Adjustable Agricultural Axle Linkage for Wheel Spacing Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural machines face challenges in adjusting wheel spacing during work and transport phases, leading to premature wear and malfunction of telescopic axles due to significant stresses, particularly parallel to the direction of advance, which results in uneven drying and lower quality of fodder.
Innovation Solution
A trailed or semi-mounted agricultural machine with a chassis-mounted axle device featuring movable and fixed parts connected by articulated links, allowing adjustable wheel spacing through sliding mechanisms along a longitudinal axis, with additional links to support longitudinal forces and reduce stress on the axle device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If telescopic axle constructions with square-section sliding surfaces are used to adjust wheel spacing, then wheel spacing adjustability is improved, but significant stresses parallel to the direction of advance cause premature wear and malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary element (the articulated link connecting the movable part to the chassis) that mediates the transmission of longitudinal forces. This link acts as a buffer that absorbs and redirects stresses away from the sliding surfaces of the telescopic axle, preventing direct stress concentration that would cause premature wear and malfunction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional direct sliding connection with a more sophisticated mechanical system comprising articulated links and pivots. This substitution transforms the simple sliding mechanism into a compound mechanical system where forces are distributed through multiple connection points, reducing the stress burden on any single sliding surface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If folding axle structures are used to adjust wheel spacing, then wheel spacing adjustability is improved, but the construction becomes complex and bulky particularly in length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic elements including movable parts that can slide along the longitudinal axis and articulated links that can pivot. These dynamic components allow the axle device to transform its configuration smoothly between different wheel spacing positions without requiring complex folding mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while achieving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated link serves multiple functions simultaneously: it connects the movable part to the chassis, transmits longitudinal forces, allows for pivoting motion during sliding, and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components that would increase complexity.
3Productivity
If maximum wheel spacing is achieved with telescopic axles, then working performance is improved, but significant stresses in torsion and parallel to front may damage the telescopic structure
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated link acts as a counterbalancing element that offsets the stresses generated at maximum wheel spacing. By providing an alternative load path through the pivoted connection to the chassis, the link counteracts the torsional and longitudinal forces that would otherwise concentrate on the telescopic sliding surfaces, protecting the structure from damage.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a trailed or semi-mounted agricultural machine (1) with a chassis (2) on which is mounted an axle device (4) connecting two wheels (5, 5') to said chassis (2), this axle device (4) comprising at least one movable part (6, 6') and a fixed part (7) so as to be able to modify the distance between the wheels (5, 5'), at least one of the wheels (5, 5') being integral with a movable part (6, 6') which is slidably connected along a longitudinal axis to the fixed part (7) integral with the chassis (2). This machine (1) is characterized in that the movable part or parts (6, 6') are further mechanically connected to the chassis (2) by a respective link (8, 8') which is articulated, on the one hand, with the movable part (6, 6') by a first articulation and, on the other hand, with the chassis (2) by a second articulation.