along the wheel axis.

[0100] Preferably, for the left wheel of the agricultural vehicle, the rotation of the first counterweight relative to the base, or the rotation of the second counterweight relative to the first counterweight, is in a counterclockwise direction.

[0101] Thus, in the event of the attachment device 3 breaking, the wheel driving force in the direction of travel of the agricultural vehicle keeps the counterweight in a locked position along the wheel axis.

[0102] Note that various features, forms, variations, and embodiments of the present invention can be combined in various ways as long as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0103] List of reference numerals

[0104] 1. Counterweight device

[0105] 10 bases

[0106] 11 First counterweight

[0107] 11' Second counterweight

[0108] 101 The first face of the base

[0109] 102 The second face of the base

[0110] 103 Ribs in the base

[0111] 105 Recess of the base

[0112] 111 The first face of the first counterweight

[0113] 111' First face of the second counterweight

[0114] 112 The second face of the first counterweight

[0115] 112' Second face of the second counterweight

[0116] 113 Rib in the recess of the first weight

[0117] 113' Rib in the recess of the second counterweight

[0118] 115 Recessed portion of the first counterweight

[0119] 115' Recessed portion of second counterweight

[0120] 116 The basic cylindrical part of the first counterweight

[0121] 116' The basic cylindrical part of the second counterweight

[0122] 117 Ribs in the cylindrical portion of the first counterweight

[0123] 117' Ribs in the cylindrical portion of the second counterweight

[0124] 2 wheel axles

[0125] 3. Attachment devices (bolts)

Claims

1. A device (1) for counterweighting the wheels of an agricultural vehicle, the device comprising a base (10) and at least one first counterweight (11), the base and the counterweight being substantially disc-shaped, the base having a first surface (101) intended to be attached to the wheel of the agricultural vehicle and a second surface (102) opposite to the first surface, and the counterweight having a first surface (111) intended to be attached to the base and a second surface (112) opposite to the first surface, characterized in that, The second side (102) of the base (10) and the first side (111) of the counterweight are also configured to be assembled together by a threaded connection or by a bayonet mounting, the assembly including abutting the base and the counterweight against each other and then rotating one relative to the other to a locked position along the wheel axis.

2. The device (1) for counterweighting agricultural vehicle wheels according to claim 1, the device comprising a second counterweight (11') similar to the first counterweight, characterized in that, The second side (112) of the first counterweight (11) is configured to be assembled with the first side (111') of the second counterweight (11') by means of a threaded connection or by means of a bayonet mounting, the assembly including abutting the first counterweight and the second counterweight against each other and then rotating one relative to the other to a locked position along the wheel axis.

3. The device (1) for counterweighting agricultural vehicle wheels according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, One of the second surface (102) of the base or the first surface (111) of the counterweight includes a generally tubular recess (105, 115) having an axis (y) generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel and having at least one radially inwardly projecting rib (103, 113), while the other of the first surface (111) of the counterweight or the second surface (102) of the base includes a generally cylindrical portion (116) having an axis (y) generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, insertable into the recess and having at least one radially outwardly projecting rib (117), such that after inserting the generally cylindrical portion into the recess and rotating the base (10) and the counterweight (11) relative to each other until the ribs are juxtaposed along an axis (y) generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, the base (10) and the counterweight (11) are locked together.

4. The device for counterweighting agricultural vehicle wheels according to claim 3, characterized in that, The recess (115) of the base (10) or the first counterweight (11) and the basic cylindrical portion (116) are each provided with two opposing ribs in the diametrical direction.

5. The device for counterweighting the wheels of agricultural vehicles according to claim 2 and any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, One of the second or first faces of the first and second counterweights (11, 11') includes a generally tubular recess (115) having an axis (y) generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel and having at least one radially inwardly projecting rib (113), while the other of the first or second faces of the first and second counterweights includes a generally cylindrical portion (116) having an axis (y) generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, insertable into the recess (115) and having at least one radially outwardly projecting rib (117), such that after inserting the generally cylindrical portion into the recess and rotating the two counterweights relative to each other until the ribs are juxtaposed along an axis (y) generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel, the counterweights (11, 11') are locked together.

6. The device for counterweighting agricultural vehicle wheels according to claim 5, characterized in that, The recess (115) and the basic cylindrical portion (116) of the first and second counterweights (11, 11') are each provided with two opposing ribs in the diametrical direction.

7. The device (1) for counterweighting the wheels of an agricultural vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The base (10) and one or more counterweights (11) include abutment surfaces for defining a locking position along the wheel axis during the bayonet mounting.

8. The device (1) for counterweighting the wheels of an agricultural vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, It includes means (3) for attaching the first counterweight (11) to the base and means (3) for attaching the counterweights to each other, such as bolts.

9. The device (1) for counterweighting the wheels of an agricultural vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The base is a counterweight similar to the at least one first counterweight (11) and is intended to be directly attached to the wheels of the agricultural vehicle.

10. A method for counterweighting the wheels of an agricultural vehicle using a device conforming to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The method includes at least the following steps: - Provides a base (10) and at least one first counterweight (11), and optionally a second counterweight (11') similar to the first counterweight. - Attach the first surface (101) of the base to the wheel of the agricultural vehicle. - The second surface (102) of the base is coupled to the first surface (111) of the counterweight. - Depending on whether it is a bayonet-type installation or a threaded connection, the base and the first counterweight are rotated relative to each other to a locked position along the wheel axle. - In the locked position along the wheel axis, the first counterweight is attached (F) to the base.

11. The method for counterweighting agricultural vehicle wheels according to claim 10, characterized in that, The method further includes the following steps: - Couple the second face (112) of the first counterweight to the first face (111') of a second counterweight (11') similar to the first counterweight (11). - Depending on whether it is a bayonet-type installation or a threaded connection, the first counterweight and the second counterweight are rotated relative to each other to a locked position along the wheel axle. - In the locked position along the wheel axis, the second counterweight is attached (F) to the first counterweight.

12. The method for counterweighting the wheels of agricultural vehicles according to any one of claims 10 to 11, characterized in that, For the right wheel of the agricultural vehicle, the rotation of the first counterweight relative to the base, or the rotation of the second counterweight relative to the first counterweight, is in the opposite direction to the counterclockwise direction.

13. The method for counterweighting the wheels of agricultural vehicles according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, For the left wheel of the agricultural vehicle, the rotation of the first counterweight relative to the base, or the rotation of the second counterweight relative to the first counterweight, is in a counterclockwise direction.

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