Automatically Adjustable Axle Oscillation Stops for Agricultural Combines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural combines face challenges in maintaining ground contact and minimizing ground compaction due to varying terrain and wheel dimensions, with existing axle oscillation stops not easily adjustable for different wheel and tire configurations, especially in future combines with extendable and retractable rear axles.
Innovation Solution
An automatically adjustable oscillation stop system for rear axles, utilizing sensors and an electronic control unit to digitally calculate and adjust stop positions based on axle extension and wheel positions, preventing damage to the combine's components during pivoting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the axle oscillation stop position is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different wheel and tire configurations or axle extensions
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillation stop system transitions from a fixed mechanical position to a dynamically adjustable position through electronic control. The stop can be repositioned along the axle based on sensor feedback about wheel dimensions and axle extension status, allowing the system to adapt to different configurations while maintaining a relatively simple physical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the oscillation stop to match different operating conditions. By electronically controlling the stop position based on detected wheel and tire dimensions, the system achieves versatility without requiring multiple physical stop components for each configuration.
2Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of oscillation stops is required for each wheel change, then manufacturing is simple, but operation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment of the oscillation stop position automatically. Sensors detect the wheel and tire configuration, and the electronic control system independently determines and executes the appropriate stop position without requiring manual intervention from the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensor feedback to continuously monitor wheel position and axle extension status. This feedback loop enables the electronic control unit to automatically calculate and adjust the optimal oscillation stop position based on real-time conditions, eliminating manual measurement and adjustment time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the axle is made extendable to accommodate larger wheels, then versatility improves, but the risk of component damage during pivoting increases without corresponding stop adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary adjustment of the oscillation stop position before the axle is extended or larger wheels are installed. Sensors detect the intended wheel configuration, and the electronic control system pre-positions the stops to appropriate locations that will prevent component damage during subsequent pivoting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from sensors monitoring axle extension position and wheel dimensions to dynamically adjust the oscillation stop positions. This ensures that the stops are always positioned correctly relative to the current axle configuration, preventing mechanical components from contacting the combine body during pivoting.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatically adjustable axle stop of an agricultural combine (100) includes a sensor (222, 224) to sense the position of an extendible axle (200) supported on the chassis (214) of the agricultural combine (100) at a pivot coupling (206), the extendable axle (200) being configured to pivot about a longitudinal pivotal axis (208) with respect to the chassis (214), an electronic control unit (400) to read the sensor (222, 224), to calculate a stop position based at least on the sensor signal, and to control an axle oscillation stop (210, 212) in order to limit the range of pivoting of the extendible axle (200) about the pivotal axis (208).