Adjustable Axle Layout for Stable Wide-Width Trailed Harvesters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Trailed agricultural machines with two processing units face instability during maneuvers, leading to tipping risks, and product compaction issues due to wide working width, which affects efficiency and forage quality.

Innovation Solution

The axle device is configured to allow adjustable wheel spacing between tight and spread configurations, reducing the risk of tipping and minimizing product compaction by optimizing wheel placement during different operational positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the machine uses a large working width with two processing units, then productivity is improved, but stability during maneuvers deteriorates due to tipping risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking widthVSAvoidstability during maneuvers
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The axle device is made dynamically adjustable, allowing the spacing between wheels to be changed from a narrow configuration to a spread configuration. This dynamic adjustment enables the machine to optimize its stability characteristics during maneuvers while maintaining high productivity during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical parameter of wheel spacing is made variable. By changing the distance between wheels along the longitudinal axis, the machine can alter its center of gravity position and moment of inertia, thereby improving stability during maneuvers without compromising the large working width needed for productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the machine uses a large working width, then productivity is improved, but product compaction worsens due to wheels rolling over the windrow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking widthVSAvoidproduct compaction
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel spacing is made dynamically adjustable to spread the wheels apart during operation. This prevents the wheels from rolling over the windrow and causing product compaction, while still allowing the processing units to maintain a large working width for high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The machine divides the working width into two separate processing units with grouping members spaced apart. This segmentation allows each unit to handle product independently and deposit it in separate locations, preventing compaction while maintaining overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the wheel spacing is increased to improve stability, then stability during maneuvers is improved, but machine width during transport increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability during maneuversVSAvoidmachine width during transport
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The axle device allows dynamic adjustment of wheel spacing along the longitudinal axis of the machine. During maneuvers, wheels are positioned in a spread configuration to improve stability. During transport, wheels are repositioned in a narrow configuration to minimize machine width, satisfying both requirements through temporal separation of functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3973756B1Trailed agricultural machine for harvesting with an adjustable axle
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 KUHN SA
  • EP3973756B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3973756B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3973756B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a trailed agricultural harvester (1) for a crop, comprising a frame (2) on which are mounted, on the one hand, an axle assembly (4) connecting two wheels (5, 5') to the frame (2), and, on the other hand, two processing units (20, 20') each equipped with a respective grouping device (14, 14'), each processing unit (20, 20') being articulated with the frame (2) at least around a folding axis (30, 30') so as to be able to selectively occupy at least i) a working position, ii) a maneuvering position, and iii) a transport position. This agricultural harvester (1) is characterized in that the axle assembly (4) is configured such that the wheel spacing (EV) (5, 5') is adjustable, at least between a narrow and a wide configuration.